Yellow Coneflower, Echinacea paradoxa

If you were the only plant with yellow flowers in a genus of all purple-flowered plants, you might get the name “paradox”, too. At least until the recent development of yellow and orange cultivars of purple coneflower, Echinacea paradoxa was the only plant in its genus with yellow flowers. Learn more about this interesting plant in this article…

Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum

Ornamental onions can be nice additions to the landscape. If you’re looking for something a little different than the “ball on a stick” look, check out Allium cernuum. This native species, called nodding onion, has drooping umbels of pink flowers. Read more about nodding onion in this article…

Yellow Foxglove, Digitalis grandiflora

Most people are familiar with the purple or white-flowered biennial foxglove. Did you know there is a perennial species with yellow flowers? Lean more about this attractive plant in this article…

Prairie Smoke, Geum triflorum

Geum triflorum is an attractive little prairie plant that easily makes the transition to a perennial border or rock garden to charm you with both its nodding pink flowers and wispy seedheads. Learn more about this interesting native plant in this article…

Common Yellow Woodsorrel, Oxalis stricta

Common yellow woodsorrel is a low-growing weed found throughout most of the US and almost all of Wisconsin. It can be a problem in gardens and lawns. Learn more about this species in this article…

Ranunculus gramineus

Do you want something different in your garden? Ranunculus gramineus is a small plant in the buttercup family that is not commonly offered as an ornamental. But it is quite attractive in mid spring, with delightful lemon yellow flowers held well above the blue-green, grassy foliage. Read more about this cute species in this article…

Hibiscus acetosella

When most people hear the word hibiscus, they envision a gaudy tropical flower. But not all Hibiscus species are that splashy, and one is grown primarily for its fantastic foliage. The purple-leaved H. acetoscella is easily grown from seed or cuttings as an annual to supply beautiful palmate leaves reminiscent of a Japanese maple. Learn more about this interesting tender perennial in this article…

Early Gems in the Rock Garden

My rock garden is where the first perennials, other than bulbs, bloom in my yard. Read about a few of my favorites that are the first to flower each spring. Several of these don’t need to be restricted to gravelly soils and would be a good addition to a small scale border where they can be appreciated up close. See these cute plants on display in this article…

Lemongrass, Cymbopogon spp.

For a light lemony flavor, nothing beats an infusion of lemongrass. This tropical grass can be grown in Wisconsin as an annual. To learn more about this sweet-smelling tender perennial , read this article…

Lychnis ×arkwrightii 'Vesuvius'

If you’re looking for a plant with purplish leaves in the spring and bright orange flowers, look no further Lychnis ×arkwrightii ‘Vesuvius’. This plant related to rose campion commands attention when it’s in bloom for a few weeks in early- to mid-summer. If you want to know more about this rarely-used perennial, read this article…

Swiss-Cheese Plant, Monstera deliciosa

It’s a tropical plant native to rainforests of Central America that is often grown as a foliage houseplant. With big holes in its leaves, it’s aptly called Swiss cheese plant, but is more commonly known as split-leaf philodendron. Did you know it also has edible fruits? Learn more about Monstera deliciosa in this article…

Heirloom Vegetables

Heirloom vegetables are popular these days, but do you know what this term means and what varieties really are heirlooms? You can read more about this topic in this article…

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