Articles

Leeks

Leeks are an onion relative that is a very easy to grow cool season crop well suited to cultivation in Wisconsin. Learn more about this tasty vegetable by reading this article…

Popcorn Cassia, Senna (=Cassia) didymobotrya

Popcorn cassia is an unusual accent plant with bright yellow showy flowers contrasting with its striking black buds. This tender plant can provide seasonal vertical interest with its tall flower spikes and a tropical effect with its attractive foliage. To learn more about this small tree native to eastern Africa, read this article…

Northern Masked Chafer

A potentially serious insect pest of turfgrass, Masked Chafer has only been found in a few counties in southern Wisconsin. Learn how to be on the lookout for this pest in this publication.

Stromanthe thalia ‘Tricolor’

Tricolor is a stunning plant with dramatic variegated foliage with different colors on the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Although it is a tender tropical, it can be grown in the Midwest as a seasonal annual or year-round as a houseplant. To learn more about Stromanthe sanguinea in this article.

Using Wood Ash in the Home Garden

Wood ash can provide certain soil nutrients, and can be used to raise soil pH. However, if used incorrectly or excessively, problems can occur. Learn more in this factsheet.

Variegated Shell Ginger, Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’

Variegated shell ginger provides large, tropical foliage with striking color and bold texture in one plant. Grow outdoors as an annual or grow it as a houseplant. Learn more about Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’ in this article.

Four O’Clock, Mirabilis jalapa

With flowers in a variety of bright and pastel shades, Four O’Clocks are fast-growing tender perennials grown as annuals in cool climates. Most flowers open early in the day, but one species from the tropical Andes opens late in the day since its pollinators are evening-flying sphinx moths. To learn more about the plant commonly called four o’clocks, read this article.

Harvesting Vegetables from the Home Garden

Harvesting vegetables at the right stage of growth is essential. This 4-page publication briefly lists the characteristics to look for to know when it’s time to harvest.

Flapjacks, Kalanchoe spp.

Flapjacks offers bold texture in its paddle-shaped leaves and often dramatic colors of the fleshy foliage. These tender succulents can provide architectural interest outdoors in the summer and moved indoors for the winter. Learn more about this species of Kalanchoe in this article.

Indian Corn

Indian or flint corn is one of many types of maize or corn with colored kernels, either of a single or multiple colors. To learn more about these types of corn that have attractively-colored kernels, read this article…

Yellow Wax Bells, Kirengeshoma palmata

Mums, aster and goldenrod are the main players in the autumn garden, with few options for shade perennials that bloom late in the year. An unusual, late-blooming plant for the shade garden with striking foliage is yellow wax bells. Find out more about this plant that comes into its own as everything around it is starting to decline in this article…

Rubygrass, Melinus nerviglumis

Rubygrass is grown as an annual in Wisconsin with attractive blue green foliage and fluffy pink flower heads. Learn more about this interesting African grass in this article.