Seasonal Tips
As July’s high temperatures and humidity settle in, your Southeast Wisconsin garden needs a little extra care to stay lush and productive. From keeping soil moisture consistent to staying ahead of pests and diseases, a few strategic tasks each week will help your plants power through the heat. Here are five essential July tips to maintain vibrant blooms, strong growth, and a healthy, low-maintenance landscape all month long.
Deep, Infrequent Watering
- Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and fungal risk.
- Give established shrubs and perennials a thorough soak (1–1½ inches) once a week, rather than light daily sprinkles. This encourages deeper root growth and greater drought resilience.
Stay Vigilant Against Pests & Diseases
- Inspect leaves and stems weekly for signs of Japanese beetles, spider mites, or fungal diseases (black spot on roses, powdery mildew on phlox).
- Treat early with insecticidal soap or a targeted fungicide to prevent outbreaks from spreading.
Deadhead & Pinch to Extend Bloom
- Remove spent flowers on perennials and shrubs (coneflowers, phlox, roses) to encourage new bud formation and maintain a tidy appearance.
- For annuals like petunias and geraniums, pinch back leggy growth to promote a bushier habit and continued flowering.
Mulch & Weed Management
- Refresh or add a 2–3″ layer of organic mulch (bark, straw, or chopped leaves) around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil temperatures stable.
- Pull weeds by hand before they set seed—mid-summer weeds can rapidly produce a second generation if left unchecked.
Feed & Support Summer Performers
- Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) to heavy feeders like roses, hydrangeas, and vegetables to sustain bloom and fruit development.
- Stake or cage tall perennials (delphiniums, tall phlox) before they flop under the weight of rain or blooms.
Specials
Summer is in full swing here at Heritage Hill Nursery, and we couldn’t be more excited to kick off the season with fresh blooms, soothing garden accents, and our very first e-commerce specials! Whether you’re savoring a quiet morning on the porch or planning a weekend garden gathering, we’ve got everything you need to make your outdoor space bloom with beauty and charm.
🌟 June Specials🌟
1. Cohasset Bamboo Wind Chimes — 35% OFF
Transform any outdoor nook into a haven of relaxation with the gentle melodies of our Cohasset Bamboo Wind Chimes. Handcrafted from sustainably harvested bamboo, these chimes produce a soft, earthy tone that complements birdsong and rustling leaves.
- Durable, weather-resistant finish
- Easy-to-hang removable striker for tone adjustment
- Perfect gift for Father’s Day or as a host/hostess gift
“All Sales Final”
2. Double Play™ Blue Kazoo® Spirea — 25% OFF
Meet the star of our early-summer lineup: Double Play™ Blue Kazoo® Spirea! This compact, ornamental shrub boasts vibrant blue-green foliage and clusters of soft pink flowers that delight pollinators and gardeners alike. Ideal for borders, containers, or mixed shrub beds.
- Mature size: 2–3 ft tall × 2–3 ft wide
- Thrives in full sun to part shade
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Great for mass plantings or specimen accents
“Other Spirea varieties are available at regular price.”
“All Sales Final”
🛒 ONLINE-ONLY OFFER — 25% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER
To celebrate the launch of our new e-commerce store, enjoy 25% OFF everything available online through June 30th! Whether you’re restocking perennials, adding new shrubs, or picking up garden décor, now’s the perfect time to shop from the comfort of home.
Use Coupon Code: JUNE25
Discount applies at checkout; no minimum purchase required.
Why You’ll Love Shopping Online
- Convenience: Browse our full inventory from anywhere, anytime.
- Secure Checkout: Your information is protected with industry-standard encryption.
- Easy Gifting: Send plants or garden accents directly to family and friends—perfect for Father’s Day surprises!
📝 What’s Next on the Blog?
- Plant Spotlight: A deep dive into Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis)—learn planting, care, and design tips in our 800-word feature.
- Garden Tips for Southeast Wisconsin: Five actionable pointers—like pruning spent perennials and early summer pest prevention—tailored to our local climate.
- Father’s Day Gift Guide: Wind chimes, decorative planters, easy-care shrubs, and more. Make Dad’s day memorable with a gift that keeps on giving!
Don’t miss out—these June specials end June 30th!
Head over to our online store, enter JUNE25 at checkout, and start making your garden the envy of the neighborhood.
Happy gardening!
— The Heritage Hill Nursery Team
Seasonal Tips
As the heat of early summer settles in across Southeast Wisconsin, your garden is entering one of its most rewarding—and demanding—phases. June brings long days of sunshine, making it the perfect time to establish strong roots, manage emerging growth, and keep pests at bay. By adopting a few simple routines each week, you’ll help your plants thrive through warm days and unpredictable rains. Here are five essential tips to guide your June gardening efforts and ensure your landscape stays healthy, vibrant, and low-maintenance all season long.
Water Early and Deep
- Aim to water your garden beds and containers in the early morning (before 9 AM) to minimize evaporation and fungal risk.
- Give shrubs and perennials a deep soak—about 1 inch of water—once or twice a week rather than light daily misting. This encourages roots to grow deeper and makes plants more drought-resilient.
Stay Ahead of Weeds
- Pull young weeds by hand whenever you spot them; seedlings are far easier to remove before they set seeds.
- Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch (wood chips or shredded bark) around your perennials and shrubs to suppress new weed growth and conserve soil moisture.
