Irma Orum
Founder
The daughter of Danish immigrants Carl and Katrine Hertzmann, Irma was born on March 4, 1931 in Chicago. Â After graduating from Kelvyn Park High School, she studied at Wilbur Wright College and began her business administrative career at the Chicago corporate offices of The American Cancer Society and Icelandic Airlines. Â On February 4, 1967, she married Peter Orum at St. James Episcopal Church in Dundee, Illinois. Â As a team, they founded and built the Midwest Companies in the horticulture industry, including Midwest Groundcovers LLC and Midwest Trading Inc.
IRMA’S SWAMP WHITE OAK TREE – Quercus bicolor
Before Irma met Peter, and began her role as co-founder and business partner, she was a student of nature in the Chicago Region through courses at The Morton Arboretum and The Chicago Botanic Garden and also Jens Jensen’s, The Clearing, in Wisconsin.  Irma was inspired by fellow daughter of Danish immigrants, May Theilgaard Watts, a peer of Jens Jensen’s, and an educator, writer and illustrator at The Morton Arboretum, as well as an influencer in establishing the Illinois Prairie Path system.  Needless to say, Oaks would become Irma’s cornerstone trees. Â
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Irma was fond of birds, and she found birds to hold special significance, bringing spiritual connection at opportune times.  In 1990, Irma and Peter’s son, Stig, was killed by a reckless driver.  In an outdoor memorial service for Stig, Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep (credited to Clare Harner & Mary Elizabeth Frye) was sung while a Red Tail Hawk appeared and circled the group gathered for the entirety of the service.  For Irma, these words were particularly meaningful:
Â
As you wake with the morning's hush,
 I am the swift, up-flinging rush
 Of quiet birds in circling flight…
Â
During the renovation of our patio, the first plantings were of the trees in spring 2025.  Almost immediately, birds flocked to this particular Quercus bicolor, moreso than to any other tree.  It seemed a message was being sent that this was Irma’s memorial tree.
Swam White Oak, Quercus bicolor, is a stately and resilient deciduous tree well-suited to a broad range of landscape and urban applications. Notable for its attractive, exfoliating bark—particularly showy on younger specimens—this species features lustrous, lobed foliage that is dark green above with striking silvery-white undersides, creating a distinctive two-tone appearance. Its autumn display ranges from orange-gold to soft yellow, providing strong seasonal interest through mid to late fall. In winter, the bark and persistent structure contribute to the tree's year-round ornamental value.
Native to the Chicago region and much of the eastern and central United States, swamp white oak belongs to the Fagaceae (Beech) family. It thrives in full sun and reaches mature dimensions of 50 to 60 feet in both height and spread, developing a broad, rounded canopy ideal for shade. This species shows adaptability to a range of soil types—including acidic, alkaline, clay, and occasionally dry or wet soils—and tolerates urban stressors such as road salt, occasional drought, and flooding. While moderately sensitive to prolonged drought, its tolerance of fluctuating site conditions makes it a valuable choice for city parkways, residential areas, wide medians, and even restricted sites. Swamp white oak is known to transplant well. Ecologically, it provides important habitat and food for game birds, migratory species, and small mammals. Overall, Quercus bicolor is a versatile, regionally native species that combines aesthetic appeal with strong ecological and functional performance in designed landscapes.
Quercus bicolor shows a strong preference for mesic to hydric environments across USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Its core range centers on the Great Lakes and Ohio River valleys, reflecting adaptation to periodic flooding and moisture-rich soils. The presence in urban and suburban landscapes—such as the Chicago region—is well-supported by its ecological amplitude, tolerating both clay-laden floodplains and alkaline roadside conditions.  In Illinois, this distribution suggests excellent suitability for regional planting schemes, particularly in rain gardens, wet swales, or parklands.
Before Irma met Peter, and began her role as co-founder and business partner, she was a student of nature in the Chicago Region through courses at The Morton Arboretum and The Chicago Botanic Garden and also Jens Jensen’s, The Clearing, in Wisconsin.  Irma was inspired by fellow daughter of Danish immigrants, May Theilgaard Watts, a peer of Jens Jensen’s, and an educator, writer and illustrator at The Morton Arboretum, as well as an influencer in establishing the Illinois Prairie Path system.  Needless to say, Oaks would become Irma’s cornerstone trees. Â
Â
Irma was fond of birds, and she found birds to hold special significance, bringing spiritual connection at opportune times.  In 1990, Irma and Peter’s son, Stig, was killed by a reckless driver.  In an outdoor memorial service for Stig, Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep (credited to Clare Harner & Mary Elizabeth Frye) was sung while a Red Tail Hawk appeared and circled the group gathered for the entirety of the service.  For Irma, these words were particularly meaningful:
Â
As you wake with the morning's hush,
 I am the swift, up-flinging rush
 Of quiet birds in circling flight…
Â
During the renovation of our patio, the first plantings were of the trees in spring 2025.  Almost immediately, birds flocked to this particular Quercus bicolor, moreso than to any other tree.  It seemed a message was being sent that this was Irma’s memorial tree.
