February 25, 2023
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Fruit Trees Availability

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 […]
December 14, 2022
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Top Selling Plants [2022 Update]

The top-selling plants of 2022 include a list of those most used plants by our customers including municipalities, land managers, and private homeowners. This is a fun insight into the most planted trees, shrubs, evergreens, perennials, and fruit trees in 2022.An amazing realization is that people are choosing Wisconsin native […]
November 30, 2021
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Plant Reference Guide

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
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Planting Trees, Evergreens & Shrubs

How to Plant & Handle Trees, Evergreens & Shrubs Properly planting trees is one of the best investments you can make for the long-term health of your trees. When done properly, your plants will flourish and cause less heartache in the future. These recommendations are from decades of experience and […]
November 30, 2021
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RootMaker Containers

What Are RootMaker Containers What are RootMaker Containers? no-repeat;center top;;auto0px What Are RootMaker ContainersRootMaker containers specialize in the growth of a fibrous root system. Johnson\’s Nursery uses them in the production of Wisconsin native trees, shrubs, and conifers. They are different than the typical, solid-wall container in a few ways. […]
November 30, 2021
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Container Grown Trees

Container Grown Trees Container Grown Trees Johnson\’s Nursery grows a variety of container trees, adding to the diversity of our growing operations and range of plants available to our wholesale clients. We appreciate the opportunity to serve and provide you with quality nursery stock. Contact your wholesale salesperson for availability […]
November 30, 2021
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Understanding Nursery Stock Sizes

Understanding Nursery Stock Sizes Understanding Nursery Stock Sizes Most commonly, growers use caliper, container size, and height (inches or feet) for units of measurement for nursery stock. Why do we need multiple units? Because all plants are uniquely different and grow differently. In any of those 3 size units, it’s […]
November 30, 2021
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Growing Japanese Maples in Wisconsin

Growing Japanese Maples in Wisconsin Japanese Maples are a highly coveted landscape plant for many good reasons. They have a lot going for them, such as distinctive foliage in leaf form and color, interesting shape, overall size, and beautiful fall color. They are sure to inspire awe and are some […]
November 30, 2021
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Bird Garden in Wisconsin

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 […]
October 31, 2021
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How to Choose A Tree

How to Choose a Tree A surprising number of people walk into our retail store and ask, “Do you sell trees?” or “Do you have any shade trees?” or “Do you have any ornamental trees?” We all smile and say yes; after all, trees are kind of our thing, and […]
December 30, 2017
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Introductions & Originations

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 […]
December 29, 2017
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Grow Agreements

Grow Agreements Grow Agreements Simplify Logistics Why A Grow Agreement? If you’ve ever been excited about a big project only to discover your initial vision and goals were diluted because your preferred plant material was not available in the quantities or sizes you wanted. If you’ve ever had to answer […]
December 29, 2017
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Training & Pruning Fruit Trees

Training & Pruning Fruit Trees Training and pruning fruit trees is important to being a successful fruit grower. You train early in a fruit tree\’s life to achieve proper/desired shape and form (central leader, open center). The first-early years of a tree\’s life are most important for proper tree training […]
December 29, 2017
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Plant Size & Investments

Plant Size & Investments There is an old grower\’s adage about plant size — \”If it\’s not growing, it\’s dead\”. Aware of this truism, Johnson\’s Nursery provides a range of mature heights and spreads for shrubs, trees, and evergreens. A plant’s mature size and how well it performs commonly depends […]
November 13, 2017
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What’s A Red Maple, Anyway?

What’s A Red Maple, Anyway? I am often asked if we carry Red Maples at Johnson’s Nursery. My reply is, what do you mean by “red maple”? In this article I break down what is and isn’t a red maple, and why it matters to you. Red Maple The true […]
November 13, 2017
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Wisconsin Natives

Wisconsin Natives At Johnson’s Nursery, we love our native plants. They fill unique roles in our landscapes, are adapted to our soils and climate, and have co-evolved with our other Wisconsin native species to create the mosaic of diversity that is Wisconsin. In addition to their special use by wildlife, […]
November 13, 2017
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Urban Approved

Urban Approved The goal of the Urban Approved standard is to be the starting point when selecting plants for difficult sites in built-up areas. Decisions regarding the Urban Approved title are made conservatively, and we will not grant the title to a plant that has not been adequately tested. What […]
October 26, 2017
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Fall Harvest & Planting

Fall Harvest & Planting Fall Harvestno-repeat;left top;;auto Autumn in Wisconsin is a special time. Roadsides are painted in orange, red, and yellow. The air smells crisp and it’s time to get out the sweaters. The cooler temperatures invite most people to slow down from our busy summer schedules in preparation […]
October 10, 2017

