January 1, 2017 Newsletter

Ask any of your gardening questions by e-mailing them to us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. We’ve also posted a link to this e-mail address on our home page for your convenience. Your question might then appear in the “You Asked” feature of our monthly newsletter. If your question is the one selected for our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive a small gift from us at Klein’s. The Mad Gardener hopes to hear from you soon!

Sorry, we can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.

Please note that our Mad Gardener is not only an expert gardener, but can answer all of your indoor plant questions as well.

Monday thru Friday : 8:00-6:00

Saturday: 9:00-5:00

Sunday: 10:00-4:00

January 1–New Year’s Day. HAPPY 2017!

January 12–Full Moon

January 14 & 15—The Wedding Planner and Guide Bridal Show at the Alliant Energy Center. From start to finish, everything needed for that special day is at the show with over 200 vendors offering products and services catering to your needs. Make sure to get a seat for the daily fashion show at noon and 3 pm. Open on Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm, tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Visit www.wedplan.com for tickets and more information.

If a wedding is on your horizon, set up your free wedding consultation as early as possible. Our schedule fills up fairly quickly. Klein’s talented team of designers can make your wedding day a perfect one. Call Sue (sue@kleinsfloral.com) or Darcy at 608/244-5661.

Mid January–Seeds begin arriving for retail sale. Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about spring planting. If starting your own seeds at home, some such as lisianthus, geraniums, pentas and bananas should be started now so they are ready for spring planting. Klein’s carries an extensive seed selection from Seed Savers, Botanical Interests, Livingston Seeds and Olds Seeds.

January 16–Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 20—Inauguration Day

January 28—Chinese New Year

Throughout January–Ever thought about working at a greenhouse? Now is the time to stop in and ask if we’ll be hiring for spring and pick up an application. We always need temporary, part-time counter help in the spring and greenhouse production swings into gear by mid-February. If you’re interested, ask for Sue or Kathryn for the retail area or Jamie or Rick for the greenhouses. Benefits include a generous discount on all those plants you buy at Klein’s anyway. Join our team and experience first hand how we make the magic happen.

February 10-12—Wisconsin Public Television’s Garden Expo at the Alliant Energy Center. Please join us. Tickets are now available at Klein’s for a lesser price than at the door. Details available at www.wigardenexpo.com.

February 14–Valentine’s Day. Order early for guaranteed delivery. We deliver throughout Madison and most of Dane County.

If ever you’ve received a floral arrangement from Klein’s containing a large, perfectly shaped, white and slightly fragrant calla lily, it’s quite likely one of Klein’s very own famous Zantedeschia aetheopica. Beginning in late December and early January, the Klein’s calla lilies begin putting on a show that will last for months to come, producing hundreds of long-stemmed tropical and provocative blooms.

The Klein’s callas have a long history. In fact, the tuberous rhizomes are generations old, stemming back from a time when the Klein greenhouses themselves supplied many of our flower shop’s fresh cut flowers. The actual variety has long been forgotten, but thankfully the means to get them to rebloom reliably from year to year has not. During the productive winter months, you’ll find the huge plants in the rear of our Number 2 Showroom where temperatures are kept at a cool 50 degrees. Though callas generally require liberal watering, we keep them rather dry in these cool conditions in order to control stem and root rot. In addition, the cooler temperatures keep the vigorous foliage more controlled and the flower stalks shorter. The added stress, as with most plants, also stimulates better blooming.

Once temperatures inside the showroom warm up in late spring, the flowering slows and the foliage becomes long and spindly. At that time we also need more space in the retail area for our spring annuals. It’s in mid-April that the large tubs of callas are moved to our back greenhouses to spend the summer. During May and June we cut back drastically on the watering in order to send them into complete dormancy. During the summer months they are left bone dry. By this time the foliage will have withered away and been removed.

Then in late August the cycle begins anew. We split and transplant the rhizomes into new tubs and top dress them with a layer of composted manure or rich soil. We then move them back into their winter home at the back of Number 2 Showroom and start watering them as normal. Within weeks, dense, bright green foliage emerges from the seemingly lifeless pots and a few months later the plants send up their hundreds of gorgeous blooms. Though expensive, each bloom grown at Klein’s is still less expensive and of far superior quality than those supplied by our wholesalers. In fact, we sometimes supply some of our floral wholesalers with our overstock each season, perhaps appearing in one of our competitor’s bouquets.

And by the way, though frequently asked, the plants are not for sale.

Hi Jhon,

Those are spider mites and are a very common houseplant pest. They enjoy the warm and dry (lack of humidity) conditions in our homes; especially during the winter months.

The quick (and non-chemical) fix is to wrap the pot tightly in a plastic bag (as not to get the soil soggy) and give the plant a good washing in your shower; making sure to wash the undersides of the leaves where the mites hang out. Once the shower is finished, wipe the back sides of the leaves with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol. It will take time, but is well worth it. Doing so will kill any remaining mites and wipe away any residue.

Preventatively, you can then use a systemic pesticide to prevent future infestations, use insecticidal soap or a miticide remedially, or if you like, give your plant the periodic shower through the winter months. Once a month should be good enough. If you place your plant outdoors during the summer months, natural predators and weather will keep the mites at bay while outside. However, they will usually reappear once the plant is brought back indoors and will likely need to be addressed each winter.

