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.