French Drain Installation & Native Landscape Design in Northbrook

Managing drainage and selecting the right plants often go hand in hand. On this project in Northbrook, IL, the goal was to improve water management while creating a landscape designed to thrive in naturally wet conditions. By combining a professionally installed French drain system with carefully selected trees, shrubs, and native plantings, the property was designed for better drainage, healthier plants, and long-term landscape performance.

Project Goals

• Improve drainage throughout the backyard.
• Reduce standing water and excess soil moisture.
• Install a French drain system to capture and redirect water.
• Create planting beds with trees and shrubs suited for wet conditions.
• Enhance the landscape with native plants and ornamental grasses.
• Restore disturbed lawn areas after construction.

French Drain Installation

The drainage portion of the project focused on collecting excess groundwater and improving water movement throughout the property.

Approximately 110 linear feet of French drain was installed along the backyard and north property line to collect and redirect water toward a nearby municipal drainage area.

Three catch basins were incorporated into the system to improve surface water collection during heavy rainfall.

The drainage trenches were lined with filter fabric and backfilled with clean river rock to maximize water infiltration and long-term performance.

Careful excavation was completed around existing utilities where necessary to protect underground infrastructure during installation.

Landscape Installation and Planting Design

Once the drainage improvements were completed, the landscape was redesigned with trees and shrubs selected for their ability to tolerate moist soil conditions.

The planting design included Swamp Oak, Bald Cypress, multi-stem Quaking Aspen, Tardiva Hydrangeas, and Fothergilla to create structure, seasonal interest, and long-term canopy development.

Native ornamental grasses and prairie plantings were installed throughout the bed to provide movement, texture, and late-season color while supporting a low-maintenance landscape.

Soil Preparation and Plant Establishment

The planting beds were amended with compost, bermed with quality topsoil, fertilized, edged, and finished with fresh mulch to encourage healthy root development and long-term plant performance.

Soil excavated during the drainage installation was reused to help shape the planting beds and improve grading throughout the area.

Why Drainage and Plant Selection Matter

Successful landscapes begin below the surface.

Proper drainage helps protect plants from excessive moisture.

Selecting trees and shrubs suited for site conditions improves long-term health and performance.

Native grasses and perennial plantings provide seasonal interest while requiring less maintenance once established.

By combining drainage improvements with thoughtful landscape design, this project created an outdoor space that is both functional and visually appealing.

Project Highlights

• Approximately 110 feet of French drain installation.
• Three catch basin installations.
• River rock drainage trenches with filter fabric.
• Swamp Oak, Bald Cypress, and Quaking Aspen installation.
• Tardiva Hydrangea and Fothergilla planting.
• Native prairie grass and ornamental grass installation.
• Planting bed expansion and renovation.
• Compost, mulch, and soil amendments.
• Lawn restoration with grass seed and compost.

As you browse through the photos, you will see the French drain installation, catch basin placement, planting bed preparation, tree and shrub installation, native landscape design, and final lawn restoration as the project came together.

The result is a property in Northbrook, IL featuring improved drainage, carefully selected native plantings, and a landscape designed to perform beautifully for years to come.

 

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Tommy Pollina Landscape Company – serving Chicagoland since 1982.