Flower care – American Landscape

10 Native Plants Perfect for Your Southeastern Wisconsin Landscape

May 29, 2024/in Flower care/by Mary Monday

Integrating native plants into your residential landscape offers a myriad of benefits beyond mere aesthetics. Native plants are naturally adapted to the local environment, requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides, which translates to lower maintenance and reduced costs. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and promote water infiltration, contributing to healthier soil and improved drainage.

Native plants also provide crucial habitat and food sources for local wildlife, fostering biodiversity and supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies. By choosing native plants, you not only create a beautiful and sustainable landscape but also play a vital role in preserving the natural heritage of our region.

Let’s explore 10 native beauties that are sure to elevate your outdoor space.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): A classic favorite, this striking perennial boasts vibrant purple blooms that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding life and color to your garden beds.
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum): Delicate pink flowers give way to wispy seed heads resembling plumes of smoke, making this plant a unique and eye-catching addition to any landscape.
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): Also known as bee balm, this aromatic herb produces clusters of lavender-pink flowers that not only smell delightful but also attract a myriad of pollinators, including hummingbirds. Be sure to plant this where it can spread!
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): With its cheerful golden-yellow petals and dark centers, the black-eyed Susan adds a pop of sunshine to gardens and provides food for birds and butterflies. This plant is best for a wild garden as it reproduces by seeding and each year will come up in a new place.
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae): Fall wouldn’t be complete without the splash of purple, pink, or blue provided by the New England aster. These late-blooming beauties are essential for sustaining pollinators as summer transitions to autumn.
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): Elegant red and yellow flowers with distinctive spurred petals grace this native perennial, attracting hummingbirds and adding a touch of grace to shady spots. Like other natives, this plant likes to grow from seed and will move around your garden, popping up in the most unusual places. It’s a wonderful surprise each spring to see where you’ll find them.
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): As its name suggests, boneset was historically used for medicinal purposes, but today it’s valued for its clusters of white flowers that brighten up moist areas in your landscape. This is absolutely adored by butterflies. It does get quite tall but there are shorter cultivars on the market that might be better suited to your space.
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii): Looking to add some height and texture to your garden? Look no further than big bluestem. This tall, native grass sports attractive blue-green foliage that turns a stunning bronze in the fall.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica): Bring a touch of woodland magic to your garden with the delicate pink buds that unfurl into clusters of sky-blue flowers in the spring, creating a captivating carpet of color. These do go dormant in the summer so interplant them with another native to fill the space once summer rolls around.
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense): Perfect for shaded areas, wild ginger’s heart-shaped leaves and unusual maroon flowers add a subtle elegance to woodland gardens, all while providing habitat for native wildlife.

By incorporating these native plants into your landscape, not only will you enhance the beauty of your outdoor space, but you’ll also support the local ecosystem and reduce the need for excessive maintenance and watering.

So, why not go native and create a sustainable haven right in your own backyard? Our landscape designers are experts at creating beautiful and sustainable landscapes and can help you incorporate native plants into your landscape. Give us a call at (262)252-4260 or complete a contact form to get started.

Perennials to Divide in Spring

May 2, 2024/in Flower care/by Mary Monday

May is an opportune time for dividing popular perennials, ensuring vibrant garden beds throughout the season. Among the commonly divided perennials are Hostas, Daylilies, Siberian Iris, Shasta Daisies, Bee Balm, and ornamental grasses. Dividing these plants not only promotes healthier growth but also allows for expanding garden beds or sharing plants with friends and neighbors.

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To divide perennials effectively, begin by preparing the soil in the new planting area, ensuring it is well-drained and amended with organic matter. Then, carefully dig around the perimeter of the perennial clump, loosening the soil and exposing the roots. Use a sharp spade or garden fork to gently separate the clump into smaller sections, ensuring each division has a healthy root system and several shoots or buds.

Once divided, replant the sections at the same depth as they were previously growing, ensuring they are adequately spaced apart to allow for future growth. Water the newly transplanted divisions thoroughly and continue to provide regular moisture until they become established.

Remember to consider weather and soil temperatures when undertaking any gardening tasks in May. Monitoring soil temperatures before digging ensures optimal conditions for successful division and transplanting.

We are happy to help prepare your garden beds for the growing season. Get in touch today to get started.

