July/August 2003 - Galena State Bank - Gear Street (Galena, IL)

Elements: Lawn (sod & seed), erosion control, planting, plant maintenance

The new Galena State Bank building on Gear Street in Galena, IL opened in 1996. In the fall of that year, we installed a sod and seed lawn, an erosion control seed mix for the steep hillside east of the bank and numerous plantings throughout the property. We often use the bank, which was one of our first large commercial projects, as a real life example for prospective clients to view. A large, diverse property that has matured much as we planned, we feel it is the best commercial landscape in the area. Yes, gentle reader, we are a perfectly objective judge without any self serving biases.

Developed after discussions with bank president Jerry Murdock and Libby Miller, the planting plan reflects the traditional and timeless look of the large brick bank building. Old fashion trees such as maples, pines and crabapples frame the bank building. The mix of shrubs will bloom or have interest (e.g. berries or fall foliage) throughout the year. Please see the below flower and interest schedule:

SPRING: crabapples, lilacs, chokeberry, sand cherry & viburnum

SUMMER: spirea & potentilla

FALL: burning bush (foliage), chokeberry (berries & foliage), viburnum (berries & foliage), crabapples (berries), maples (foliage)

WINTER: pines, yews, arborvitae, chokeberry (berries), viburnum (berries), crabapples (berries)

One of the biggest challenges at the site was the steep slope east of the bank. The slope, which approaches a 1:1 grade in places, was established by using a fescue seed mix with a deep, aggressive root system, erosion control fabric and a little luck with the weather.

We would like to thank the Galena State Bank and Jerry Murdock for allowing us to show you their landscape.

PLEASE CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE.