Woodpeckers and Nuthatches

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323446404579011172323705040.html?KEYWORDS=Emerald+Ash+Borer

Red-bellied woodpeckers and white-breasted nuthatches populations are booming as they feast on the larvae of emerald ash borers.

Two of my favorite local birds, commonly seen in our garden.

Michigan Gardener

http://www.michigangardener.com/

Michigan is close to Wisconsin, right?

Terra Nova

http://www.terranovanurseries.com/gardeners/index.php

We heard about Dan Heims and Terra Nova Nurseries from Matt Singer at last night's garden walk at Boerner.

Bolero

http://www.waysidegardens.com/agastache-bolero/p/31529/

We have an Agastache 'Bolero' near the front step, it will be interesting to see if it survives the winter.

Late Season Blooms at Boerner

On Wednesday (9-11-2013), we attended the garden walk at Boerner Botanical Garden.

The topic was late season blooms.

The guide was Matt Singer from Four Season Landscape.

We saw a ton of blooms like asters, coneflowers, turtleheads, black-eyed susans, Ligularia, Anemone, and many others.

We also saw a beautiful white-tipped hemlock.

And we sampled the very tart fruit of the Cornelian cherry dogwood.

A beautiful evening for a garden walk, and lots of fun.

Counts as one hour continuing MGV education.

Keyhole Garden

http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/garden-design/the-ins-and-outs-of-a-keyhole-garden

This looks like a fun project.

Toledo Zoo

http://www.finegardening.com/item/29668/gardens-at-the-toledo-zoo

Another nice garden I would like to visit.

Lamb's Quarters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chenopodium_album

This is an uncommon weed in our garden.

Caterpillar

An MGV took this photo at Eble.  We had similar caterpillars in the garden this year.

Culantro

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eryngium_foetidum

I learned about a new (to me) herb on the Boerner herb garden walk.

Culantro, not to be confused with Cilantro.

A cousin to rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium).

I am amazed bordering on stupification that Boerner had a herb that I had never heard of.

Herbs at Boerner

On Wednesday, September 4, we attended the garden walk at Boerner Botanical Garden.

The topic was herbs.

The guide was Peggy Zautke, Milwaukee County horticulturist.

There is an eclectic collection of herbs at Boerner, and the guide talked about many of them, but there was not time to talk about all of them.

Included was elderberry, herb of the year for 2013.

The guide has a tremendous knowledge of herbs and their uses.

Counts as 1.0 MGV continuing education hour.

Conifers at Boerner

On Wednesday, August 28, we attended the garden walk at Boerner Botanical Garden.

The topic was conifers.

The guide was Mike Kreuser, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of conifers.

We learned about many varieties of arborvitae, spruce, pines, etc.

The guide pointed out that even dwarf varieties might get big after many years.

Tons of fun and well worth attending.

Counts as 1.5 MGV continuing education hours.

Imprelis

http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/pubs/briefs/ImprelisUpdate2013.pdf

Active ingredient was aminocyclopyrachlor.

Either DuPont failed on their testing or lawn care companies did not apply the herbicide to DuPont's specifications?

What other explanations are there?

Resurrection Lily

http://monchesfarm.com/FEATURElycoris.htm

We saw several outstanding specimens on the Boerner garden walk last night.

Frogs in the garden pool

Yesterday, there were six (6!) frogs in the garden pool.

Most seen at once so far this year.

Clay Busters

http://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/clod-busters.aspx

Features some interesting choices.

The cultivars of Dr. Culver's Root are nice.

Sunset Glow

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/805/sunset-glow-bamboo.php

Part sun and zone 5, this might be the bamboo for us.

Trial Gardens at Boerner

On Wednesday (yesterday), we attended the garden walk at Boerner Botanical Garden.

The topic was "Tour the Trial Garden."

The guide was Amber Liss, Milwaukee County Horticulturist.

It was a beautiful evening for a garden walk, and we enjoyed it very much.  The guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about her trial gardens.

We saw lots of great annuals, hydrangeas, dahlias (including a 100 year heirloom), roses, a bee hive, and much more.

Well worth attending.

Counts as one hour continuing MGV education.

Lady in Black

http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/asster-lateriflorus-lady-in-black.aspx

I love Asters.