Urban Trees: Narrow Space Savers

Urban Trees: Narrow Space Savers | Small – UNDER 15’ TALL Urban Trees: Narrow Space Savers A common theme we see in landscapes today are small spaces in need of vertical accents and urban trees. Whether you have a limiting lot size or an existing bed with a hole you […]
October 6, 2017

Fall Planting

Fall Planting Fall Planting In the fall, I am asked the same question over and over: Is it too late to plant? The answer? Not at all. But it is a good idea to get perennials and evergreens in the ground by mid-October. You want to give perennials enough time […]
October 6, 2017
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Crabapples for Birds

Crabapples for Birds I’m sure there are some of you out there that are thinking, “Yeah crabapples are for the birds, and not for me. They have disease problems (scab) that knock the leaves off the trees by August and the big, stinking fruit that drops all over the sidewalk […]
September 25, 2017
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Fungus Among Us

Amid autumn's colorful façade, a fungal menace thrives, peaking in September and prompting premature defoliation. Spring's spores seek vulnerable hosts, exploiting fresh pruning wounds, and flourish in humid conditions. From apple scab ravaging crabapples to rust and powdery mildew besieging various species, proactive measures are crucial. Fungicides, judicious plant choices, and strategic pruning stave off these insidious party crashers, safeguarding your garden's health.
April 9, 2017
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Deer Protection, Buck Rub & Resistant Plants

Deer Resistant Plants, Buck Rub & Protection Deer resistant plants is a very common topic in Wisconsin, especially in fall. It\’s often an initial question on new landscape projects of all sizes. Deer resistant, repellent, deterrent, and deer proof can all be used synonymously with the topic. Ultimately, fencing is […]
April 9, 2017
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Black Walnut Toxicity

Black Walnut Toxicity Occasionally, clients will call our offices with complaints about an area in their yard where nothing seems to grow. One of the questions we ask is “Is there a Black Walnut tree nearby?” Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) and a related species, Butternut (Juglans cinerea) produce juglone, a […]
April 1, 2017
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Naughty Natives pt 1: Trees

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 […]
March 22, 2017
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Green Screens: Living Privacy Fence with Evergreens

Green Screens: Living Privacy Fence with Evergreens The first signs of spring bring me to our tree farm in Jackson. Our fields are full of trees for potential green screens to hide your neighbors, a shed, or whatever obstacle you want to block.Ben Franklin wrote, “Good fences make good neighbors”. […]
March 12, 2017
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Redbud in Wisconsin

Content Redbud in Wisconsin Here at Johnson’s Nursery we have been growing Eastern Redbud trees almost since the beginning of our time. These are beautiful small trees that get to about 20 to 25 feet tall and wide, with a somewhat rounded outline. In flower they are absolutely stunning! They […]
February 20, 2017
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Wisconsin’s Native Oaks

No group of trees symbolize strength and longevity more than Wisconsin’s native oaks. They has been revered by people all over the world for thousands of years. The Druids would not meet for ritual without having an oak tree present. The masts of the sailing ships that brought the pilgrims from […]
February 20, 2017
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Wisconsin’s Native Oaks – Red Oaks

Red Oaks Northern Pin Oak, Hills Oak, or Scrub OakQuercus ellipsoidalis60’ tall by 45’ wide Northern Pin Oak or Scrub Oak as it is often called in the sand country of Central Wisconsin is a really tough, small scale species in the Red Oak group that tolerates tough, droughty conditions. […]
February 20, 2017
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Wisconsin’s Native Oaks – White Oaks

White Oaks White Oak Quercus alba 50-80’ tall by 50-80’ wide White Oak, along with Red Oak, is perhaps the most important Oak species in our Southern Wisconsin forests. The White Oak is common in our pre-settlement woodlands and can be easily distinguished from other oaks by its round lobed […]
February 20, 2017
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Wisconsin’s Native Oaks – Pests

Native Oak Pests & Diseases Two-lined Chestnut borer “The most important insect cause of oak mortality is the two-lined chestnut borer (Agrilus bilineatus).” This statement by Phil Pellitteri, a former professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is one all who plant native oaks in Wisconsin should be aware of. These […]
February 15, 2017
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Timing Is Everything

Timing Is Everything I’ve heard it said a hundred times, “in life, timing is everything”. I believe this is true in life, love, and horticulture. Success or failure depends on it. In my life, if I hadn’t met my love, Lori, when I was a 21-year-old, wide-eyed hippie working at […]
October 24, 2016
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Sugar Maple – King of the Woods

Sugar Maple – King of the Woods My friend Karl told me one time that he thinks he’s part Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). Ya really! He told me he is related to the tree. He says it comes from his father’s side of the family because they were foresters and […]
September 14, 2016
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Planting Container Trees in Fall

Planting Container Trees in Fall Planting Container Trees in Fall How timing and plant selection can decrease stress on plant and person alike. Fall is a great time for planting trees. It\’s a total win-win. Trees don\’t like to be moved, it stresses them out. Planting container trees in fall […]