December 29, 2017
why i enjoy living in zone 5 ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Why I Enjoy Living in Zone 5

Why I Enjoy Living in Zone 5 no-repeat;left top;;auto0px InvasivesSoutheast Wisconsin resides in Zone 5, with the northern portion in zone 5a and the southern in zone 5b. This measurement is a standard developed by the USDA that plant growers can determine which plants are likely to thrive and survive […]
May 3, 2010
emerald arborvitae thuja occidentalis smaragd ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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PLANT PROFILE:
Emerald Arborvitae

Emerald Arborvitae is an iconic, versatile plant in the landscape with its compact, narrow to pyramidal form. Flat sprays of lustrous green foliage retain their color in colder winter months, adding four-season interest. Growing to heights of 20 to 25 feet with a spread of about 3 to 5 feet, and boasting low maintenance and adaptability, Emerald Arborvitae is a popular and reliable choice for most locations.
May 3, 2010
green giant western arborvitae thuja plicata standishii ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Green Giant Western Arborvitae

Green Giant is a fast-growing evergreen with a naturally pyramidal to conical form. Flaunting dense and rich green sprays of foliage that bronze slightly in the winter, trees may grow to 40 to 60 feet tall with a spread between 12 and 20 feet. Small, light-brown seed cones will develop in mid-summer and are concentrated toward the top of the tree. Green Giant is a hybrid of the North American native Thuja plicata and the Thuja standishii (native to Southern Japan), taking the best features of each to create a more disease-resistant, narrow, and pyramidal Arborvitae.
March 24, 2010
beaked hazelnut corylus cornuta ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Beaked Hazelnut

Beaked Hazelnut is a delightful Wisconsin native shrub, boasting edible nuts that have a slightly sweet and mild flavor. Tiny flowers bloom in spring and are followed by clusters of nuts wrapped in green modified leaves that ripen from late August to September. Beaked Hazelnuts are enjoyable for humans and wildlife alike!
March 16, 2010
hoptree ptlelea trifoliata ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Hoptree

Hoptree is a Wisconsin native tree with a wonderful spreading habit, sweet-smelling, orange blossom-like flowers, and lustrous dark green foliage. Tan wafer-like seed clusters cover the tree in early fall as leaves turn brilliant yellow, providing food to many birds and mammals.
March 8, 2010
magnolia ann spring pink flower tree ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Ann Magnolia

Ann Magnolia is a late-blooming, dwarf magnolia that bursts with large, tulip-like, slightly fragrant purple-red blooms in mid-spring. Green leaves emerge once flowers are done blooming and last throughout the season. Sometimes, a repeat bloom in mid-summer may occur. Late summer brings about interesting seed pods that hold.
March 1, 2010
wild bergamot monarda fistulosa wisconsin native perennial flower ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa Description & Overview Wild Bergamot is an iconic Wisconsin native perennial is commonly seen in dry prairies, meadows, and wood edges. Soft lavender-pink flowers show up in late June through August (sometimes as late as September), which offers a midsummer food source for a variety of […]
February 17, 2010
bottlebrush grass hystix patula ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Bottlebrush Grass

Bottlebrush Grass is a Wisconsin native ornamental grass with exquisite bristly flower heads resembling bottlebrushes. Blooming above dark olive-green foliage from June through August, Bottlebrush Grass is a good option under trees where most turf grasses fail. In addition to adding winter interest, foliage provides cover for birds as well as seeds.
February 16, 2010
alpine violet viola labradorica ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Alpine Violet

Alpine Violet is an adorable Wisconsin native with dainty, lavender-blue flowers that bloom from June to August. Heart-shaped leaves have a slightly purplish hue and serve as a good groundcover. Thriving in moist areas, Alpine Violets are perfect for woodland edges, along streambanks, and in rain gardens.
February 16, 2010
blackhaw viburnum wisconsin native viburnum prunifolium ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Blackhaw Viburnum

Blackhaw Viburnum is a unique Wisconsin native plant that can be either a small tree or a multi-stemmed shrub depending on how it's pruned. Covered in masses of delicate white flowers in May and June, pollinators and butterflies flock to forage for pollen and nectar. In autumn, foliage is awash in bronze-red color with clusters of pinkish-rose fruits that age to a bluish-black.
February 16, 2010
spiderwort wisconsin native tradescantia ohiensis ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Common Spiderwort

Spiderwort is a delightful Wisconsin native perennial featuring bluish-lavender flowers that bloom for only one day from May into July. While short-lived, blooms are prolific and continuous. Vibrant green foliage resembles ornamental grass and is great paired with other late-blooming perennials in borders, meadows, or cottage gardens.
February 16, 2010
steeplebush wisconsin native spiraea tomentosa ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Steeplebush

