Chase Tower Plaza makes up a full city block in the heart of the Chicago Loop. The plaza is paved in light gray granite and has two levels, the lower one below street-grade and accessible by wide stairs. The street level plaza has numerous raised planters with shrubs, flowering trees, large deciduous trees, and seasonal color displays. The space also incorporates public art, including a bronze clock on a stone plinth.

The below street-grade levels are accessible only by wide stairs. All maintenance equipment, plant materials, racks of annual flowers for installation, and debris from maintenance must be brought up and down the stairs. Because the plaza is a popular meeting space, all maintenance and planting is performed very early in the morning before the morning rush hour or during off hours. Seasonal plantings are installed on the weekends.

10,000 tulip bulbs are planted throughout the beds on all three levels in the late fall and covered with sod for protection. In the early spring the sod is removed and pine fines are installed to cover the soil as well as amend the soil for the summer annuals planted later in the spring. Bulb planting requires three crews working through the weekend.

Summer flowers are planted in late spring after the tulips. During January, three flower design options are presented to the client for selection. Colors and flower types change every year, but coleus and cannas are a favorite of the client. On planting day, racks of flowers are staged on the sidewalk and the lower levels. The crews must always be aware of their surroundings, as there are many distractions, pedestrians, and vehicle traffic nearby. Crews put safety cones around trucks and work areas. Areas must be cleared of debris and tools immediately after work is finished.

The street level raised beds are popular spots for sitting. Flowers are allowed to grow to the edge but not over the granite planting beds. Weekly maintenance includes replacing damaged flowers as needed along with the routine deadheading and pinching of flowers to assure colorful flower displays. We order extra flowers and maintain them in our yard so we’ll have replacement plants when needed throughout the summer.

Formal hedges provide structure in most beds. Miss Kim Lilac and spirea are sheared three times a year after they bloom with touch up pruning in between. Client requires that hedges be meticulously maintained, with no visible shoots. Pruning is done early morning; for safety, we have a crew member on the ground to direct pedestrians away from work area.

There are 52 mature honey locust trees surrounding the plaza. Light pruning is done annually by our arborist. For mite control we release a predatory mite that feeds on the destructive mites. This organic alternative to chemical pest control meets the client’s need for LEED compliance.

A mass of limelight hydrangeas are planted in one of the raised beds that frame Marc Chagall’s "Four Seasons," a 70-foot-long, free-standing ceramic wall mosaic in the upper plaza. In keeping with the client’s sustainability goals, flower displays now consist of approximately 50% perennial shrubs instead of entirely annuals.

Japanese lilac trees, hydrangeas, and hostas are planted around air vents and mechanical structures to soften the hard shapes of the vents. Plants in this area are constantly stressed by their proximity to these structures, so are monitored weekly for damage. Shrubs and plants are replaced as needed to keep the site looking sharp. Trellises with mandevilla vines and decorative boulders were added for height and interest and to help keep this area full and lush.

The annual flower selection is inspired by the world-famous “Four Seasons” mosaic. The bed designs echo the movement of the mosaic, which depicts Chicago's four seasons. The sculpture was assembled on site with colored glass and stone from Italy, France, Norway, Belgium, and Israel. Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grass is throughout the plaza planters and is left for winter interest.

During every visit, the beds are weeded and all debris is removed to help keep the site’s sidewalks, granite walls, and seating around the beds kept clean at all times. Fertilizing is done every other week in early through mid-summer. All beds are irrigated and constant monitoring is needed to maintain correct soil moisture in perennial shrub areas and annual flowers beds.