Flamingo Feather Purple

Celosia 'Flamingo Feather Purple'

http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/ProductCart/pc/Flamingo-Feather-Purple-Celosia-Flower-Seeds-p5749.htm

We have a few plants in the garden.

There are containers in the neighborhood where it is particularly effective in combination with cut-leaf ornamental kale.

Frogs in the garden pool

Just counted five (5) frogs in the garden pool.

Frogs in the garden pool

There were five (5!) frogs in the garden pool today.

Plant Delights

http://www.plantdelights.com/

They offer some interesting garden-themed t-shirts.

And are big into Hellebores.

Miracle Fruit

http://parkseed.com/miracle-fruit-shrub/p/33804/

It might survive as a house plant, but probably not.

Sunshine Selections

http://www.sunfarm.com/specials/sunshine_selections.php

Features some good prices on hellebore seedlings.

Fuchsia

http://www.americanfuchsiasociety.org/articledirectory/

I love Fuchsia, but they are challenging to grow here.

Spicy Fragrant Lilies

http://www.johnscheepers.com/flower-bulbs-index/hardy-lilies/chinese-trumpet/chinese-trumpet-lily-mixture.html

Very nice, I want some.

Why are there no Monarchs in my garden?

http://e360.yale.edu/feature/tracking_the_causes_of_sharp__decline_of_the_monarch_butterfly/2634/#.UgIqJPTfaqk.email

Roundup vs. Monarchs

Diervilla

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/d784/diervilla-sessilifolia-lpdc-podaras-cool-splash.aspx

We saw a couple of nice variegated Diervilla on the Boerner Natives garden walk last night.

They have been on my wish list for several years.

Frogs in the garden pool

There were four (4!) frogs in the garden pool today.

Very welcome in the garden.

Calamint

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/c459/calamintha-arkansana.aspx

We saw a nice specimen on the Boerner Natives garden walk.

Added to my wish list.

Wu Wei Zi

http://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/sites/fruitadvisor/files/fact-sheets/pdf/Schisandra%20Project%20Report.pdf

Since the native grapes grow well in our yard, maybe this vine would do OK.

Botanophilia

http://www.botanophilia.com/

Nick Ternes passed out a paper catalog at the Boerner Natives garden walk.

It is like a wish list for our garden.

There are not enough open spaces in the garden to accommodate all the cool selections.

River Locust

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/false_indigo.htm

The specimen we saw at Boerner on the Natives walk was huge.

I would like to have one, but I am not sure there is any spot in the garden that would accommodate such a large shrub.

Bottlebrush Buckeye

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/b180/aesculus-parviflora.aspx

On my wish list.

The specimen we saw at Boerner on the Natives walk was huge.

Natives at Boerner

Yesterday, we attended the evening garden walk at Boerner Botanical Garden.

http://www.boernerbotanicalgardens.org/support/e3-2.html

The topic was Native Wisconsin Plants and Wild Flowers.

The guide was Nick Ternes of Botanophilia LLC.

http://www.botanophilia.com/

We saw a lot of native plants and learned a lot of interesting things about them.

Very informative.  Well worth attending.

Counts as 1.5 hours MGV continuing education credit.

Fernwood

http://www.fernwoodbotanical.org/

Remind me to visit this destination garden the next time I am in Niles, Michigan.

Blue Magic

http://www.johnscheepers.com/muscari-aucheri-blue-magic.html

I should plant a couple of hundred.

Spider Lily

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/w870/hymenocallis-caroliniana.aspx

Sounds difficult with the extreme moisture requirement and the marginal hardiness.

Japanese beetles

I have been killing a few Japanese beetles in the garden the last few days, less than a dozen per day, a manageable number so far.

Tiny toads in the garden

I have been seeing lots of tiny toads in the garden lately.

Going to be dangerous for the slugs in the garden when all these toads get a little bigger.

Frog in the garden pool

There is a small frog that perches on the crocodile head in the garden pool.

Saw the frog perched there twice today.

Toad in the Garden

This toad periodically burrows into the soil in this particular pot.

Yes, I know, hard to see, the toad blends perfectly with the color of the soil.  In this photo, the toad is not burrowed in, it is sitting on top of the soil.

Butchart Gardens

http://www.butchartgardens.com/

Yet another gardening destination I would love to visit.