Take a moment and think about Irma and her love of Illinois flora and fauna. Â If you see a Cardinal, her favorite bird, in her favorite Oak Tree, imagine it to be a special, joyful and energetic greeting, encouraging you to appreciate the natural beauty which surrounds us.
Swam White Oak, Quercus bicolor, is a stately and resilient deciduous tree well-suited to a broad range of landscape and urban applications. Notable for its attractive, exfoliating bark—particularly showy on younger specimens—this species features lustrous, lobed foliage that is dark green above with striking silvery-white undersides, creating a distinctive two-tone appearance. Its autumn display ranges from orange-gold to soft yellow, providing strong seasonal interest through mid to late fall. In winter, the bark and persistent structure contribute to the tree's year-round ornamental value.
Native to the Chicago region and much of the eastern and central United States, swamp white oak belongs to the Fagaceae (Beech) family. It thrives in full sun and reaches mature dimensions of 50 to 60 feet in both height and spread, developing a broad, rounded canopy ideal for shade. This species shows adaptability to a range of soil types—including acidic, alkaline, clay, and occasionally dry or wet soils—and tolerates urban stressors such as road salt, occasional drought, and flooding. While moderately sensitive to prolonged drought, its tolerance of fluctuating site conditions makes it a valuable choice for city parkways, residential areas, wide medians, and even restricted sites. Swamp white oak is known to transplant well. Ecologically, it provides important habitat and food for game birds, migratory species, and small mammals. Overall, Quercus bicolor is a versatile, regionally native species that combines aesthetic appeal with strong ecological and functional performance in designed landscapes.
Quercus bicolor shows a strong preference for mesic to hydric environments across USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Its core range centers on the Great Lakes and Ohio River valleys, reflecting adaptation to periodic flooding and moisture-rich soils. The presence in urban and suburban landscapes—such as the Chicago region—is well-supported by its ecological amplitude, tolerating both clay-laden floodplains and alkaline roadside conditions.  In Illinois, this distribution suggests excellent suitability for regional planting schemes, particularly in rain gardens, wet swales, or parklands.
Irma Orum
Founder
The daughter of Danish immigrants Carl and Katrine Hertzmann, Irma was born on March 4, 1931 in Chicago. Â After graduating from Kelvyn Park High School, she studied at Wilbur Wright College and began her business administrative career at the Chicago corporate offices of The American Cancer Society and Icelandic Airlines. Â On February 4, 1967, she married Peter Orum at St. James Episcopal Church in Dundee, Illinois. Â As a team, they founded and built the Midwest Companies in the horticulture industry, including Midwest Groundcovers LLC and Midwest Trading Inc.
IRMA’S SWAMP WHITE OAK TREE – Quercus bicolor
Before Irma met Peter, and began her role as co-founder and business partner, she was a student of nature in the Chicago Region through courses at The Morton Arboretum and The Chicago Botanic Garden and also Jens Jensen’s, The Clearing, in Wisconsin.  Irma was inspired by fellow daughter of Danish immigrants, May Theilgaard Watts, a peer of Jens Jensen’s, and an educator, writer and illustrator at The Morton Arboretum, as well as an influencer in establishing the Illinois Prairie Path system.  Needless to say, Oaks would become Irma’s cornerstone trees. Â
Â
Irma was fond of birds, and she found birds to hold special significance, bringing spiritual connection at opportune times.  In 1990, Irma and Peter’s son, Stig, was killed by a reckless driver.  In an outdoor memorial service for Stig, Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep (credited to Clare Harner & Mary Elizabeth Frye) was sung while a Red Tail Hawk appeared and circled the group gathered for the entirety of the service.  For Irma, these words were particularly meaningful:
Â
As you wake with the morning's hush,
 I am the swift, up-flinging rush
 Of quiet birds in circling flight…
Â
During the renovation of our patio, the first plantings were of the trees in spring 2025.  Almost immediately, birds flocked to this particular Quercus bicolor, moreso than to any other tree.  It seemed a message was being sent that this was Irma’s memorial tree.
Swam White Oak, Quercus bicolor, is a stately and resilient deciduous tree well-suited to a broad range of landscape and urban applications. Notable for its attractive, exfoliating bark—particularly showy on younger specimens—this species features lustrous, lobed foliage that is dark green above with striking silvery-white undersides, creating a distinctive two-tone appearance. Its autumn display ranges from orange-gold to soft yellow, providing strong seasonal interest through mid to late fall. In winter, the bark and persistent structure contribute to the tree's year-round ornamental value.
