Division of Extension
Looking for a fall-bloomer other than mums or asters? The genus Chelone is a native perennial with the common name of turtlehead from the resemblance of the flowers to the shape of a turtle’s head with its mouth partly open. The various species all bloom in late summer to fall, for a spark of pink, red or white flowers on dark green plants. You can learn more about this genus in this article…
With billowy white or purple flowers, sweet alyssum is a good addition to annual flower beds or containers. This low-growing plant native to the Mediterranean makes a good ground cover and the sweetly fragrant flowers are attractive to many beneficial insects. Learn more about sweet alyssum in this article.
Brighten the fall landscape with fall-blooming bulbs – yes, there are some fall-bloomers that thrive in Wisconsin. Autumn crocus is probably the best of these, with large, chalice-shaped flowers in pink or white. The foliage appears in spring and dies back in early summer, leaving the flowers to pop up on their own in the fall. To learn more about this bulb (that isn’t really a true crocus), read this article…
Want an easy-to-grow plant to provide a tropical feel for the growing season? Papyrus is a tropical perennial grown as an annual in the Midwest. It is right at home in shallow water gardens, but can also be grown in containers or moist ground. To find out more about this interesting plant, read this article…
Cardinal flower is an unmistakable brilliant red perennial for moist spots. This native perennial is found in moist open woods, streambanks and marshy areas and makes a great addition to the landscape. Learn more about this great plant with flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds in this article.
With its soft, silvery leaves, dusty miller is typically grown as an annual foliage plant. The color is an accent to the green of most other plant leaves and complements brightly colored flowers. Read much more in this article.
Related to broccoli and cauliflower, romanesco is a weird vegetable with pointed cones all over! To learn more about this interesting vegetable, read this article…
The genus Stachys includes many members, some prized for their fuzzy leaves (lamb’s ears) while others are grown primarily for their flowers. The cultivar ‘Hummelo’ is one of the latter, with bright purple-pink flowers in mid-summer held well above the dark green basal leaves. Read more about this attractive Stachys cultivar in this article…
With short, bright red leaves held upright for a spiky appearance, Japanese bloodgrass is an interesting addition to the garden for contrast in texture and color. But this species is also an invasive pest in many parts of the world. To learn more about this plant read this article…
Spotted tentiform leafminer causes stippled blotches on apple tree leaves. To learn more about this insect pest, read this article…
‘Carol Mackie’ daphnea is a medium-sized shrub with fragrant flowers in spring and attractive, variegated foliage the rest of the growing season. To learn more about this low-maintenance plant, read this article…
The stately purple spires of ‘Purple Majesty’ ornamental millet have been a staple in many gardens for the last several years. Several other cultivars have been developed to add interest in color, texture and form. This article provides more details on this popular annual ornamental grass.