But I do not want to leave the USA.

Tough choices.

Magyar

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/c881/ginkgo-biloba-magyar.aspx

We saw Ginkgo biloba 'Magyar' at Northwind Perennial Farm.  Nice looking tree, would love to have one.

Today's Plantings

False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina racemosa) [purchased from Shady Acres] planted near the ford

Bugbane (Cimicifuga racemosa) [purchased from Shady Acres] planted near the ford

Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria 'Blood Red') [purchased from Shady Acres] planted near the front step

Lamb's Ear (Stachys monnieri 'Hummelo') [purchased from Shady Acres] planted near the front step

Winecups (Callirhoe involucrata) [purchased from Shady Acres] planted near the front step

Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) [purchased from Shady Acres] planted in the NE corner of the yard

Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia nitida 'Herbstsonne') [purchased from Shady Acres] planted in the NE corner of the yard

Purple Daze

http://purpledazedaylilies.com/

Today was open house at Purple Daze Daylily Garden in Franklin, WI.

We toured the garden and it is spectacular, tons of blooms and not just daylilies.

We also got to meet Ferguson, a very friendly puppy.

Very much enjoyed our visit.

Saw fellow MGV Sue R. there, always good to talk to her.

Natives vs. Ornamentals

http://northwindperennialfarm.com/main.html

We attended the educational program at Northwind this morning.

The presenter was Ed Lyon, Director of Allen Centennial Garden at UW-Madison.

The topic was Natives vs. Ornamentals.

His conclusion was to use the right plant in the right place, with which I am very much in favor.

Counts as one hour of ongoing MGV education credit.

Tiny Toads in the Garden

Two tiny toads in the garden today, first of the season.

About two weeks later than 2010 and 2012, which is consistent with the timetable for just about everything else.

Italian White

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.asp?prodid=1020

I love white flowers, because they glow at dawn and dusk.

Peaches and Cream

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/64638-product.html

A new mutant honeysuckle created by gamma ray radiation.

I want one.  Maybe more than one.

Osiris Cafe Noir

http://www.waysidegardens.com/osiris-cafe-noir-ligularia/p/30715/

Would be a welcome addition to the garden, to accompany our Othello and Desdemona Ligularias.

Bluebird Aster

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/y780/symphyotrichum-laeve-bluebird.aspx

I love Asters.

The Asteroid?

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010/10/02/possibly-goldenrod-hooded-owlet-caterpillar/

Just one more reason to grow goldenrods in the garden.

Boerner Butterfly Walk

We attended the garden walk at Boerner Botanical Gardens this evening.

The topic was "Bed and breakfast plants that support butterflies."

The guide was Barb Agnew of Barb and Dick's Wild Flower.

The walk was fun and educational.  The guide is an enthusiastic advocate for butterfly gardening with an encyclopedic knowledge of butterflies, caterpillars, and the plants that support them.

Counts as one hour of ongoing MGV education.

Today's Plantings

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' (near the Hoffmeyer locust tree)

Miscanthus 'Little Nicky' (near the Hoffmeyer locust tree)

False Solomon's Seal

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/fs_solomon.htm

We have a lot of Solomon's Seal, but none of the False Solomon's Seal.

Today's Plantings

Asclepias tuberosa (by the Monrovia Japanese maple)

Asiatic Lily 'Partner' (by the Monrovia Japanese maple)

Speedwell (Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles') [northeast of Seven Sons]

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) [out from Andrew's west window]

Andre Chaudron

http://monchesfarm.com/FEATUREnepetaSDA.htm

If Monches Horticulturist Zannah Crowe is going to recommend it this highly, then I want one.

Cherokee Chief

We have admired the red-flowered dogwood in the garden at the southeast corner of Parkview and 120th for several years.

I learned today from the gardener that it is Cherokee Chief.

[Edited to correct intersection.]

Smartweed

http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Survival/Pages/smartweed.html

A close cousin of Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate, makes weeding tricky.

Purple Daze Daylily Garden

http://purpledazedaylilies.com/home.htm

We walk by this garden a couple of times a week.

Very nice garden, and not just daylilies.

Today's Planting

http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/physocarpus/summer-wine-ninebark-physocarpus-opulifolious

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolious 'Summer Wine')

It was a tough choice among Summer Wine, Coppertina, and Diablo (AKA Diabolo).