A reminder that if your citrus leaves are yellowing, this could indicate an iron deficiency. This is another common problem with potted citrus. Klein’s sells a special citrus food that, when used properly and according to instructions, will rectify the problem.

For extensive information about spider mites, visit our archived August 2011 newsletter @ kleinsfloral.com/wp-content/uploads/newsletter_archives/2011-08.pdf

Thanks for your question,

Klein’s Mad Gardener

By Julie Knapp for the Mother Nature Network @ www.mnn.com

In the late ’80s, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America studied houseplants as a way to purify the air in space facilities. They found several plants that filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Lucky for us, the plants can also help clean indoor air on Earth, which is typically far more polluted than outdoor air. Other studies have since been published in the Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science, further proving the science. Top choices include:

This easy-to-grow, sun-loving succulent helps clear formaldehyde and benzene, which can be a byproduct of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice for a sunny kitchen window. Beyond its air-clearing abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts and burns.

People have been using aloe vera for more than 6,000 years when it was known as “the plant of immortality” in early Egypt, according to the National Institutes of Health. It was used for skin conditions and to heal wounds, as well as used as a laxative. Today, although the science is lacking, aloe vera is typically used topically for sunburns, burns, abrasions and other skin conditions.

Even if you tend to neglect houseplants, you’ll have a hard time killing this resilient plant. With lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers, the spider plant battles benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, a solvent used in the leather, rubber and printing industries. As an added bonus, this plant is also considered a safe houseplant if you have pets in the house.

Also known as airplane plants, spider plants are also easy to regrow. Just cut off one of the “spiders” and place it in a pot. Spider plants are incredibly easy to grow, but thrive in cool-to-average home temperatures and prefer dry soil. Bright indirect sunlight keeps them growing best.

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom — it’ll thrive with low light and steamy humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants.

You may also want to put a couple of these sharp-leafed plants in your bedroom. Interestingly, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night (the opposite of the process most plants follow). Sharing your room with these plants could give you a slight oxygen boost while you sleep.

Another powerful plant for tackling formaldehyde, this fast-growing vine will create a cascade of green from a hanging basket. Consider it for your garage because car exhaust is filled with formaldehyde. (Bonus: Golden pothos, also know as devil’s ivy, stays green even when kept in the dark.)

Golden pothos plants need bright, indirect light. Don’t overwater or you’ll end up with a case of root rot, reports Wisconsin Horticulture.

Heads up: Golden pothos is a poisonous plant and should be kept away from small children and pets.

The red edges of this easy dracaena bring a pop of color, and the shrub can grow to reach your ceiling. This plant is best for removing xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde, which can be introduced to indoor air through lacquers, varnishes and gasoline.

There are many dracaena plants. This distinctive version is distinguished by the purple-red edges on its ribbon-like green leaves. Although it grows slowly, it can eventually get as high as 15 feet tall, so maybe put it in a room with high ceilings and moderate sunlight.

A ficus in your living room can help filter out pollutants that typically accompany carpeting and furniture such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Caring for a ficus can be tricky, but once you get the watering and light conditions right, they will last a long time.

The New York Botanical Garden says the weeping fig likes consistency and looks its best when grown in bright, indirect light. “It is challenged by dramatic temperature and light-level fluctuations.”

A study found that English ivy reduces airborne fecal-matter particles. It has also been shown to filter out formaldehyde found in some household cleaning products.

Although popular as a potted houseplant, the National Park Service doesn’t seem to be such a fan. The plant is called “an aggressive invader that threatens all vegetation levels of forested and open areas.” Fortunately, ivy shouldn’t do much damage in a pot in your home. It grows best with moist soil and four or more hours of direct sunlight each day.

This easy-to-care-for plant can help filter out a variety of air pollutants and begins to remove more toxins as time and exposure continues. Even with low light, it will produce blooms and red berries.

Southern Living actually calls the Chinese evergreen “the easiest houseplant” because these plants thrive in low light and will grow in places where other plants won’t grow. Because they are tropicals, they like humid air. If your air is too try, tips might turn brown, so you might want to mist the leaves occasionally.

This climbing vine plant isn’t a good option if you have kids or pets — it’s toxic when eaten, but it’s a workhorse for removing all kinds of VOCs. Philodendrons are particularly good at battling formaldehyde from sources like particleboard.

Heart leaf philodendron are very low-maintenance plants. They thrive with indirect light and very little maintenance. The trailing vines can just fall from the container or can be trained to climb up a screen, trellis or pole.

Shade and weekly watering are all the peace lily needs to survive and produce blooms. It topped NASA’s list for removing all three of most common VOCs — formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. It can also combat toluene and xylene.

Peace lilies are renowned for their easy care. The peace lily is hardy, forgiving, and will even let you know when it is thirsty — look for the telltale droop.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT—Each month we spotlight some product that we already carry or one that we’ve taken note of and plan to carry in the near future. Likewise, if you would like to see Klein’s to carry a product that we don’t currently, please let us know. Our goal is to be responsive to the marketplace and to our loyal clientele. If a product fits into our profile, we will make every effort to get it into our store. In addition, we may be able to special order an item for you, whether plant or hard good, given enough time.

For the third season, Klein’s will be carrying the increasingly popular BrazelBerries® line of fruiting plants; all of which have been specifically bred to not only perform well in the landscape, but perform equally well in containers.

The BrazelBerries® brand consists of revolutionary varieties that are a cinch to grow and will dazzle the eyes as well as the taste buds.