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How to Divide and Transplant Perennials in Southeast Wisconsin

September 13, 2023/in Flower care/by American Landscape

In southeast Wisconsin, there are many perennial plants that can (and should!) be divided and transplanted in the fall. Dividing perennials not only helps rejuvenate old plants and control their size but also provides new plants for other areas of your garden. Fall division allows these plants to establish their root systems during the cooler months, which can lead to stronger, healthier plants in the spring.

Here are some perennials that are typically good candidates for fall division in southeast Wisconsin:

Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Daylilies can be divided every 3-4 years if they become too crowded or if flowering decreases.
Hostas: These shade-loving plants can become very large and might benefit from division every few years.
Peonies (Paeonia): While they don’t require frequent division, older clumps can be rejuvenated by dividing them in the fall.
Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica): These can be divided when flowering decreases or they become overcrowded.
Bee Balm (Monarda): Divide when centers of the clumps die out or plants become less vigorous.
Goldenrod (Solidago): These can be divided to maintain their vigor.
Astilbe: When flowering decreases, it’s a good indication they need dividing.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): Divide if plants become too crowded or if the center of the clump dies.
Coneflower (Echinacea): Like Black-eyed Susans, divide when overcrowded or if the center of the clump dies.
Yarrow (Achillea): Divide every 3-4 years to rejuvenate plants.
Phlox: Dividing can help reduce susceptibility to powdery mildew and other issues.
Coreopsis: Divide every 2-3 years for best performance.

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Steps to Successfully Divide and Transplant Perennials

Plan to divide perennials a few weeks before the first hard frost so that the plants have time to establish roots before winter.
Water the plants a day or so before you plan to divide them; this will make the division process easier, ensure the plants are well-hydrated, and reduce stress on the plants.
Using a sharp spade, dig around the perimeter of the plant, going deep enough to encompass the majority of its roots. Gently lift the clump from the ground.
Separate the plant into smaller sections either by gently pulling apart with your hands or using a knife for tougher roots. Ensure each division has 2-3 growth buds and a good amount of roots.
Dig holes for the new divisions, ensuring they’re at the same depth as they were previously planted. Space them appropriately for their mature size. Fill in with soil and water well.
After dividing, replant the perennials immediately. Plant them at the same depth they were previously growing
Mulch around the newly planted divisions to retain moisture and provide insulation for the upcoming winter. Water regularly until the ground freezes.

Remember, while many perennials can be divided in the fall, some prefer spring division. Always research specific plants before dividing to ensure you’re choosing the optimal time for the process.

We have experts ready to help ensure your garden beds and entire landscape thrive in every season. Get in touch today!

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How to Cut Back Spring Bulbs and Foliage

May 5, 2023/in Flower care/by Mary Monday

As your spring flowers begin to die off and foliage begins to droop and yellow, it’s time to take action! Follow our advice to trim these plants properly so your bulbs will produce gorgeous flowers for you again in the fall.

Hyacinth

When flowers are spent, holding the flower stem firm, cut the stalk as close to the base as you can and remove.

Tulip

When flowers are spent, holding the flower stem firm, cut the stem as close to the second leaf as you can.

For both tulips and hyacinth, be sure to leave the remaining foliage up until it yellows. That is how the bulb makes nutrients for next year’s flowers. After foliage yellows, you can pull, rake, or cut it off and dispose.

Daffodils

Daffodils are a little different than tulips and hyacinth. There are many late blooming varieties, they often grow in large clumps, and sometimes the foliage will stay green well into June. As the flowers die and the foliage starts to flop or interfere with spring planting, you can cut the foliage back to make it more attractive, while still leaving enough for the plant to store nutrients in its bulbs to flower next year.

Gather the leaves in your hands and cut straight across leaving 6”-8” of the foliage still standing. Your clumps will look nice and tidy and you can plant around them without interference.

Just like with your tulips and hyacinths, wait until leaves have yellowed before fully removing them.

How to care for spring bulbs and foliage

Pro Tip! Consider interplanting your bulbs with perennials. As the bulbs fade, the perennials grow and hide the dying foliage, leaving you with less work!

Dividing & Transplanting

If you want to relocate your spring bulbs or if you notice they are not blooming well, you can divide and transplant them. It is best to wait until the foliage starts to die back so that the bulbs have time to store nutrients from the plant.

When you transplant your spring bulbs, add a little bone meal or bulb fertilizer to give them a boost as they root in and prepare for next year. Be sure to give them a good watering and then wait for some gorgeous flowers in fall!