I chose Summer Wine for its compact stature.

Today's Plantings

Korean Maple (west of the red-flowered dogwood)

Redbud (southwest of the western crabapple tree)

Today's Plantings

Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' (west of the big bluestem)

Penstemon 'Dark Towers' (west of the big bluestem)

Caucasian Spinach

http://www.umassdining.com/blog/permaculture/hablitzia-tamnoides-and-coming-permaculture-plant

Shade tolerant, sounds like a winner, I want some.

White Nancy

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/d720/lamium-maculatum-white-nancy.aspx

Lamium maculatum 'White Nancy'

Its toughness is going to be tested, because we have wet soils in winter and dry soils in late summer.

Who was Joan Elliott?

http://www.paghat.com/campanula4.html

The above link answers the question about the origins of the name of the bellflower.

Joan Elliott

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/78839/#b

Campanula glomerata 'Joan Elliott'

Note the hater at the link, might be invasive.

Some local MGVs were discussing Campanula glomerata 'Superba' and they made similar comments regarding keeping it under control.

Today's Plantings

White Nancy (in the furry mint garden)

American Feverfew (native, some pundits call it "minimally ornamental")

Persicaria (repotted to a larger pot, hanging on the hedge in front of the living room window)

'Joan Elliott' bellflower (in the old cow parsnip garden)

New Jersey tea (west of the big bluestem)

'Petite Delight' bee balm (west of the big bluestem)

Today's Plantings

Cardinal Flower (near the telephone pole)

Black Mondo Grass (in a larger pot)

Pyrethrum Daisy (south of the Hoffmeyer locust)

Crapemyrtle

http://www.waysidegardens.com/moonlight-magic-crapemyrtle/p/30739/

Maybe with continued global warming, we can grow crapemyrtle someday.

Basket Columns

http://www.kinsmangarden.com/product/Basket-Column-For-Large-Pots

Very clever.

Silver Bells

http://fleurcottage.blogspot.com/2011/05/akebia-silver-bells-chocolate-vine.html

'Silver Bells' chocolate vine

We have an old-fashioned chocolate vine, it would be nice to have this one in addition.

Today's Plantings

Chameleon (Houttuynia cordata), planted near the telephone pole

Hosta (from Monches, might be Tall Boy), planted near the Redbud

'Black Pearl' ornamental pepper, planted in a pot

Orange Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), planted near the hops

Unknown, planted near the hops (we had a plant in a small pot, no tag, neither of us remembers buying it)

Superba

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/s550/campanula-glomerata-superba.aspx

Campanula glomerata 'Superba'

Local MGVs report that they do well here.

The Dawes Arboretum

http://dawesarb.org/

Columbus, Ohio is now on my destination list so that I can see the 2,000 foot hedge that spells out "Dawes Arboretum."

Frog in the Garden Pool

There was a frog in the garden pool today, first one I have seen in a long time.

River Mist

http://www.waysidegardens.com/river-mist-northern-sea-oats/p/30694/

A variegated Northern Sea Oats.

On my wish list.

Lynnhaven Carpet

http://www.waysidegardens.com/lynnhaven-carpet-erigeron/p/34756/

Would like to try it, though the good drainage requirement could be a problem.

Arrowhead Blog

Interesting blog but he does not post very often.

http://blog.arrowheadalpines.com/

Petunia exserta

http://www.nybg.org/plant-talk/2012/04/science/petunias-rare-and-red/

An exceedingly rare species petunia pollinated by hummingbirds.

St. John's Day

Monday June 24 2013 was St. John's Day.

As I usually do, on that day I burned St. John's Wort cut from our own garden to grant us good luck during the coming year.

Michaux's Bellflower

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.asp?prodid=2814

Would be OK if it actually did reseed itself.

More rain

Only 1/8 inch rain yesterday.

Rose Walk

Yesterday, we attended the Rose Walk "Fabulous Roses" at Boerner Botanical Garden.

The guide was Bruce Barr, who is passionate about roses (he has over 250 roses in his own garden).

The roses at Boerner were in the peak of bloom, so it was stunning.

Counts as one hour continuing MGV education.

