Midsummer’s Day 2018

​According to the British newspaper, The Sun, “Nowadays the term midsummer generally refers to both Christian, Pagan and other celebrations taking place on dates close to the solstice between June 19-24.”  The day(s) is not much celebrated here.  But it is a good time to check our gardens and see what might be happening.  

Now blooming and attracting pollinators in the Monarch Sanctuary of the Spooner Agriculture Station Teaching and Display Garden are these perennials. 

• Gaillardia (Blanket Flower):  plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae, native to North and South America; Gaillardia – want to know more go to this article on the Wisconsin Master Gardener website: https://wimastergardener.org/article/blanket-flower-gaillardia-spp/
  
  
• Asclepias (Milkweed):  Both the Common Milkweed and Butterfly Weed are in bloom and the first Monarch caterpillar was spotted in the Monarch Sanctuary on June 20.  The Master Gardener website has an excellent article on Butterfly Weed if you are interested in growing this in your own garden:  https://wimastergardener.org/article/butterflyweed-asclepias-tuberosa/
  
  
• Coreopsis (Tickseed):  Another native, Coreopsis is a short-lived perennial.  The Piedmont, Virginia Master Gardeners have a good write-up on this plant:  http://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/coreopsis-a-top-10-favorite/
  
  
• Achillea millefolim (Common Yarrow):   Some wildflower books list this plant as a Wisconsin native, others say it was introduced in the 17th century to North America from Asia.  In either case it is a weedy perennial that can take over a garden.  The University of Illinois Extension provides some cultivars that you might consider for your garden:  http://extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/plantdetail.cfm?PlantID=698&PlantTypeID=2
  
  
• Penstemon digitalis (Beard-Tongue):   The Wisconsin Herbarium lists this plant as possibly native.  It is an erect perennial that grows in full to part sun in prairies and fields.  What a cultivar suitable for the garden?  See this article on the Wisconsin Master Gardener website:  https://wimastergardener.org/article/husker-red-foxglove-beardtongue-penstemon-digitalis-husker-red/
  
  
• Heliopsis helianthoides (Oxeye or False Sunflower) Another native with some nice cultivars being introduced for the garden.  See this article by Dr. David Zlesak, UW-River Falls and Brent Hanson on the new introduction: ‘Tuscan Sun’:  http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/43/3/927.full

 

The Teaching and Display Garden can be found on Orchard Lane and is located 1.5 miles east of Spooner on State Highway 70 or 1/2 mile west of Highways 70/53 interchange.  It is open to the public daily in the growing season during daylight hours.