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Kevin Schoessow, Area Agricultural Development Agent with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, takes you through the Teaching & Display Garden at the Spooner Ag Research Station in July 2021.
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This week I encountered two instances of name confusion. One was Goats beard and the other Loosestrife. I was reminded to pay attention to botanical names because common names can be misleading. That would be the case in both these instances. And the consequences of confusing an invasive for a native plant can be dramatic. Goatsbeard - On the golf course this week near Hayward, Wisconsin I noticed a plant in the rough. I'm very familiar with what grows in the rough because I'm a frequent visitor. I took a few pictures and later researched the plant and identified it as Yellow goat's beard (Tragopogon dubius). This plant was introduced in the 1900's from Eurasia and likes disturbed ground but is not considered aggressive. And it looks nothing like our native Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) that is an attractive perennial plant suitable as a landscape plant. For more on these two plants, go to the University of Wisconsin Horticulture website. Yellow goat's beard (Tragopogon dubius) Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) Left: Yellow goat's beard (photo Sue Reinardy), right: Goatsbeard (photo from UW Extension website) Loosestrife - Whenever I read or hear Loosestrife I think "INVASIVE"! But learned differently when I came across a Facebook post with a picture of a plant that I have in my garden that I was having a hard time identifying. It was identified by reliable sources as Fringed Yellow Loosestrife (Lysmachia ciliata). The landscape plan that I inherited with the house identified this plant as 'Husker Red' which is a Penstemon - not at all the plant I was finding in the garden. There is a host of conflicting information in researching the Fringed Yellow Loosestrife. Some sources indicate that it is not related at all to the invasive Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). The botanical name confirms that. There is an aggressive Garden Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) that is restricted in Wisconsin according to the DNR invasive species website. No such limits on the Fringed Yellow Loosestrife which is a North America native. It is fairly aggressive in my garden but easy to control. (For more information on these plants go to the websites below. Fringed Yellow Loosestrife (Lysmachia ciliata) (wildflower.org) Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) (UW Horticulture) Garden Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) (DNR)
It took a bit of research to confirm the identification of these plants. As you can see they look different and the effect they can have on our landscape is important to understand to avoid invasive plants and support natives.
The annuals and vegetables are showing growth and the Monarch and Pollinator Sanctuary Garden (natives and perennials) is in full bloom. The gallery below shows what is in bloom as of July 1 and there were plenty of buds that will be blooming in the next few days. Please stop by when you are in the area for inspiration. If you like daisies, this variety of perennial Shasta Daisy will wow you. A 2021 All-American Selections winner, the Sweet Daisy Birdy with 5-inch blooms of feathery pure white petals and golden centers, blooms earlier that other varieties and is a pollinator favorite. Use this medium height (18-24 inches) plant in planter containers, or in the garden as tall background or a garden highlight. Sturdy stems and contrasting dark green foliage make for a great cut flower as well!
The Sweet Daisy Birdy is available only as plants as yet. It is low maintenance, zone 3 hearty and is cold and heat tolerant. Plant in full sun, in well drained soil. Water as needed.
Article by Pam Davies MGV Photo Credit: All-America Selections
The American Hosta Growers Associate 2021 Hosta of the Year is "Rainbow's End." "Rainbow's End" is a small plant (11" tall by 21" wide at maturity) that grows in mounds with pale purple flowers on red scapes in late summer. The leaves are variegated thick green with yellow centered that become white in the summer.
Judged by Association growers and gardeners, the criteria for selecting the Hosta of the Year includes suitability to all regions , availability and an affordable retail price of about $15.00. The AHGA is a trade organization for growers that fosters interest in Hosta culture through marketing and education. Membership is restricted to growers and nurseries that specialize in developing, propagating and selling hostas. Growers must be certified and inspected by their Sate Agriculture Department. Gardeners interested in Hostas should consider joining the American Hosta Society. Links for AHS and AHGA are listed below. http://www.americanhostasociety.org/ http://www.hostagrowers.org/Hosta_of_the_Year.html Article by Pam Davies, UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
Yes, a Hardy Hibiscus is capable of surviving temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees. [Not to be confused with a Shrub or Tropical Hibiscus plant (native to Asia), the Hardy Hibiscus are hybrids, primarily traced back to the native North America species Hibiscus moscheutos.
Hardy Hibiscus comes in shades of white, pink, red and yellow, with different eye patterns and streaking through the petals. Its leaf color also varies from green to bronze and near-black. Growing naturally in wetlands and along riverbanks throughout the Midwest and East Coast—even into Texas and Florida, this water-tolerant characteristic makes them perfect for areas of the garden that periodically flood or in rain gardens. The Hardy Hibiscus needs full sun and consistent watering. If in too much shade, its branches stretch and flop, while buds, flower performance and foliage colors decrease. If it loses its lowest leaves or aborts buds, you may need to up the water. Characteristically, the Hardy Hibiscus dies back to the ground each year and breaks dormancy later in the spring—even the end of May, depending on the year. Consider planting it with spring-blooming bulbs which will be out of bloom when the Hibiscus is ready to emerge. When planting a Hibiscus, be sure to give it plenty of space to grow. A mature plant can get 5-6′ wide and grow quickly during the year. If you take a week’s summer vacation, you’re likely to come back to a plant twice the size you left it! Submitted by: Vickie Gee-Treft, UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Credit to https://ngb.org/year-of-the-hardy-hibiscus/
This year Monarda is one of the 2021 National Garden Bureau’s featured plants, and a great choice for your garden too!
A Native Species, Monarda has a long medicinal herbal history that Native tribes taught early settlers to utilize. Bee Balm, Monarda’s common name, I am certain came to be due to its ability soothe bee stings, other medicinal uses included treating chills and fever all information shared with early settlers from Native Americans. You are invited to a Zoom program. When: May 14, 2020 05:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this program: https://uwextension.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMrdO6urTgqGtNnaA1I0y3rpgP6VS5s8xNv After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. With the right soil, light, and nutrients, almost anything can grow in almost any container. Learn how to grow perennials, annuals, and vegetables in containers and which types are best. Containers are a must for small spaces and can also be used when you have less than ideal soil conditions. This program will identify the advantages of various types of containers, the plant varieties that do best, and the maintenance required to get the best results.
The program handouts are now available. Listed below and on our 2020 Events Handouts page.
The vegetable beds have been planted and the display beds are beginning to show evidence of the creativity intended by the gardeners. The vegetables are doing well in colorful grow bags and the straw bale bed. The All-America Selection display beds have been completed by the trainees in the just completed Master Gardener Level 1 training. In a few weeks you will be able to see what is intended with the Recycle, Repurpose, and Re-imagine theme for 2019. The Teaching and Display Garden is open for self-guided tours during day light hours daily from mid-May through mid-September. Meet Me in the Garden series starts on July 16 at 6:00 pm - we hope you plan on attending.
Author and photos by Sue Reinardy, UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteer |
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