And we won the door prize, a two gallon pot of Grandma's Blessing rose.

Toad in the Garden

Yesterday, there was a big black toad under the bayberry.

Flooded Garden

Another 1/4 inch of rain yesterday, and the garden is flooded, front and back.

No-lawn Yard

http://www.finegardening.com/item/28349/kristins-no-lawn-yard-in-minnesota

Excellent.

Rain and more rain

1 3/8 inches rain overnight.

An additional 1/2 inch this morning.

Chocolate Vine

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/chocolate-vine.pdf

If it grows to 40 feet, the pole I have it growing on is not going to be tall enough.

Lemon Mint

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MOCI

An annual Monarda.

We have grown it in the past, but it does not reseed itself for us.

Virginia Silk

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.asp?prodid=3487

The most fragrant milkweed.

Davis Showy Milkweed

http://www.butterflyencounters.com/davis-showy-milkweed.html

Very attractive, hardy to zone 3 (some other sites say 4).

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

http://shootingstarnursery.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=668

On my wish list.

No More 10-10-10

http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/tools-materials/when-to-skip-using-balanced-fertilizer-on-plants

Too much phosphorus is not good.

Hostas at Boerner

We attended the hosta walk at Boerner Botanical Garden today.

The guide was Chuck Steele of the local Hosta society.

Informative and entertaining on a beautiful evening in the gardens.

Counts as two hours of continuing MGV education.

If you could grow anything you wanted?

When we moved to our small farm in Minnesota in 1994, we told our son, who was five at the time, that he could grow anything he wanted in our garden. "I want to grow bacon," he responded.

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/13756/the-best-heirloom-vegetables

Mourning Cloak

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphalis_antiopa

I saw one in the garden yesterday.

Prairie Petunia

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/hw_petuniax.htm

We bought one from Betty Adelman, a very nice plant.

Ours has pinker flowers than most of the online photos, which tend more towards light purple.

Bill Wallis

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/search/lst.srch.asp?prodid=440

We love perennial geraniums.

Chomley Farran

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/search/lst.srch.asp?prodid=2214

A real stunner.

Purple Angelica

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/search/lst.srch.asp?prodid=1618

None of our purples reseeded, but we have a million greens.

Weedy Goat's Beard

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/wst_goatbeard.htm

Have not seen this one in the garden.

Arctic Iris

http://www.doug-greens-perennials.com/arctic-iris.html

Zone 2.

Torenia

http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/torenia.html

Beautiful flowers.

Beni Shichihenge

http://www.mikesbackyardnursery.com/2013/06/beni-shichihenge-japanese-maple-acer-palmatum-beni-shichihenge/

Would love to have one.

Edible Flowers

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/best-edible-flowers

We grow nasturtium, calendula, viola, and borage, but we rarely eat the flowers.

Kitchen Herb Garden

http://www.motherearthliving.com/herb-gardening/10-easy-to-grow-herbs-simple-kitchen-herb-garden.aspx#axzz2W6GI3ybo

We have all the herbs listed except Cilantro.

Have to look for "Santo" or "Delfino."

Shortwood

http://hoosiergardener.com/?p=6910

Features a list of garden phlox highly rated by the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Reusing Potting Soil

http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/qa/reusing-potting-soil-from-year-to-year

Complicated issues.

Globe Amaranth

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/a115/gomphrena-globosa.aspx

I planted four today.

Aristolochia

http://monchesfarm.com/FEATUREaristolochia.htm

We have two Dutchman's Pipe Vines.

Birthwort is on my wish list.

Shady Combos

http://www.gardengatenotes.com/2013/06/11/shade-combo/

Our lady's mantle does not reseed like crazy.

In fact, ours does not reseed at all.

Black Adder

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/d555/agastache-black-adder.aspx

Would be a nice addition to the garden but for two problems:

Zone 6

Intolerant of wet winter clay.

Blue Poppy

http://www.anniesannuals.com/signs/M/Meconopsis_X_Sheldonii.htm

Gorgeous flower, but it would not survive here since it cannot tolerate cold winters or hot summers.

Clethra

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/a340/clethra-alnifolia-hummingbird.aspx

On my wish list.

Gutter Gardens

http://gardenmash.com/gutter-gardens-gardening-made-comfortable/

Very clever.