These plants are like nothing seen before. With exquisite ornamental qualities and amazing fruit, these are berry plants that belong front and center in decorative patio containers and in the landscape.

BrazelBerries® are completely changing the way we think about berry plants. They are breathtakingly beautiful and produce amazing fruit we can eat.

Today, personal health, sustainability, family fun, and bringing natural beauty into our homes are cornerstones of holistic living, and the plants we buy should be no exception. No longer confined to the edible garden, BrazelBerries® are designed for your landscape, patio, and intimate outdoor spaces.

It’s time to think differently. Here are some great ways to start using the different plants in the BrazelBerries® collection:

-With their compact size, BrazelBerries® fresh berries are perfect for decorative containers – bringing color, beauty, fruit and fun to your outdoor living spaces.

-Place BrazelBerries® into patio pots to create an intimate space for any event – from informal snacking with kids to offering living appetizers at a summer garden party

-Utilize color. These plants offer a rainbow of color, from red to peach to purple to emerald green, providing a perfect palate to mix with your flowering perennials, shrubs, and annuals.

-Layer the varieties in with your ornamental shrubs to create the ideal edible landscape, whether for snacking or for wildlife attraction.

-Plant the compact BrazelBerries® varieties along a pathway or in groupings to augment the ornamental impact. Our favorite is in 3’s and 5’s.

-Arrange a mix of BrazelBerries® plants near children’s play areas. Kids are the fastest-growing demographic of berry consumers, so place a cross section of BrazelBerries® where they can easily access them and encourage healthy eating.

-Bring the color and beauty of BrazelBerries® inside! We love clipping sprigs from our BrazelBerries® varieties and putting them in floral arrangements, especially if they have colored foliage or clusters of berries.

BrazelBerries® plants are easy to grow and only require minimal care. To maximize fruit production, a simple springtime fertilizing and a once-a-year winter pruning are all you need. These plants are anything but fussy!

The uses for the BrazelBerries® are endless and the rewards are plentiful. These are spectacular plants that will provide you year-round beauty and bumper crops of amazing summer fruit.

All of the varieties in the BrazelBerries® collection are self-pollinating, that is, they do not require another variety to be planted nearby in order to produce berries.

You don’t have to do anything to these plants in the winter unless you have harsh winter weather. If you do, insulating the plant or moving the pot to an unheated garage is a good idea. You’ll want to keep the plants dirt moist but not soaked. All plants are at least Zone 5 or less in hardiness (meaning all are hardy in Madison). However, in containers, hardiness zones increase by two. Added protection becomes necessary.

While watering my cuttings and geraniums in the basement today, I noticed that the fungus gnat population seems to be excessively high and on the increase. In most years the population usually drops by this time as the basement cools down into the 50’s. But because of the warm November we experienced, the basement is cooling later than normal, allowing the gnat population to hang on and explode.

To remedy the problem, I generally refer back to an issue of Fine Gardening magazine from 2010. For larger plants, the article recommends removing the top layer of potting soil where the gnat larvae live and replacing it with sand, discarding the egg and larvae infested soil immediately. Sand is free of the organic matter on which the fungus gnat larvae feed and also dries out quickly–”an unappealing medium for fungus gnat eggs”. The next step is to trap the adults with a small saucer of sweet liquid that smells of decay. The article claims that the best bait is a $2 bottle of alcohol-free wine from Trader Joe’s–Ariel Blanc is the one pictured in the article. Place the saucers near infested plants. By even a day later, the surface of the liquid should be coated with the bodies of the drowned adults. Discard and refill as needed until no more adult flies appear in the liquid. Eventually the gnat infestation should stop when all of the adults have been eliminated, all eggs have hatched and all larvae have matured. Often wrongly called ‘fruit flies’, fungus gnats are generally harmless, but annoying.

Given all of the snow these past few weeks, activity at my bird feeders is at a frenzy to say the least. Birds from many species battle for their position on the feeder perches. Few birds are more aggressive and noisy than the starlings that seem to visit in huge flocks to quickly empty some of the feeders before moving on. Their favorite food at my feeders seems to be the shelled peanuts I have out to attract woodpeckers, nuthatches and blue jays.

Often regarded as a pest, the starling (Sturnus vulgaris) wins grudging admiration for its adaptability, toughness, and seeming intelligence. Brought to North America in 1890 (and arriving in Madison in 1928), it has spread to occupy most of the continent, and is now abundant in many areas. Sociable at most seasons, Starlings may gather in immense flocks in fall and winter. When the flocks break up for the breeding season, males reveal a skill for mimicry, interrupting their wheezing and sputtering songs with perfect imitations of other birds.

Adult starlings are about the size of a chunky robin. They have glossy black plumage with an iridescent green/purple sheen, a short, squared tail (vs. the long tail of a grackle) and a triangular shape in flight, black eyes (Common Blackbirds have a yellow eye ring), and a long pointy, bill (unlike North American blackbirds) that is yellow during breeding season (January to June) and dark at other times. Legs are pinkish-red. It is hard to tell sexes apart. They waddle (vs. hop). Their flight is direct and fast, unlike the rising and falling flight of many blackbirds.

