Article updated: 5/6/2013 3:31 PM

Sustainable landscaping is eco-friendly and less work

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Landscaping on rooftops, such as the Chicago City Hall roof here, is one way to create a "greener" environment.

Courtesy of Mike Curry

Here is an example of a sustainable landscaping feature — a bioswale at Midwest Groundcovers in Virgil. The landscaping feature is built with sloped sides to help collect and direct rainwater. They often are filled with vegetation, soil and mulch that help filter stormwater.

Courtesy of Mike Curry

Lurvey's Garden Center in Des Plaines has plants and other products that will help customers build a sustainable landscape in their yard.

Courtesy of Lurvey's Garden Center

About this Article

Landscaping provides people with a huge array of benefits from shade to rainwater absorption to the prevention of soil erosion and beautification. But it delivers the maximum number of benefits to humankind and the planet when it is designed in such a way that it works with nature, instead of against it.

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