I find March to be a very frustrating time! If you are anything like me, as the snow starts to disappear you eagerly poke around your garden looking for those early Crocus, Hepatica, Hellebore, Galanthus, Aconite, and other signs of spring. My unease, however, always begins to grow as I…
The key to success in managing damage caused by wildlife is first and foremost to correctly identify the species doing the damage. Rabbits, for example, have strong front teeth which cause pruning like damage (a clean cut). Usually a sharp 45 degree angle that is at or below one foot…
Many people believe that four season interest means that they’re limited to evergreens but that’s not always the case! There are several plants that offer year round interest, especially in winter, through their unique bark and/or berries. Here are a few of our favorites. Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) is a…
“I drifted into a summer-nap under the hot shade of July, serenaded by a cicadae lullaby, to drowsy-warm dreams of distant thunder.” - Terri Guillemets Come July you may be tempted by that hammock in the shade, swaying gently in the breeze… now is the time you can comfortably…
What better time than spring to talk about the tulip bulb? However, let’s look less at its beauty and more at its influence as an economic influence. The tulip may be one of the world’s most recognizable flowers but it is also at the center of one of the world’s…
If you have a bad case of spring fever and really want to stretch every last penny this month... a visit to the WPT Garden Expo may be the cure! Make plans to join Avant Gardening and Landscaping at the 2016 Wisconsin Public Television Garden Expo February 10th-12th at the Alliant Energy Center…
The first snow of the year can be a thing of beauty. By the 15th snowfall however, we start to get real sick of white everywhere. Enter the Redtwig Dogwood! As the name implies this shrub boasts some very colorful stems that look great against the snow and add a…
Sick of Wisconsin Winters yet? We decided that this week we are feeling the need to dream of summer. Just pretend it's a beautiful, warm July day... you're out on your patio, sipping some lemonade, birds are chirping, flowers are nodding in the warm breeze.... How about we take you…
Our climate can be crazy! From freezing rain to temperatures in the 40's in January... it's difficult to predict what it's going to do next! With the recent freezing rain and the need to spread sand (and salt in most cases) we thought we'd share a list of plants that…
Local trade shows and expos can be awkward and intimidating! Do you get anxious wandering through a huge exposition hall lined with booth after booth of unfamiliar companies... New expo visitors can be hesitant for numerous reasons. Do any of the following situations below apply to you? Just bought a…