Spice Bush

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/d890/lindera-benzoin.aspx

None of the local vendors have this native shrub.

Down the Garden Path with Lawanda

http://books.google.com/books/about/Down_the_Garden_Path_with_Lawanda.html?id=wuWkpwAACAAJ

Odd that this book is not on Goodreads nor is it in the MCFLS.

The Pesticide Threat

http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=10572

Lots of poisoners in the village.

Licorice Plant

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/a584/helichrysum-petiolare.aspx

Makes a good spiller.

Requires good drainage, which can be better supplied in containers versus heavy clay soils.

First toads of 2013

Saw two large toads in the garden yesterday, first ones of 2013.

Lobelia

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.asp?prodid=617

Would love to try this, but concerned that like most Lobelia, it would be short-lived.

Also, the moisture requirements seem extreme.  Similar to Astilbe, a dry plant is a dead plant.

Stinking Iris

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/z710/iris-foetidissima.aspx

Would love to grow this, but it is Zone 6.

Maybe with a little more global warming.

Hypertufa

http://www.plantersplace.com/upload/articles/a-trough-of-ones-own-jul01/

This project has been on my to-do list for several years.

Maybe I can do it this summer.

Garlic Mustard

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/metro/urban-jungle/pages/130416.html

Not the most serious weed in our garden by a huge margin.

Wild & Weedy

http://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738719078

A Wild & Weedy Apothecary by Doreen Shababy

Looks like an interesting book.

Another Dormant Gardening Blog

http://beeinthecity.wordpress.com/

It always makes me wonder when an active gardening blog goes dormant.

First Hummingbird of 2013

There was a male hummingbird working the hanging basket of moss roses last evening.

Runner Beans

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/3533/plant-some-runner-beans

Some varieties are very ornamental.

Feverfew

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/z960/tanacetum-parthenium-aureum.aspx

All this time, I thought we had the American feverfew, when we really have the invasive European feverfew.

But the one we have is a great plant, a tried and true performer.

We will have to get some American feverfew to go with it.

Another Guerrilla Gardener

Thanks to Elizabeth for sending me this link.

http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181691507/how-can-you-give-a-community-better-health

He is doing righteous work.

Blue Heaven

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/d804/schizachyrium-scoparium-minnbluea-blue-heaven.aspx

I never met a little bluestem that I did not like.

And if it performs well in poor soils, we have them.

Jack

http://www.hortmag.com/plants/plants-we-love/jack-in-the-pulpit-a-unique-perennial-for-shade

We love our Jacks, and they do well, spreading by themselves.

We have more now than we have ever had.

Golden Seal Root

http://www.herb-roots.com/roots/goldenseal.html

Would like to try some in the woodland garden.

A Shady Front Yard Garden

http://www.finegardening.com/item/27729/miyakos-shady-front-yard-garden-in-connecticut

Beautiful garden featuring some of my favorites: hellebore, Virginia bluebells, trillium, etc.

Snakes as Predators of Slugs

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/facts-about-slugs-and-how-to-kill-garden-slugs.htm

I would love to attract snakes to my garden, but have had no success so far.

Medlar

http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=7715

Still on my wish list.

Strawberry Spinach

http://parkseed.com/strawberry-spinach/p/05471-PK-P1/

Chenopodium capitatum

A fascinating combo of fruit and edible greens.

Mulberry

http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=3103

Illinois Everbearing Mulberry

Want one.

Martagon Lily

http://www.waysidegardens.com/product.aspx?p=08694&gclid=CJ67taHE97YCFYMWMgodXl0ALA

Would love to have some, but $20 per bulb is a significant barrier.

Schisandra Berry

http://www.oikostreecrops.com/Edible-Fruits/Grapes-and-Vines--/Schisandra--Berry/p-68-140-998/

Shade tolerant, so might be a good choice for a woodland vine in our garden.

Blue Joint

http://www.everwilde.com/store/Calamagrostis-canadensis-Seed.html

"the most frequent grass associate of sedges"

We have numerous sedges but no blue joint.

Have to get some.

Early Amethyst

http://parkseed.com/product.aspx?p=48727&utm_source=PK130502

Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst'

Would love to have a beautyberry, but we do not have full sun and we do not have well-drained soil.

