If it takes a “green thumb” to bring life to the ordinary garden, then it takes a green arm and a leg to maintain the pristine splendor of this Lake Forest home, featured in Chicago Home + Garden.  One of the most prestigious names in Chicago landscaping was brought on board to translate the look of this French country villa onto a horticultural canvas.  Before undertaking this horticultural challenge, the homeowners had been dissatisfied with the wild, prairie look that the initial landscapers had created.  As Europeans themselves, the homeowners knew they wanted the look of more formal European gardens.  Although almost completely absent of any color other than green, the variety of plants and trimmings provide an impressive array of variation in itself.  Upon passing through its gates (or as experienced through the following photos), one feels as though they are whisked away to the south of France.