Some of our favorite plants for the season!
Spotlight Plants
Contender Peach Care Guide: Growing Contender Peach in Wisconsin (Zone 5b)
Common NameContender PeachBotanical NamePrunus persica 'Contender'Plant TypeDeciduous fruit treeHardiness Zone4b-8b (thrives in Zone 5b)Mature Size10 ft tall, 10 ft wideSun ExposureFull sun (6+ hours)Soil PreferenceEvenly moist, well-drainedBloom TimeEarly springBloom ColorShowy pinkNative ToNorth AmericaDeer ResistantNoPollinator FriendlyYes (bees) Why Contender Peach for Wisconsin Most peach varieties struggle in Wisconsin. Late spring frosts wipe out blossoms before fruit can develop. Contender was bred to handle exactly that problem. It blooms later than most peaches, which gives the flowers a better chance of surviving those unpredictable April and May cold snaps. The tree is hardy to Zone 4b, so our Zone 5b winters are well within its range. We've seen Contender produce reliable crops in years when other peach varieties came up empty. Planting Instructions When: Early spring...
Arnold Promise Witch Hazel
Common Name: Arnold Promise Witch HazelBloom Time: Late winter to early spring (February–March)USDA Zones: 5–8 (hardy in Southeastern Wisconsin)Mature Size: 12–15 ft. tall × 10–12 ft. wideHabit: Vase-shaped, multi-stemmed shrubFlower Color: Bright yellow, fragrant,...
Pink Knock Out® Rose
Common Name: Pink Knock Out® RoseBloom Time: Late spring until frost (May–October)USDA Zones: 5–10 (winter hardy in Southeastern Wisconsin with minimal protection)Mature Size: 3–4 ft. tall × 3–4 ft. wideHabit: Rounded, bushy, continuous-blooming shrub roseFlower...
North Pole® Arborvitae
Common Name: North Pole® ArborvitaeBloom Time: Evergreen (year-round interest)USDA Zones: 3–7 (exceptionally hardy in Southeastern Wisconsin)Mature Size: 10–15 ft. tall × 3–5 ft. wideHabit: Narrow, columnar evergreenFoliage: Dense, dark green, holds color through...
Plant Spotlight: Happy Face® Hearts Potentilla
Common Name: Happy Face® Hearts PotentillaBloom Time: Late spring through frost (May–October)USDA Zones: 2–7 (exceptionally hardy in Southeast Wisconsin)Mature Size: 2–3 ft. tall × 2–3 ft. wideHabit: Compact, rounded shrubFlower Color: Cheerful yellow to orange blooms...
Grape Lollipop Phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Ditomsur’ PP21,109)
Common Name: Grape Lollipop Garden PhloxBloom Time: Mid-summer through early fall (July–September)USDA Zones: 3–8 (reliably hardy in Southeast Wisconsin)Mature Size: 18–24 in. tall × 18–24 in. wideHabit: Compact, upright clump with rounded flower headsFragrance:...
Ironweed
Common Name: Prairie IronweedBloom Time: Late summer (August–September)USDA Zones: 3–9Mature Size: 4–6 ft tall × 2–3 ft wide Introduction As summer wanes and many garden perennials begin to fade, Prairie Ironweed emerges in glorious purples, casting tall, wispy plumes...