Brush Piles

http://extension.umd.edu/learn/wildlife-management-brush-piles

We are doing our part by maintaining a brush pile in the garden.

Lush Landscaping

Thanks to Elizabeth for sending me this link.

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2013/04/scienceshot-global-warming-at-yo.html

I am in favor of lush landscaping.

Shiso

http://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/7-herbs-that-grow-in-shade-shiso.aspx

Perilla frutescens

"Self-seeds readily" but not in our garden, or at least not yet.

Frogs in the garden

There were two frogs in the garden pool yesterday.

Have not seen any toads yet.

Fumewort

http://monchesfarm.com/CORYDALISSOLIDA.htm

Would be a welcome addition to the woodland garden.

Beaver near the garden

A couple of weeks ago, there was a dead beaver on Janesville Road just east of 116th.

I have lived in the village almost 30 years, and that is the first beaver I have seen in Hales Corners.

Red Oak

The Village of Hales Corners was giving away oak seedlings for Arbor Day.

They had both Bur Oak and Red Oak.

We took one Red Oak at planted it in the back yard.

Penny Citrus Mix

http://www.harrisseeds.com/storefront/p-9128-viola-penny-citrus-mix.aspx

We bought a flat from Wayne's Daughters.

All 48 plants are in the ground.

Majestic Giant Pansy

http://www.gardenality.com/Plants/553/Annual-Plants/Majestic-Giant-Mix-Pansy.html

Viola wittrockiana 'Majestic Giant'

We bought a flat from Ron & Sue at Luxembourg Gardens.

All 48 plants are in the ground.

Lowell Damon House Historic Gardens

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Damon_House

This is an MGV project, and on my destination list.

Morning Glory Lights

http://www.gardeners.com/Morning-Glory-Lights/8587155,default,pd.html?SC=ALTRT666

Would like to have a string in the garden.

Dalmatian Iris

http://namethatplant.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/i-like-my-iris-grape-scented-and-variegated-please/

We have two clumps in the garden.

Dalmatian Foxgloves

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/flowers/flower-seeds/perennial-and-biennial-seeds/digitalis-dalmatian-collection/t99501pTM

Love Foxgloves, and want to try this series.

Root Flare Exposure

http://treeshepherds.net/services/root-flare-exposure/

Documents why planting trees too deep is a bad idea.

A very bad idea.

A Fragrant Viburnum

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/g200/viburnum-carlesii.aspx

On my wish list to improve the fragrance of the garden.

Mukwonago Museum

Yesterday, I attended the work session at the Mukwonago Museum (103 Main Street, Mukwonago, WI) with Vi and Ron (7 of us in total).

We mostly cleaned up the grounds.

It was fun because I also got to do some serious digging in the garden.  It would have been easier if I had taken my axe and rock bar.

Counts as 3.5 MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Edible Forest Gardens

http://www.edibleforestgardens.com/

"Perennial polycultures of multi-purpose plants in small-scale settings."

No Mushroom Compost

http://www.douggreensgarden.com/mushroom-compost.html

Devastating criticism.  I may have to stop using it.

Lime Zinger

http://www.greatgardenplants.com/index.php?pageId=1282

Sedum 'Lime Zinger'

Drought-proof ground cover.

Shade Tolerant Wildflowers

http://www.americanmeadows.com/wildflower-seeds/midwest/partial-shade-wildflower-seed-mix

A good list of partial shade wildflowers for the Midwest.

Groundnut

http://www.herb-roots.com/roots/groundnut.html

Survival food.

Winter hardy and shade tolerant, I should grow some.

Wayne's Daughters

http://www.waynesdaughtersgreenhouses.com/

Yet another greenhouse campus that I have not visited yet.

Green Cascade

http://www.richsfoxwillowpines.com/catalog/?product=159&

Would make a good choice for our next Japanese maple.

No Lawn Front Yard

http://www.finegardening.com/item/27220/karens-no-lawn-front-yard-in-california

Beautiful garden.

Tehan

http://www.tehangreenhouses.com/

Never been there, have to check it out.

Partygirl

http://www.bakker.co.uk/product/checker-mallow-partygirl-/

My kind of flower.

Compost

http://www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com/not-all-compost-is-created-equal/?

I am interested in better compost.