Note: Tulips do not typically have the longevity in Wisconsin that daffodils do, so over time it might just be best to replant with new ones.

It’s always a great idea to get expert help with your landscaping. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment for new design/construction or to inquire about our maintenance programs.

How Do I Prune Hydrangeas?

November 28, 2022/in Flower care/by Mary Monday

“How do I prune hydrangeas” sounds like a simple question, right? But, to do it correctly, this question needs to be tackled in three parts. We first have to answer:

What kind of hydrangea do you have?

When is the right time to prune the type of hydrangea you have?

What is the best way to prune your hydrangea?

Identifying Hydrangeas

There are SIX different species of hydrangea commonly found in gardens and to know when and how to prune them correctly, you’ll need to determine which type you have. The species will let us know if it blooms on new or old wood, which is critical information to have before getting your pruning shears out. Lop off the buds and you will risk having a subpar showing of flowers in spring! You can identify your hydrangea species through the flowering and leaf pattern.

When to Prune Hydrangeas

Once you have successfully identified the type of hydrangea you have, you need to know whether it blooms on new or old wood. This information will guide the timing of your pruning.

New growth: Shrubs that bloom on new growth should be pruned in late fall once the plants have gone dormant or in early spring before new growth has started. This will maximize the amount of new growth and the number of flowers your shrub produces.

Hydrangeas that bloom on new wood:

Smooth hydrangeas
Panicle hydrangeas

Old growth: Shrubs that bloom on old growth, should be pruned immediately after their flowers have faded. This gives the plant plenty of time to develop wood that will be “old” by the time the next season’s flower buds emerge.

PRO TIP: Most experts agree that hydrangeas that bloom on old wood do not need aggressive pruning. Rather, you should aim to prune only when needing to shape or maintain their size.

Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood:

Oakleaf hydrangeas
Bigleaf hydrangeas
Mountain hydrangeas

How to Prune Hydrangeas

In general, flowering woody shrubs that bloom on new wood thrive on somewhat aggressive pruning, while those that bloom on old wood require more careful restrained pruning. Hydrangeas are no exception.

The two species that bloom on new wood—panicle and smooth hydrangeas—do well with an aggressive annual pruning that removes as much as one-third of the shrub. So, for example, if your hydrangea is six feet tall, you can safely prune as much as two feet off the top and sides. Be wary of pruning more than 30% of the shrub to avoid removing too much of its framework needed to keep it upright. For best results, prune back stems to just above (1/4”) a fat bud or a healthy set of leaves.

We have experts on our team who know exactly when and how to prune your shrubs to keep them healthy and producing beautiful foliage and flowers. Call (262) 252-4260 or complete a contact form here.
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Top Tips for Planting Fall Bulbs

September 18, 2022/in Flower care/by American Landscape

Fall-planted flower bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, flower in spring and are a great way to add color to your garden. With these expert tips, planting fall bulbs becomes an easy and enjoyable task for gardeners of every skill level.

Plant Your Bulbs as Soon as the Ground Is Cool

Wisconsin’s cold winters are perfect for these bulbs since it allows them to winter over, which is an essential process for them to grow in the spring. The bulbs should be planted in the fall when the nighttime temperatures are around 40-50° F. It’s important to plant them at least six weeks before the ground freezes for sufficient rooting time. For those of us in Wisconsin, the optimal planting time is normally between mid-September through mid-November.

Choose the Optimal Spot to Plant Your Fall Bulbs

You can plant bulbs just about anywhere in your garden, which allows for a lot of freedom when choosing your garden design. The most important consideration is to choose an area where the soil can drain well and avoid spots where water collects. Bulbs like the sun and each flower can grow to a different height, so take that into consideration as well when choosing your planting spots.

Prepare Your Soil, Then Plant!

Your soil should be loose and workable to a depth of around 8”. If your planting area isn’t an established garden bed, it can be beneficial to add organic matter or compost to add nutrients. Remove any weeds or other debris as well. When you plant your bulbs, unless the label says differently, plant the bigger bulbs 8” deep and the smaller bulbs at 5”. Place the bulb in the hole with the roots facing down. Once planted, cover the hole with soil but don’t pack it. Water it once, and then you’re done!

We would be happy to work with you to design a garden bed full of seasonal color. Contact us today to connect with one of our skilled landscape experts! https://amerlandscape.com/contact/ or (262) 252-4260