Starlings are bold and aggressive scavengers of almost anything, including fruit (especially strawberries, blueberries, grapes, tomatoes, peaches, apples, and cherries), grains (e.g., livestock feed), certain seeds, and insects, worms, grubs, millipedes and spiders, and occasionally lizards, frogs and snails. Unlike house sparrows, 44-97% of their diet is animal matter, depending on the time of year. They are usually seen foraging on open mowed lawns, pastures etc. Starlings seem to have a decent sense of smell – at least they are attracted to peanut butter used in suet.

Starlings are gregarious and will breed in close proximity to other pairs. They are usually monogamous. Fights over breeding sites can result in death. The birds grip each other with their feet while pecking. Nest site fidelity is fairly high, with about one third of returning females coming back to nest in the same box in subsequent years.

Starlings have undoubtedly had a negative impact on some native hole-nesting birds, such as bluebirds and red-headed woodpeckers, competing with them for nesting sites.

The male establishes a territory and chooses the nest site, singing to attract a mate. When a female arrives, the male perches next to nest site and sings, often waving his wings. The male sometimes has more than one mate. The nest site is in any kind of cavity; usually in natural hollow or woodpecker hole in tree, in birdhouse, or sometimes in holes or crevices in buildings or other odd spots.

—Both males and females can mimic human speech. (Some people keep starlings as pets). Some starlings also imitate the song of many other birds like the Eastern Wood-Pewee, Meadowlark, Northern Bobwhite and House Sparrow, along with Blue Jays, Red-Tailed Hawks and Cedar Waxwings. Vocalizations inside the nestbox during nest building can be lengthy and quite varied.

—An estimated 1/3 to 1/2 of returning females nest in the same box or area in consecutive years. That is why it’s important not to let them nest in the first place.

—A starling couple can build a nest in 1-3 days. Both sexes incubate.

—A migrating flock can number 100,000 birds. They roost communally in flocks that may contain as many as a million birds.

—Each year, starlings cause an estimated $800 million in damages to agricultural crops.

—About 15-33% of first broods are parasitized (via egg dumping) by other starlings.

—Starlings have an unusual bill that springs open to grip prey or pry plants apart.

—Starlings only molt once a year (after breeding) but the spots that show up in the winter wear off by the spring, making them look glossy black.

—In starlings, the length of the intestinal tract actually varies depending on the season. It is shorter in the summertime (when birds are mainly eating protein-rich) insect foods and larger in wintertime when they are mainly eating seeds.

Sources: www.sialis.org and www.audubon.org

Living in a small house and with limited space makes it difficult for me to find the right space for hanging plants. Over time, most hanging plants simply get too large and just make too much of a mess. A simple and very attractive alternative is the rooting glass or rooting vase. Any container that can hold water and a few plant cuttings could, I suppose, be called a ‘rooting glass’. What sets a true rooting glass apart from a Dixie cup sitting on a windowsill is the combination of art and functionality.

‘Store-bought‘ rooting glasses are usually colorful glass containers or vases that are either hung or set near a window. They not only root out healthy plant cuttings, but are very eye-catching as the sunlight comes through the colored glass. Rooting glasses are very old-fashioned and take up a minimal amount of space. They are a great aid to teach kids about plant growth and propagation. And because they are usually inexpensive and unique, they make great gifts for plant lovers.

To use a rooting glass, one simply takes a plant cutting (or a few for a fuller display) and places it in the water filled glass and then positions the glass in the home for optimum light and beauty. Not all plants are good candidates for making cuttings. Best choices include: ivy, pothos, begonias, coleus, viny philodendrons, African violets and some herbs, including mint. Within weeks, the glass will be filled with the cutting’s new roots. The only maintenance required is to keep the glass filled with water. After a while the rooted plants can either be potted up into a container or discarded to start over. We recommend using only pure water and no fertilizer in a rooting glass. Fertilizing would promote algae growth.

Sources for plant rooting glasses include: www.vermontnaturecreations.com/, www.plantrooters.com/ and www.plowhearth.com/.

KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!

An herb-based sauce originating in Italy that is typically made with basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan or romano cheese. Many variations of this sauce exist, which may be different simply by the type of cheese, nuts or herbs, or other ingredients that are used to make the sauce. As an example, a red colored version of pesto, known as “pesto rosso” in Italian, is made with sun-dried tomatoes as one of the key ingredients, in addition to the basil, parsley, garlic, cheese and olive oil. Pesto is traditionally used as a pasta sauce but may be used as a seasoning for other foods as well as an ingredient or topping for appetizers.

Fresh pesto can be kept refrigerated for 2 to 3 days or frozen to be kept for longer periods of time. (www.recipetips.com)

The following are a selection of truly unique and super-flavorful pesto recipes shared by the Klein’s staff.

ARUGULA PESTO—This is a WOW recipe from the June 2006 issue of Cooking Light magazine. It makes enough pesto for 1 lb. of pasta.

5 cups arugula

1/2 cup grated parmesan

1/4 cup + 2 TBS. toasted pine nuts

1 TBS. lemon juice

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 clove minced garlic

1/3 cup water

2 TBS. extra virgin olive oil

2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

In a food processor, process the arugula, parmesan, 1/4 cup pine nuts, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic until finely minced. With the processor running, slowly pour in the water and oil until well blended. Stir into 1 lb. of warm, cooked pasta. Serve, topped with the tomatoes and more toasted pine nuts. Serves 8.

CILANTRO PEANUT PESTO—This delicious recipe makes enough for 1 lb. thin, spaghetti or linguine-type pasta. It first appeared in Everyday Food in June, 2012.

