Testimonials
"John Beaudry has the gift of vision. Over 20 years ago, John transformed my ordinary and neglected yard into a park. Today, its graceful, curving beds still have perfect appeal!"
- G.T.
"John is a great designer. He is very creative, professional, and has extensive knowledge of perennials, shrubs and trees unique to your region. He is easy to work with, kind and flexible. Your garden will have a natural look, an artist’s touch, and will be impressive and unique for all to enjoy!"
- A.G.
“When we were starting to think about selling our home of many years to downsize, John helped us with a substantial, creative "touch up" of an earlier, somewhat tired landscaping plan. He was fun to work with, listened well, and helped us come up with a good and affordable plan. His knowledge of plants is extensive and, like me, he likes unusual plants. We asked for less expensive alternatives for some of his first plant suggestions, and he readily came up with good and workable ideas. His crew was excellent and nothing escaped his watchful eye."
- B.M.
"We are very pleased with the native plant garden John designed for us. A native garden pursues an evolutionary path all its own. Some plants tried to take over, especially in the parkway where they get a lot of sun. So we've had some time "controlling" our tiny prairie. The sumacs and the variegated elderberry and I have achieved a satisfactory truce - I prune the hell out of them in the dead of winter and then leave them alone. The meadow roses insist on growing in nice mounds. I gave up trying to train them and just prune them after they bloom (following John’s instructions) and then simply poke the wayward vines back into the mounds.
Lots of interesting things happen throughout the year. The spring, summer and fall blooms are wonderful as one would expect. We harvest very small crops of figs, hazel nuts and paw paws. Many subtle things also start to happen in the fall and continue into the very early spring. The native clematis stays green well into winter; its blossoms dry into hundreds of cottony dried flowers. Similar interesting things happen to all of the tall prairie plants. In the very early spring, like the last couple of weeks, two of the witch hazels sprouted caterpillar-like blooms and another variety throws out wispy, light-green blooms. The paw paws deliver long-lasting purple blossoms.
The hardscape is holding up well with no repairs or changes so far. The pergola and pathways are quite visible on Google Earth. I continue to add stones and pebbles for the rain garden that I pick up when I walk our dog along the lake.
As John predicted there was no need to water last summer. I suspect that we absorb more than our share of summer rain, thereby reducing runoff. All of our plant material is shredded and used as mulch so no waste leaves the property. The electric shredder is our only noisemaker.
We've heard nothing but positive comments about our garden. Its uniqueness adds interest to our block and sets off our old house well."
- S.M.
"I can't say enough about how much pleasure the space John created in our back yard has given me. It's hard to conceive now of how I tolerated the former exposed, barren, noisy patio area. I never tire of sitting outside in the peaceful, lush, now naturally enclosed and private setting. The colors are gorgeous, the grasses, rocks, japanese maple, flowering bushes and pavers combine to make a Zen like, yet Italian feel--exactly what I asked for. I start my summer days with coffee outside and end with a glass of wine outside as the sun sets and I feel like I am on vacation. It is by far my favorite room in the house. Going with my gut and tracking you down, after reading an article in the "Homes and Garden" section of the Chicago Tribune and seeing the picture of the transformation you made in your old back yard, was a chance I constantly congratulate myself for taking. Thank you. Thank you."
- C.B.
- G.T.
"John is a great designer. He is very creative, professional, and has extensive knowledge of perennials, shrubs and trees unique to your region. He is easy to work with, kind and flexible. Your garden will have a natural look, an artist’s touch, and will be impressive and unique for all to enjoy!"
- A.G.
“When we were starting to think about selling our home of many years to downsize, John helped us with a substantial, creative "touch up" of an earlier, somewhat tired landscaping plan. He was fun to work with, listened well, and helped us come up with a good and affordable plan. His knowledge of plants is extensive and, like me, he likes unusual plants. We asked for less expensive alternatives for some of his first plant suggestions, and he readily came up with good and workable ideas. His crew was excellent and nothing escaped his watchful eye."
- B.M.
"We are very pleased with the native plant garden John designed for us. A native garden pursues an evolutionary path all its own. Some plants tried to take over, especially in the parkway where they get a lot of sun. So we've had some time "controlling" our tiny prairie. The sumacs and the variegated elderberry and I have achieved a satisfactory truce - I prune the hell out of them in the dead of winter and then leave them alone. The meadow roses insist on growing in nice mounds. I gave up trying to train them and just prune them after they bloom (following John’s instructions) and then simply poke the wayward vines back into the mounds.
Lots of interesting things happen throughout the year. The spring, summer and fall blooms are wonderful as one would expect. We harvest very small crops of figs, hazel nuts and paw paws. Many subtle things also start to happen in the fall and continue into the very early spring. The native clematis stays green well into winter; its blossoms dry into hundreds of cottony dried flowers. Similar interesting things happen to all of the tall prairie plants. In the very early spring, like the last couple of weeks, two of the witch hazels sprouted caterpillar-like blooms and another variety throws out wispy, light-green blooms. The paw paws deliver long-lasting purple blossoms.
The hardscape is holding up well with no repairs or changes so far. The pergola and pathways are quite visible on Google Earth. I continue to add stones and pebbles for the rain garden that I pick up when I walk our dog along the lake.
As John predicted there was no need to water last summer. I suspect that we absorb more than our share of summer rain, thereby reducing runoff. All of our plant material is shredded and used as mulch so no waste leaves the property. The electric shredder is our only noisemaker.
We've heard nothing but positive comments about our garden. Its uniqueness adds interest to our block and sets off our old house well."
- S.M.
"I can't say enough about how much pleasure the space John created in our back yard has given me. It's hard to conceive now of how I tolerated the former exposed, barren, noisy patio area. I never tire of sitting outside in the peaceful, lush, now naturally enclosed and private setting. The colors are gorgeous, the grasses, rocks, japanese maple, flowering bushes and pavers combine to make a Zen like, yet Italian feel--exactly what I asked for. I start my summer days with coffee outside and end with a glass of wine outside as the sun sets and I feel like I am on vacation. It is by far my favorite room in the house. Going with my gut and tracking you down, after reading an article in the "Homes and Garden" section of the Chicago Tribune and seeing the picture of the transformation you made in your old back yard, was a chance I constantly congratulate myself for taking. Thank you. Thank you."
- C.B.