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.
Articles
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.
Moss Rose, Portulaca grandiflora
Moss rose, Portulaca grandiflora. does well in hot dry conditions where other annuals fail. This semi-succulent annual native to South America has showy flowers that bloom all summer long. Learn more moss rose and its many cultivars and hybrids in this article.
Flowering Tobacco, Nicotiana sylvestris
Flowering tobacco offers dramatic foliage and sweet-scented flowers in late summer. This annual plant with clusters of tubular white flowers atop huge, chartreuse to green leaves is easy to grow and combines well with many other annuals. To learn more about Nicotiana sylvestris read this article.