2 bunches fresh cilantro (set 1/2 cup aside for serving)

2 cloves smashed garlic

2 TBS. fresh ginger

4 TBS. vegetable oil

2 TBS. sesame oil

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 tsp. lime zest

4 TBS. lime juice

2 tsp. brown sugar

2/3 cup roasted peanuts, divided

4-5 TBS. soy sauce

16 oz. cooked pasta

In a food processor, combine the cilantro, garlic, ginger, oils, pepper flakes, zest, juice sugar and 1/2 cup peanuts. Pulse into a coarse paste. Add the soy sauce and pulse to combine. Toss with the hot, cooked pasta. Roughly chop the remaining peanuts and toss with the pasta along with the reserved chopped cilantro. Serves 8.

PARSLEY AND PEA PESTO–An easy and great way to use up a lot of peas!!! Another recipe from Everyday Food. This one appeared in March 2010.

3 cups fresh or frozen peas

1 1/2 cups packed, lightly chopped parsley

3/4 cups chopped walnuts, toasted

1 cup parmesan

5 cloves garlic, smashed

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 lb. pasta

Lightly cook 1 1/2 cups of the peas, drain and set aside. In a food processor, combine the cooked peas, parley, walnuts, parmesan, garlic and 2 TBS. water. Pulse until the mixture is pasty. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until blended. Season if desired and blend. Cook the pasta per instructions, adding the uncooked peas during the last 30 seconds of cooking. Reserve 2 cups of the cooking water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add and stir in pesto to taste (reserving any leftover for other purposes). Add the pasta water as needed to create a sauce. Serve sprinkled with parmesan. Serves 8.

GARLIC MUSTARD PESTO—The invasive garlic mustard makes a fantastic and super-flavorful pesto!! After all, it was brought to America as a culinary garden plant.

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove

2 TBS. pine nuts or walnut pieces

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or 1/3 cup nutritional yeast for vegan pesto

4 cups of garlic mustard leaves (or 2 cups garlic mustard with 2 cups basil leaves)

Place all of the ingredients except the garlic mustard in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, then add the garlic mustard and/or basil a handful at a

time, blending until all of the greens are incorporated and the pesto is smooth. Toss with hot, cooked pasta.

VEGAN PESTO—The best of the vegan pestos says one of Klein’s staff members. He says that the flavors and texture, more closely than other recipes, replicate those of traditional basil pestos that use parmesan cheese. The following amount is perfect for 16 oz. cooked pasta. Source: Allrecipes.com

a scant 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts

1/3 cup olive oil

3 cloves garlic

a scant 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (a delicious, flaky yeast product found in the health food section at most large grocery stores. FYI…the toasted flavor is delicious sprinkled on popcorn and can be used as a parmesan substitute in many recipes)

2 cups packed basil

salt and pepper to taste

Toast the pine nuts if desired until lightly browned. In a food processor, combine the nuts, oil,garlic, yeast and basil. Start out by pulsing gradually and then blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir into cooked pasta For an added treat, stir in some chopped, oil-packed sun dried tomatoes. Serves 8.

ASIAN PESTO—This delicious concoction can be served with noodles or as a sauce with chicken or fish. From Cooking Light magazine, August 2007.

2 cups basil (either sweet or Thai)

2 TBS. dry roast peanuts

1 TBS. sugar

1 1/2 TBS. sesame oil

1 TBS. fish sauce

1 TBS. rice wine vinegar

1 tsp. hot red pepper flakes

2 cloves garlic

Place in all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Makes 1/2 cup.

Houseplants are susceptible to many of the same pests that attack plants outside. Aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and mites are a few of these annoying bugs feeding off both outdoor and indoor plants. Before you reach for the commercial insecticide filled with harsh and toxic chemicals, try a homemade bug spray made with inexpensive items.

Red pepper powder spices up your meals and also keeps unwanted pests off your houseplants. Make a spray by mixing 2 tablespoons of red pepper powder, 6 drops of gentle dish soap and 1 gallon of water. Pour it into a clean spray bottle and spray in on houseplants once a week. When applying the red pepper spray, make sure the liquid thoroughly coats the tops and undersides of the leaves.

Heavily scented herbs — such as basil, lavender, mint, rosemary and sage — can help get rid of aphids, mites and other bugs attacking your houseplants. Make the herbal bug spray ahead of time by gathering the fragrant herbs, crushing them slightly and placing them inside a mesh sack. Leave herb-filled sack to brew in the sun in a covered bucket with 1/2 gallon water for four to six day days. Then, remove the herb-filled sack from the liquid. The herbal spray can be stored in a dark, cool location until you are ready to use it. Pour the herbal liquid into a clean spray bottle, add about 1/8 teaspoon of gentle dish soap, shake the bottle to mix and thoroughly coat the houseplants with the herbal bug spray.

Baby shampoo generally contains little to no unneeded fragrances or additives, and mixing 2 tablespoons of the gentle shampoo with 1 gallon of water will help control bugs on indoor plants. The mixture must cover the pests completely to provide proper control of the pests. Avoid using the baby shampoo spray on plants with a waxy coating or hairy leaves, and rinse the houseplant with water a few hours after you have applied to baby shampoo spray.