Deadhead and Prune Spent Blooms
- Regularly deadhead spring-flowering perennials (like peonies and pulmonaria) to tidy appearance and encourage any possible rebloom.
- Trim back any early-season flowering shrubs (forsythia, lilac) immediately after bloom to allow new buds for next year’s flowers to form.
Watch for Early Pests and Diseases
- Scout leaves—especially on roses, lilacs, and peonies—for signs of aphids or powdery mildew. Treat small infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Keep foliage dry by pruning overcrowded branches and ensuring good air circulation around your plants.
Feed and Divide Perennials
- Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) to established perennials and new plantings to support summer growth.
- If spring-blooming perennials (like hosta, iris, or bleeding heart) have become crowded, lift and divide now—replant healthy sections immediately and mulch to reduce transplant stress.
Specials
Celebrate the Season with Beautiful Additions to Your Garden
May is the perfect time to refresh your landscape, and Heritage Hill Nursery is excited to help you enhance your outdoor spaces with two special offers. Whether you’re looking to add a peaceful focal point to your garden or a hardworking native plant for groundcover, we have you covered.
45% Off All Fountains and Fountainettes
There’s nothing quite like the soothing sound of trickling water to bring tranquility to your garden or patio. Our curated collection of fountains and fountainettes offers something for every style—from classic tiered designs to naturalistic stone looks.
Why You’ll Love Our Fountains and Fountainettes:
- Create a peaceful, relaxing garden atmosphere
- Attract birds, butterflies, and other pollinators
- Add a dynamic visual and sound element to your landscaping
- Available in a variety of sizes, perfect for small spaces or large gardens
Now through May, enjoy 45% off all fountains and fountainettes. This is a wonderful opportunity to invest in a piece that will provide years of enjoyment.
Please note: All Sales Final
25% Off Aronia ‘Ground Hug’ Shrubs
For gardeners seeking a native groundcover that offers beauty and resilience, Aronia ‘Ground Hug’ is an outstanding choice. This low-growing variety of chokeberry provides four-season interest and requires very little maintenance once established.
Features of Aronia ‘Ground Hug’:
- Forms a dense, attractive groundcover perfect for slopes and erosion control
- Displays clusters of white flowers in spring
- Offers vibrant red and purple foliage in fall
- Highly drought-tolerant and adaptable to a range of soil types
- Provides important habitat and food for wildlife
For the month of May, take 25% off Aronia ‘Ground Hug’ shrubs.
Please note: This sale applies only to the ‘Ground Hug’ variety. Other chokeberry varieties are available at regular price. All Sales Final.
Visit Us This May
Heritage Hill Nursery is proud to offer high-quality plants and garden features that are well-suited to Southeast Wisconsin’s climate. Our team is here to help you find the perfect additions for your landscape. Stop by and take advantage of these May specials while supplies last.
Seasonal Tips
Plant, Protect, and Prepare for a Successful Season
May is a pivotal month for gardeners in Southeast Wisconsin. With the soil warming and the last frost dates typically passing between May 10 and 20 , it’s the ideal time to dive into planting, maintenance, and preparation for a thriving summer garden. Here are five essential gardening tasks to focus on this month.
1. Plant Warm-Season Vegetables and Annuals
By mid-May, it’s generally safe to plant warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and beans. Soil temperatures should consistently reach at least 60°F for optimal growth. This is also the perfect time to add vibrant annuals such as marigolds, petunias, and zinnias to your garden beds and containers.
Planting Tip: Before transplanting seedlings started indoors, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week. This process minimizes transplant shock and enhances their chances of thriving.
2. Divide Overcrowded Perennials
Spring is an excellent time to divide perennials like hostas, daylilies, and ornamental grasses.
- Encourages healthier, more vigorous plants
- Helps control the size of mature clumps
- Provides free plants to expand your garden or share with others
After dividing, water thoroughly and mulch around the new plantings to conserve moisture and reduce stress.
3. Feed Your Plants
The burst of spring growth can quickly deplete soil nutrients. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to nourish your garden beds, shrubs, and trees. Be sure to choose fertilizers appropriate for specific plant needs, such as acid-loving varieties like azaleas and rhododendrons.
Fertilizer Tip: Applying fertilizer just before a rainstorm can help the nutrients seep into the soil more effectively.
4. Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs After Bloom
Shrubs that bloom in early spring, such as lilacs, forsythias, and viburnums, should be pruned soon after they finish flowering. Proper pruning encourages:
- Better shape and structure
- More abundant blooms for next year
- Removal of any dead or damaged wood
Waiting too long to prune can reduce next year’s flowering.
5. Prepare for Common Pests
As the weather warms, insect pests such as aphids, slugs, and beetles begin to appear. Early preventative measures are important to keep damage minimal without resorting to heavy chemical use.
Pest Management Strategies:
- Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory wasps
- Hand-pick larger pests whenever possible
- Use row covers to protect young vegetable plants
- Keep garden beds weed-free, as weeds can harbor pests
May is the Month of Opportunity
The work you put into your garden now will pay off all season long. Whether you’re planting new flowers, setting out vegetable transplants, or installing a fountain to create a peaceful retreat, Heritage Hill Nursery is here to help. Stop by for expert advice, fresh plants, and the tools you need to make this your best gardening season yet.
