Homes Plus
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1492680
Eco-friendly From Page 1 trillium and Virginia bluebells. In sunnier spots, Hennessy suggested pale purple cone flowers and prairie smoke. The latter plant is "one of the first that will bloom and is a nectar source for bees. You can put it along the edge of the side- walk and it's OK if you pile snow on it," she said, noting the plant works well on smaller lots as well. Native milkweed is also recommended, but wakes up later in the season. "It's very prevalent. It can spread a lot. I let it grow up and when the first round of monarchs come back they can lay eggs on it," said Hennessy, of native milkweed. She said she cuts it down later in the sea- son when it gets ratty looking, leaving the roots. Those looking for shrubs might consider St. John's wort and for a small-scale tree Hennessy recommends musclewood. Anise hyssop is another native plant Hen- nessy likes. "It gets pretty tall but doesn't take up a whole lot of space. It's really good for but- terflies," she said. Ann Wied, a horticulture and community development outreach specialist for the Waukesha County Extension at the Univer- sity of Wisconsin-Madison, recommends focusing on a healthy environment for a yard versus aiming for a perfect landscape. "That means that you need to be willing to tolerate a few more weeds and a variety of insects in your yard," she said, advising homeowners to consider replacing parts of a lawn that are difficult to mow or main- tain with native shrubs and plants. "Look for plants that tolerate dry condi- tions so you can water less," Wied said, adding that homeowners should aim to plant in areas suited to growing conditions, taking into account aspects like soil and sunlight. Hennessy agreed. "The key when you're planting is finding something appropriate for the space," she said, noting that Johnson's Nursery does provide consultations through photos cus- tomers bring in as well as on site and in- person. The nursery also offers a "We Plan, You Plant" program. Wied also advises choosing plants that offer food and habitats for pollinators. "Examples of a few plants include cone- flowers, milkweed and bee balm," she said. For those feeling a bit overwhelmed by the process and the many options, Hen- nessy encouraged seeking out knowledge- able help and taking things incrementally. "Don't try to tackle the entire yard at once," she said, adding a recommendation for transitioning from full lawns with native plants a little bit at a time. "It can be simple, like just installing an island bed in the front yard or the back yard," Hennessy said. HOME FEBRUARY 2023 2 Distributed by: ©2023 by Conley Media Waukesha County Home is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Home Volume 12 ■ Number 1 ■ February 2023 Exploring native plants and more Why are pollinators so important? Selecting plants that provide pollen and nectar as well as nesting sites for pollinators can be helpful in many ways, according to Ann Wied, horticulture and community development outreach specialist at the Waukesha County Extension for the Univer- sity of Wisconsin-Madison. "Worldwide, approximately 1,000 plants for food, beverages, fibers, spices and medicines need to be pollinated," Wied said. A few of these include: blueberries, choco- late, coffee, pumpkins and vanilla. Some Wisconsin crops that depend on pol- linators are: apples, cranberries, cherries, green beans and other fruits and vegetables, according to Wied. Who are the pollinators? Bees are the most well-known pollinators, according to Wied. She said others include: butterflies, moths, ants, flies and birds. What's the name? A look at the scientific names of some native southeast Wisconsin plants, according to Carrie Hennessy, horticulturist and land- scape designer with Johnson's Nursery, Inc. in Menomonee Falls. ■ Jack-in-the-pulpit: Arisaema triphyl- lum ■ Trillium: Trillium grandiflorum ■ Virginia bluebells: Mertensia virginica ■ Prairie smoke: Geum triflorum ■ Native milkweeds: — Red Milkweed: Asclepias incarnata — Butterflyweed: Asclepias tuberosa — Sullivant's Milkweed: Asclepias sulli- vantii — Whorled Milkweed: Asclepias verticil- late — Poke Milkweed: Asclepias exaltata — Common Milkweed: Asclepias syriaca ■ St. John's wort for shrubs: Hyper- icum kalmianum ■ Musclewood tree: Carpinus carolini- ana ■ Anise hyssop: Agastache scrophularifo- lia ■ Pale purple cone flower: Echinacea pallida Photo submitted by Carrie Hennessy A photo of trillium grandiflorum, a native plant to southeast Wisconsin. Seeking plants native to the area eco-system has been a common interest among customers in recent years, according to Carrie Hennessy, horticulturalist and landscape designer at Johnson's Nursery, Inc. Photo submitted by Carrie Hennessy An island bed featuring native plants shortly after installation at a home in Fox Point by Carrie Hennessy, horticulturalist and landscape designer at Johnson's Nursery, Inc.