The cooking oil sitting in your kitchen pantry will control spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mealybugs and scale insects attacking your indoor plants. Mix 1 cup of cooking oil with 1 tablespoon of gentle dish soap produces a concentrated solution that you can store in a cool, dark area until you need it. If possible, use a new bottle of cooking oil just opened to create the concentrated solution. When ready to use, mix 4 teaspoons of the concentrated spray with 1 pint of water and liberally mist the plant. Multiple treatments with seven days between each application may be required to thoroughly control the bugs.

Although homemade bug sprays are generally less toxic and safer to use than commercial pesticides, they can still harm the plant if not used properly. Before treating the houseplant with the homemade sprays, test the mixture on a small area of the foliage. If after two to three days there is no damage to the treated area, use the bug spray as needed. During the treatment, refrain from placing the houseplant in direct sunlight or in areas where the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Direct sunlight and high temperatures mixed with insecticides of all types can lead to burned foliage, stems and flowers.

Source: homeguides.sfgate.com

By Nikki Phipps @ www.gardeningknowhow.com

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is considered one of the most adaptable of houseplants and the easiest to grow. This plant can grow in a wide range of conditions and suffers from few problems, other than brown tips. The spider plant is so named because of its spider-like plants, or spiderettes, which dangle down from the mother plant like spiders on a web. Available in green or variegated varieties, these spiderettes often start out as small white flowers.

Caring for spider plants is easy. These tough plants tolerate lots of abuse, making them excellent candidates for newbie gardeners or those without a green thumb. Provide them with well-drained soil and bright, indirect light and they will flourish. Water them well but do not allow the plants to become too soggy, which can lead to root rot. In fact, spider plants prefer to dry out some between waterings.

When caring for spider plants, also take into account that they enjoy cooler temperatures — around 55 to 65 F. (13-18 C.). Spider plants can also benefit from occasional pruning, cutting them back to the base.

Since spider plants prefer a semi-potbound environment, repot them only when their large, fleshy roots are highly visible and watering is difficult. Spider plants can be easily propagated as well through division of the mother plant or by planting the small spiderettes.

As daylight increases in spring, spider plants should begin producing flowers, eventually developing into babies, or spider plant spiderettes. This may not always occur, however, as only mature plants with enough stored energy will produce spiderettes. Spiderettes can be rooted in water or soil, but will generally yield more favorable results and a stronger root system when planted in soil.

Ideally, the best method for rooting spider plant spiderettes is by allowing the plantlet to remain attached to the mother plant. Choose a spiderette and place it in a pot of soil near the mother plant. Keep this well watered and once it roots, you can cut it from the mother plant.

Alternatively, you can cut off one of the plantlets, place it in a pot of soil, and water generously. Place the pot in a ventilated plastic bag and put this in a bright location. Once the spiderette is well rooted, remove from the bag and grow as usual.

If you begin to notice spider plant leaves browning, there’s no need for worry. Browning of leaf tips is quite normal and will not harm the plant. This is often the result of fluoride found in water, which causes salt buildup in the soil. It usually helps to periodically leach plants by giving them a thorough watering to flush out excess salts. Be sure to allow the water to drain out and repeat as needed. It may also help to use distilled water or even rainwater on plants instead of that from the kitchen or outside spigot.

Sunday, January 8, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Aldo Leopold and his graduate students kept journals to record the timing of natural events (phenology). Start the new year learning to track life cycle events. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

University of Wisconsin Arboretum

1207 Seminole Highway

Madison, WI 53711

608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu/ for details.

Thursday, January 12, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

David Stevens, Longenecker Horticultural Gardens curator and Susan Carpenter, Wisconsin Native Plant gardener. Stevens and Carpenter will share stories of past and present—highlighting plants and people shaping the gardens over time. Learn about new tools we are developing for learning and engagement.

The cost is $10. Registration is required for this event. Register @ arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/tales-from-the-arboretums-gardens/

University of Wisconsin Arboretum

1207 Seminole Highway

Madison, WI 53711

608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu/ for details.

Thursday, January 26, 6:30-8:00 p.m

Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, WI

Phillip J. Pellitteri, Distinguished Faculty Emeritus of the UW-Madison Entomology Department and frequent Wisconsin Public Radio contributor, will present the lecture “The Bugs You Love to Hate.” Learn about new insect invaders from the southern U.S. and Asia, and also about common garden pests in our area.

Admission: $3 for RBG Friends members and $5 for the general public. No registration required

Rotary Botanical Gardens

1455 Palmer Drive

Janesville, WI

608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/

Sunday, January 29, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Even when the ground is frozen and the air is cold, beauty and activity abound in the natural world. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

University of Wisconsin Arboretum

1207 Seminole Highway

Madison, WI 53711

608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu/ for details.

Thursday, February 2, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Ryan McVeigh, president and founder, Madison Area Herpetological Society. McVeigh will discuss many of the unique reptile and amphibian species that live in Wisconsin, including a lizard without legs, salamanders that breathes without lungs, and frogs that freeze solid during the winter.

The cost is $10. Registration is required for this event. Register @ arboretum.wisc.edu/classes/wisconsins-native-reptiles-and-amphibians/

University of Wisconsin Arboretum

1207 Seminole Highway

Madison, WI 53711

608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu/ for details.

Saturday, February 4, 10:00-4:00

Sunday, February 5, 10:00-3:00

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

In the middle of winter it is so delightful to be surrounded by the colorful and exotic fragrance of the world at a handy and comfortable location—new this year at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. It will be the 30th year for the Madison Orchid Growers Guild to host Orchid Quest.