Native to the Chicago region and much of the eastern and central United States, swamp white oak belongs to the Fagaceae (Beech) family. It thrives in full sun and reaches mature dimensions of 50 to 60 feet in both height and spread, developing a broad, rounded canopy ideal for shade. This species shows adaptability to a range of soil types—including acidic, alkaline, clay, and occasionally dry or wet soils—and tolerates urban stressors such as road salt, occasional drought, and flooding. While moderately sensitive to prolonged drought, its tolerance of fluctuating site conditions makes it a valuable choice for city parkways, residential areas, wide medians, and even restricted sites. Swamp white oak is known to transplant well. Ecologically, it provides important habitat and food for game birds, migratory species, and small mammals. Overall, Quercus bicolor is a versatile, regionally native species that combines aesthetic appeal with strong ecological and functional performance in designed landscapes.
Quercus bicolor shows a strong preference for mesic to hydric environments across USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Its core range centers on the Great Lakes and Ohio River valleys, reflecting adaptation to periodic flooding and moisture-rich soils. The presence in urban and suburban landscapes—such as the Chicago region—is well-supported by its ecological amplitude, tolerating both clay-laden floodplains and alkaline roadside conditions.  In Illinois, this distribution suggests excellent suitability for regional planting schemes, particularly in rain gardens, wet swales, or parklands.
Before Irma met Peter, and began her role as co-founder and business partner, she was a student of nature in the Chicago Region through courses at The Morton Arboretum and The Chicago Botanic Garden and also Jens Jensen’s, The Clearing, in Wisconsin.  Irma was inspired by fellow daughter of Danish immigrants, May Theilgaard Watts, a peer of Jens Jensen’s, and an educator, writer and illustrator at The Morton Arboretum, as well as an influencer in establishing the Illinois Prairie Path system.  Needless to say, Oaks would become Irma’s cornerstone trees. Â
Â
Irma was fond of birds, and she found birds to hold special significance, bringing spiritual connection at opportune times.  In 1990, Irma and Peter’s son, Stig, was killed by a reckless driver.  In an outdoor memorial service for Stig, Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep (credited to Clare Harner & Mary Elizabeth Frye) was sung while a Red Tail Hawk appeared and circled the group gathered for the entirety of the service.  For Irma, these words were particularly meaningful:
Â
As you wake with the morning's hush,
 I am the swift, up-flinging rush
 Of quiet birds in circling flight…
Â
During the renovation of our patio, the first plantings were of the trees in spring 2025.  Almost immediately, birds flocked to this particular Quercus bicolor, moreso than to any other tree.  It seemed a message was being sent that this was Irma’s memorial tree.
Take a moment and think about Irma and her love of Illinois flora and fauna. Â If you see a Cardinal, her favorite bird, in her favorite Oak Tree, imagine it to be a special, joyful and energetic greeting, encouraging you to appreciate the natural beauty which surrounds us.
Swam White Oak, Quercus bicolor, is a stately and resilient deciduous tree well-suited to a broad range of landscape and urban applications. Notable for its attractive, exfoliating bark—particularly showy on younger specimens—this species features lustrous, lobed foliage that is dark green above with striking silvery-white undersides, creating a distinctive two-tone appearance. Its autumn display ranges from orange-gold to soft yellow, providing strong seasonal interest through mid to late fall. In winter, the bark and persistent structure contribute to the tree's year-round ornamental value.
Native to the Chicago region and much of the eastern and central United States, swamp white oak belongs to the Fagaceae (Beech) family. It thrives in full sun and reaches mature dimensions of 50 to 60 feet in both height and spread, developing a broad, rounded canopy ideal for shade. This species shows adaptability to a range of soil types—including acidic, alkaline, clay, and occasionally dry or wet soils—and tolerates urban stressors such as road salt, occasional drought, and flooding. While moderately sensitive to prolonged drought, its tolerance of fluctuating site conditions makes it a valuable choice for city parkways, residential areas, wide medians, and even restricted sites. Swamp white oak is known to transplant well. Ecologically, it provides important habitat and food for game birds, migratory species, and small mammals. Overall, Quercus bicolor is a versatile, regionally native species that combines aesthetic appeal with strong ecological and functional performance in designed landscapes.
Quercus bicolor shows a strong preference for mesic to hydric environments across USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Its core range centers on the Great Lakes and Ohio River valleys, reflecting adaptation to periodic flooding and moisture-rich soils. The presence in urban and suburban landscapes—such as the Chicago region—is well-supported by its ecological amplitude, tolerating both clay-laden floodplains and alkaline roadside conditions.  In Illinois, this distribution suggests excellent suitability for regional planting schemes, particularly in rain gardens, wet swales, or parklands.