Avant Garden Chicago

What sets us apart from a typical landscaping company

From Laura Osborne, Founder, Avant Garden Chicago

First, as owner and designer, I shop for every job without fail and do all of the client work, first meetings, estimates, invoices.  For that reason, most of our clients value strong customer service and a design focused garden design firm.  They are willing to pay more for that personal attention.  For new clients I add containers and do the framework for the garden by rearranging the ‘bones’ of the garden as needed and offer seasonal enhancements to maintain and keep their green space looking great.  Most clients want instant gratification and I give them exactly that.  The container garden is a repeat business when most garden renovations are a one-time gig.

My mission is to put together an entirely different garden for everyone on the block.  I shop for a planting the same day we install and I purchase materials at Gethsemane garden center because it allows me to streamline the design process and turn around plantings in record time.  Most days my crew of six or seven people average three jobs and each is bought and designed for the specific client we’re planting.  We don’t just pick from stock and have a list of set materials.  We handpick the best plants available and design containers on the spot.  The difference is that the plant material hasn’t had time to sit around for more than an hour or two before it’s planted.