Anything Orchids, Fox Valley, Orchids Limited, Natt’s Orchids, Hausermann Orchids, Orchid Trading Company, Vaughan James, Going to Pot, Paradigm Gardens and Klehm Growers are among the vendors. You will be able to find everything you need to take care of your new orchid plants including literature, growing media, fertilizer, orchid pots, and more. Come see this multidimensional show. Visit www.orchidguild.org for more details. Admission is free.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3330 Atwood Ave., Madison

608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.

Friday, February 10, 2:00-8:00

Saturday, February 11, 9:00-6:00

Sunday, February 12, 10:00-4:00

Garden Expo is a midwinter oasis for people ready to venture out and dig their hands in the dirt. Now in it’s 24th year, this three-day event celebrates the latest trends in gardening and landscaping. Join other gardening enthusiasts to share ideas, gain inspiration and create something new. All proceeds support Wisconsin Public Television.

Things to do at the Garden Expo;

-Get your hands dirty with more than 150 educational seminars, demonstrations and hands-on workshops.

-Visit with hundreds of businesses, independent contractors, nonprofits and artists to share ideas and learn about the newest in gardening and landscaping equipment and services.

-Relax with a casual walk through the central garden—courtesy of The Wisconsin Nursery and Landscape Association, Madison Chapter Inc..

-Discuss innovative gardening techniques with experts from the UW-Extention/Cooperative Extension Horticulture Team.

-Purchase seeds, tools and everything else you need to be ready when the trees bud and the ground thaws.

Tickets cost $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Two and three-day passes are available for added savings. Advance tickets are available at Klein’s. Visit www.wigardenexpo.com for more information.

Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall

1919 Alliant Energy Center Way

Madison, WI 53713

608/267-3976 or www.alliantenergycenter.com

Tuesdays, February 28 thru April 25, 6:30-9:00

Dane County UW-Extension Office, 5201 Fen Oak Dr, Suite 138

The 2017 Green Thumb Gardening Series will give you the practical knowledge to keep your home garden thriving! University of Wisconsin Extension educators, specialists, and local horticulture experts will provide in depth and accessible information for everyone from the novice to the experienced gardener.

February 28 – Composting & Soil Composition

Soil is where it all begins in the garden! Learn to improve your soil through a variety of home composting techniques including hot composting and vermicomposting (worms!). This class covers important information about soil types, nutrients, pH, organic matter, and fertilizers. Taught by Joe Muellenberg & Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Program.

March 7 – Native Plants for Gardens & Pollinators

Frank Hassler of Good Oak Ecological Services will discuss native prairie plants for gardens and some of the best plants to choose to attract butterflies and pollinator insects.

March 14 – Landscape Design

Ben Futa, Director at UW-Madison Allen Centennial Garden, will cover fundamentals and elements of landscape design for your annual or perennial home garden.

March 21 – Vegetable Garden Planning & Techniques

Claire Strader, Small-Scale and Organic Produce Educator at Dane County UW-Extension, will cover organic techniques for growing vegetables, with an emphasis on practical strategies for getting a good harvest.

March 28 – Vegetable Families, Pests & Diseases

Learn about common vegetable families, best growing practices, and how to prevent common pests and diseases. Taught by Joe Muellenberg & Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Program.

April 4 – Wisconsin Wildlife in the Home Garden

David Drake, UW-Madison Wildlife Ecologist, will discuss desirable and non-desirable wildlife in the garden. He will concentrate on pest exclusion and control strategies.

April 6 – Organic Landscape Maintenance (NEW!)

Many people are interested in reducing or eliminating pesticides and inorganic fertilizers in the landscape because of concerns about water quality and potential threats to humans, pets, bees, birds and other wildlife. Join Becky Kielstrup, General Manager and Horticulturalist at Avant Gardening & Landscaping, to learn about organic lawn care, sustainable planting methods, integrated pest management and simple steps and tips on how to begin!

April 11 – Growing Berries (NEW!)

Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and currants oh my! Learn which varieties are best suited for Wisconsin and how to properly care for them for a delicious harvest year after year. Taught by Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Program.

April 25 – Annuals & Perennials

Learn general techniques for selecting, planting, and caring for annuals and perennials as well as covering some new and recommended varieties. Taught by Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Horticulture Program.

Sign up for individual classes at $25.00 each OR the complete class series for $150.00 (Includes a set of handout materials to accompany each class).

To register, please visit dane.uwex.edu/horticulture/greenthumbclasses

Dane County University of Wisconsin-Extension

5201 Fen Oak Dr, Suite 138

Saturdays, January 7 thru April 7, 8:00-noon

Madison Senior Center

330 W. Mifflin

For details visit www.dcfm.org

JANUARY IN THE GARDEN—A checklist of things to do this month.

