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Nursery
WI Natives
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March 7, 2023
There are many spring ephemerals native to Wisconsin. Spring ephemerals are like limited edition perennials; they’re only viewable for a short time. A fitting motto for these types of flowers is “live fast, die young,” as they grow and reproduce quickly, maximizing their limited time and taking advantage of optimal conditions such as temperature, moisture levels, and sunlight.
February 25, 2023
Fruit Trees Availability Updated for 2023There is nothing quite like eating a fresh apple from a tree growing in your yard. There just isn’t. The taste is different, the texture is different, and even the smell is different. Better in all cases, compared to fruit purchased from grocery stores. Commercial […]
February 20, 2023
Wisconsin has many excellent native plants that can be used as groundcover while also benefiting pollinators and wildlife. Using a combination of groundcovers adds biodiversity, color, and texture to your garden, so don’t feel limited to just one type! Groundcovers are an excellent option to include in any garden to add texture, suppress weeds, reduce erosion, and maintain moisture levels.
December 1, 2021
Native Plant Sale Available for on-site shopping only.June is Wisconsin native plant appreciation month at Johnson\’s Nursery. We team up with our friends at Wild Ones to offer native plant enthusiasts an opportunity to save big. All active Wild Ones members receive 40% off Wisconsin native plants in containers at […]
November 30, 2021
While browsing the Wisconsin Native Plant Guide, double click on the page to zoom in/out. ** Download button in upper left corner ** *Hardcopies are available for purchase at our nursery.no-repeat;center top;;auto Shop Johnson\’s Nursery For Wisconsin Native Plants We\’re a third-generation family-owned business who passionately pursues the goal of […]
November 30, 2021
While browsing the Plant Reference Guide, double click on the page to zoom in/out.** Download button in upper left corner **Plant Reference Guideno-repeat;center top;;auto *Hardcopies are available for purchase in-store.Plant Reference Guideno-repeat;center top;;auto Plant Reference Guide The Plant Reference Guide is the hardcopy catalog of commonly grown and stocked plants […]
November 30, 2021
How to Attract Monarch Butterflies to Your Yard With the addition of the Monarch butterfly to the Red List of Threatened Species and categorized as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), many people have asked us how they can help this beloved creature. While they face […]
November 30, 2021
How to Build a Bird Garden in Wisconsin Build a Bird Garden in Wisconsinno-repeat;center top;;auto0px Watching backyard birds is relaxing, entertaining, and educational. Seeing a bright red cardinal in the middle of winter is uplifting. A visit from a ruby-throated hummingbird outside the breakfast nook can be a great way […]
December 30, 2017
Introductions & Originations Johnson\’s Nursery Originals; J.N. Plant Selections Introductions Johnson’s Nursery is proud to have numerous nationally recognized plants that originated in our fields. You may be familiar with trees and shrubs touting the cultivar names of ‘J.N. Select’, ‘J.N. Upright’, or ‘J.N. Select A’. These are plants […]
October 2, 2017
Naughty Natives – Part 3: Perennials If you remember from Part 1: Trees and Part 2: Shrubs, we\’re highlighting Wisconsin native plants that have a bad reputation as \”weed plants\” or that they are aggressive. Sometimes the aggressive nature, or undesirable traits, can be an asset rather than a nuisance […]
October 2, 2017
Native Pollinators Did you know the phrase “the bee’s knees” originally described something tiny and insignificant? Since then it has evolved to mean something outstanding. And in August, I find nothing more outstanding than the sight of native pollinators in the landscape. One of the basics of plant life is […]
July 17, 2017
Plant Sex Wisconsin summers are like a tumultuous love affair. They can fluctuate from hot and steamy to cold and rainy in the course of one night. Did you know that summer love affairs are happening all around us in broad daylight? Plants everywhere are fornicating, right in front of […]
July 13, 2017
My son, Jack loved to grab, throw, and chew on books when he was one year old. He also adored books being read aloud to him. I was reading him “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle and it occurred to me that we often overlook these juvenile versions of […]
June 17, 2017
Naughty Natives – Part 2: Shrubs If you missed Part 1 of the \”Naughty Natives\” series, we highlighted trees. And here in Part 2, we\’re discussing shrubs. This \”Naught Native\” series aims to highlight the Wisconsin native plants that have a bad reputation as \”weed plants\” or that they are […]
April 1, 2017
Naughty Natives – Part 1: Trees Explaining why native plants are great could fill an entire library, trust me. However, sometimes people think that because a plant is native that must mean it is perfect, and all native plants are well-behaved and interact nicely with their plant buddies. This \”Naught […]
October 13, 2016
Fall Blooming Plants for the Pollinators Using fall blooming plants in the landscape will give insects an extra boost for late-season and winter. These days, insect population decline has more attention than ever. The most popular of which is the Monarch Butterfly. There is also frequent news over the Honeybee […]
February 14, 2016
Where Do Baby Plants Come From? In all my years of writing now, I’ve always skirted around an important issue. That is plant sex. I know most of you in the landscape industry are familiar with human sex at least from summer to winter. Spring–not so much! So, I think […]
November 8, 2012
Sumac Comparison Genus: Rhus The Sumac (Rhus) family includes a selection Wisconsin native shrubs noted for their fern-like foliage, site adaptability, and wildlife value. They\’re a very strong plant in native and land restoration projects because the majority of the family are colonizers, meaning they\’re vigorous and will spread; therefore, […]
July 31, 2012
Ornamental Onion Comparison Genus: Allium The ornamental onion (Allium) family includes a selection European varieties and a Wisconsin native! They\’re noted for their grass-like foliage and round or drooping flower blossoms during summer. You may recognize its round, golf-ball size (globe shape) flowers. The flower colors range from white to […]
July 29, 2012
Clematis Comparison Genus: Clematis The Clematis family includes 380+ species with various native origins on nearly every continent. Here in Wisconsin, several cultivars perform well and are reliably hardy. Mature sizes vary, but in general, as a climbing vine, they grow upward and typically on trellises or fences. Mature heights […]
June 22, 2012
Grass & Sedge Comparison Chart The Grass & Sedge Comparison Chart is a list of common ornamental grass and sedge perennials grown at Johnson\’s Nursery. Easy to grow, easy to care for, easy on the eyes! Ornamental grasses have so many positives it’s hard to not incorporate them into the […]