Straw Bale Gardening

http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/straw-bale-gardening.html

I want to try this.

Garden Revitalization

http://www.steingg.com/melindamyers_0413.asp

Rock star Melinda Myers offers advice.

Wolfberry

http://www.michiganbulb.com/product/Goji_Berry

The partial shade tolerance is a feature.

Honeyberry

http://www.oikostreecrops.com/Berries-Shrub-Crops/Fruiting-Shrub-Crops/Blue-Honeysuckle-----------------/p-147-148-1003/

Still on my wish list.

Early Spring Planting

http://www.menards.com/main/c-10000.htm?

Interesting comment on Diascia as an early flower.

Air wells

http://www.permies.com/t/23408/homestead/Air-collecting-water-air

Gives me motivation to go out and poach rocks.

Fox 6 Home Garden

Yesterday (Thursday, April 4, 2013), I attended the spring cleanup/planning session at the Fox 6 Home Garden in Brown Deer.

There were 9 of us, including our mentor, County Horticulture Agent Sharon Morrisey.

We planted two flats of pansies, a little color to brighten a very cool and windy day.

Very exciting to hear the plans for the new season.

Counts as 4.5 hours MGV volunteer time (includes driving time).

Roy

On Sunday (March 24, 2013), we attended the monthly meeting of the Southeast Wisconsin Daylily Society.

The featured speaker was Roy Diblik from Northwind.  Roy's topic was his own Know Maintenance system.  He showed many colorful photos of his own work, including his design at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Entertaining and informative.  Well worth attending.  And counts as one hour of MGV education.

Alternatives to Dame's Rocket

I compiled this list from various sources.

Woodland Phlox
Columbine
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia)
Hairy Wood Mint (Blephilia hirsuta)
Native Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)
Penstemon
Echinacea
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Golden Alexander (Zizea aurea)

An Overdressed Matron

http://goodoakllc.blogspot.com/2012/05/dames-rocket-overdressed-matron.html

Dame's Rocket = an overdressed matron wearing too much cheap perfume?

Heh, excellent.

Giallo Fiorito Granite

http://giallofiorito.com/

Would love to have a slab or two in the garden as accent pieces.

Either the Brazil or China version would be fine.

Alternatives to Oxeye Daisy

Consulting with several sources, I made a list of desirable alternatives to the invasive Oxeye Daisy.

Black-Eyed Susan
Fleabane
Shasta Daisy
Blanket Flower
Virginia Mountain Mint
American Feverfew
Chrysanthemum
Cosmos

It is an ongoing war, but we are replacing Oxeye Daisy incrementally.

Black Petunias

http://wimastergardener.org/?q=BlackPetunias

Probably a fading novelty.

And most of them are dark purple, not black.

Urine

http://predatorpee.com/

Maybe this would help with the vole problem.

Fine Gardening Garden Photo of the Day

http://pinterest.com/fggpod/

Tons of nice garden photos.

Dry stream

http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/garden-design/capture-and-direct-runoff-with-a-dry-stream

Fun idea.

Spring Seeds

Thanks to Elizabeth for sending me this link.

http://www.splendidtable.org/story/ten-picks-for-spring-seeds

We love nasturtiums.

Sand Cast

http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/53birdbath/

This looks like a fun project.

Bonsai

http://www.colinlewisbonsai.com/Reading.html

He is going to speak at Boerner, but I probably will not find the time to go.

Coyote in the garden

There was a coyote in the garden this morning.

It was eating off a stump where I put bird seed.

Coyote

There was a coyote in the garden today at 4pm.

Traversed north to south along the west side of the house, then headed west along the back fence line.

Neighbors have reported seeing coyotes, but this is the first one I have seen in years.

Deer track

There was a lone deer track across the yard a couple of days ago, first one in a long time.

Hawks Bites the Big One

Received an email from Hawks Nursery that they are selling out to Steins.

Very sad day for the gardening community.

Hawks was a destination, a unique place.

Meijer Gardens

http://www.finegardening.com/item/26479/nancys-visit-to-meijer-gardens-in-michigan

Added to my list of destinations, plus it would give us an excuse to visit Paul & Lisa in Grand Rapids.

First Chipmunk Sighting of 2013

Today, we saw a chipmunk by the front step.

Seems awful early.