Steeplebush is a Wisconsin native perennial full of movement, texture, and color. Gorgeous plumes of deep pink-purplish flowers bloom from the top down from July through September. Steeplebush prefers moist to wet soil and is fantastic along streams, ponds, or rain gardens.
February 16, 2010
carolina rose native rosa carolina ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Carolina Rose

Carolina Rose is a whimsical Wisconsin native rose with pink, fragrant flowers that bloom in May and attract many long-tongued bees and beneficial insects. In autumn, the foliage takes on a maroon cast and bright red rose hips appear after flowering that persist into winter.
February 16, 2010
early wild rose rosa blanda ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Early Wild Rose

Early Wild Rose is a Wisconsin native, nearly thornless shrub that brightens any landscape with its bright pink and fragrant flowers. Bright red rose hips provide fall color and persist into winter, offering food to birds and small mammals. Early Wild Rose is a great alternative to traditional roses and can be used as hedges, low-growing screens, or in masses to attract pollinators.
February 16, 2010
fragrant sumac rhus aromatica ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Fragrant Sumac

Fragrant Sumac is a dense, low-growing Wisconsin native shrub noted for its pungent fragrance. Tiny yellow flowers bloom in April, followed by small red berries that persist into winter. With fantastic orange, red or maroon fall color, Fragrant Sumac is an excellent groundcover in tough urban sites.
February 15, 2010
wild quinine parthenium integrifolium ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Wild Quinine

Wild Quinine is a Wisconsin native perennial with interesting tiny, pearl-like white flowers that bloom from May to August, feeding pollinators with nectar and pollen. With fragrant, large, and coarse foliage, Wild Quinine provides texture and contrast against finer-leaved plants. In autumn, flowers turn brownish-black, providing winter interest
February 15, 2010
sweet gale myrica gale ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Sweetgale

Sweetgale is a delightful Wisconsin native plant at home in moist to wet areas along wetlands, bogs, marshes, streambanks, and low-lying areas. An underused shrub with many benefits, Sweetgale has pink catkins in spring, followed by small, greenish-yellow to brown nutlets that persist into winter. In addition to fixing dinitrogen, Sweetgale provides great coverage and food for birds. To set fruit, one male must be present for every three females is required.
February 14, 2010
spotted bee balm monarda punctata ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Spotted Bee Balm

Spotted Bee Balm is an unusual-looking Wisconsin native perennial with yellow, two-lipped flowers dotted with purple. Resembling tiered pagodas, deep green foliage is aromatic with blooms appearing in early to mid-summer. Spotted Bee Balm is an excellent addition to borders, prairies, meadows, and pollinator gardens, attracting many beneficial insects.
February 14, 2010
rough blazing star liatris aspera ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Rough Blazing Star

Rough Blazing Star is a staple in any pollinator garden, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects in droves. Rose-purple flower spikes bloom from late summer through fall, later than other Liatris, extending the availability of pollen and nectar. Rough Blazing Star, a Wisconsin native perennial, is perfect for borders, meadows, and rock or pollinator gardens.
February 11, 2010
culver’s root veronicastrum virginicum wisconsin native perennial flower johnson's nursery ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Culver’s Root

Culver’s Root Veronicastrum virginicum Description & Overview White candelabra-like flowers bloom in July, lasting through August. Gray-green, upright foliage adds visual texture and height. Found throughout Wisconsin in moist prairies, savannas, and open woodland edges. Attracts butterflies, bees, wasps, and moths. May also be known as Culver’s-physic, Bowman’s root. Core […]
February 5, 2010
wild geranium maculatum wisconsin native perennials at johnson's nursery ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Wild Geranium

Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum Description & Overview Wild Geranium is a Wisconsin native perennial with delightful loose clusters of saucer-shaped purple-pink flowers with white centers in May through June. The flower are borne above attractive, open clumps of deeply cut, green foliage. This native perennial is great when planted en […]
February 5, 2010
common sweetshrub calycanthus floridus ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Common Sweetshrub

Common Sweetshrub, native to the Eastern United States, is a beautiful upright shrub with glossy, clove-like scented foliage. In late spring, maroon-red flowers bloom emitting a strawberry-like fragrance. Flowers are followed by persistent, interesting brownish urn-shaped capsules that rattle with seeds.
January 28, 2010
white turtlehead chelone glabra wisconsin native perennials ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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White Turtlehead

White Turtlehead, a Wisconsin native perennial, features hooded, snapdragon-like white and pinkish flowers that bloom on tall spikes in late August. Enjoying moist soil, they are a great option for partially shaded swampy areas, around ponds, and in woodlands. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies are drawn to the sweet pollen and nectar.
January 28, 2010
fox sedge carex vupinoidea ftimg
by Beth DeLain
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Fox Sedge

Fox Sedge is a native Wisconsin perennial grass noted for its mounds of arching glossy foliage. Seed heads radiate out from the center of the clump, similar to a foxtail. Fox Sedge can be competitive and is best planted in large areas where groundcover is desired or erosion control is needed.
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