___Place your used Christmas tree in the garden for added wildlife protection.

___Inspect stored summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas and glads for rotting.

___Check for and treat for pests on plants brought in from the garden.

___Begin forcing stored elephant’s ears at the end of January.

___Keep birdfeeders full. Clean periodically with soap and water.

___Inventory last year’s leftover seeds before ordering new ones.

___Order your seeds. By ordering early, there are usually freebies & discounts.

___Start certain slow-growers like lisianthus, geraniums, pentas and bananas.

___Shop for summer bulbs like begonias, caladium, calla and elephant’s ears.

___Use the winter days to plan next summer’s garden.

___Check your garden for any plant damage from weather or rodents.

___Have trees trimmed–it’s often times cheaper and easier to schedule.

___Visit Klein’s—it’s green, it’s warm, it’s colorful—it’s always spring.

Some of our very favorite seed and plant sources include:

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds @ www.rareseeds.com or 417/924-8887

Burpee @ www.burpee.com or 800/888-1447

Harris Seeds @ www.harrisseeds.com or 800/514-4441

Johnny’s Select Seeds @ www.johnnyseeds.com or 207/861-3901

Jung’s Seeds @ www.jungseed.com or 800/247-5864

Park’s Seeds @ www.parkseed.com or 800/845-3369

Pinetree @ www.superseeds.com or 207/926-3400

Seeds of Change @ www.seedsofchange.com or 888/762-7333

Seed Savers @ www.seedsavers.org or 563/382-5990

Select Seeds @ www.selectseeds.com or 800/684-0395

Territorial Seeds @ www.territorialseed.com or 888/657-3131

Thompson & Morgan @ www.thompson-morgan.com or 800/274-7333

Brent & Becky’s Bulbs @ www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 877/661-2852

Colorblends @ www.colorblends.com or 888/847-8637

John Scheeper’s @ www.johnscheepers.com or 860/567-0838

McClure & Zimmerman @ www.mzbulb.com or 800/883-6998

High Country Gardens @ www.highcountrygardens.com or 800/925-9387

Logee’s Greenhouses @ www.logees.com or 888/330-8038

Plant Delights Nursery @ www.plantdelights.com or 912/772-4794

Roots and Rhizomes @ www.rootsrhizomes.com or 800/374-5035

Wayside Gardens @ www.waysidegardens.com or 800/213-0379

White Flower Farm @ www.whiteflowerfarm.com or 800/503-9624

Note: To receive every possible seed, plant or garden supply catalog imaginable, check out Cyndi’s Catalog of Garden Catalogs @ www.gardenlist.com. Most catalogs are free and make for great winter reading!

BEHIND THE SCENES AT KLEIN’S—This is a sneak peek of what is going on each month behind the scenes in our greenhouses. Many people are unaware that our facility operates year round or that we have 10 more greenhouses on the property in addition to the 6 open for retail. At any given moment we already have a jump on the upcoming season–be it poinsettias in July, geraniums in December or fall mums in May.

—This is the quietest month at the greenhouse. All 10 greenhouses in our back range have been shut down to save on energy and prep them for all the spring plants that start arriving in February.

—We take advantage of the warm and sunny rooms in our front range (the retail area) to do any touch up painting or construction to ready ourselves for the spring season.

—Thousands of geranium cuttings arrive for our 5” pots and we begin planting up our geranium hanging baskets and flower pouches.

—We begin stepping our tropicals into larger pots for spring sale. This early jump gives you larger and more vigorous plants than many of our competitors.

—We spend much of our time ordering product for next summer, from plants to pottery to garden ornaments and sundries.

—We begin to access our needs for spring staffing and try to have the new people in place and trained by March 1. March and April are the busiest months behind the scenes in the greenhouse and we rely on a dedicated, hardworking team to have everything ready for the customer come May 1 and the spring onslaught.

—Hundreds of herbs for windowsill culture are thriving in the sunny, warm greenhouses . We have chosen only the best assortment for indoor growing and winter harvest. Choose from rosemary, lavender, parsley, thyme and more.

—We continue to plan and prepare for Wisconsin Public Television’s Garden Expo at the Alliant Energy Center in February by sprucing up display pieces and potting up thousands of violas, primrose, cineraria, etc. for sale at the show. This is Klein’s biggest annual event and our most important advertising.

Have our monthly newsletter e-mailed to you automatically by signing up on the right side of our home page. We’ll offer monthly tips, greenhouse news and tidbits, specials and recipes. . .everything you need to know from your favorite Madison greenhouse. And tell your friends. It’s easy to do.

Ask us your gardening questions by e-mailing us at madgardener@kleinsfloral.com. Klein’s in-house Mad Gardener will e-mail you with an answer as promptly as we can. The link is posted on our home page and in all newsletters.

We can only answer those questions pertaining to gardening in Southern Wisconsin and we reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.

Follow Klein’s on Facebook where we post updates and photos on a regular basis.

Join Klein’s on Twitter where we post company updates and photos on a regular basis.

We offer a 10% Off Senior Citizen Discount every Tuesday to those 62 and above. This discount is not in addition to other discounts or sales. Please mention that you are a senior before we ring up your purchases. Does not apply to wire out orders or services, i.e. delivery, potting, etc.

Plastic flower pots and garden edging can now be recycled as part of the City of Madison’s rigid plastic program. Flowerpots and edging must be free of dirt and can be placed in your green recycling bin. For more information call 267-2626 or visit www.cityofmadison.com/streets/recycling/plastic.cfm

There’s no easier way to give gorgeous blooming plants or fresh flower arrangements, month after month. Each month a seasonal blooming plant or fresh arrangement will arrive on yours or a loved one’s doorstep. You choose the start date and we’ll make your special delivery the very same day each month.

For just $75, $150 or $300, respectively, we’ll send 3 month’s, 6 month’s or a year’s worth of seasonal blooming plants–perhaps a bulb garden or azalea in the spring, one of our famous large geraniums or a tropical hibiscus in the summer, a chrysanthemum or Thanksgiving cactus in the fall or one of our homegrown poinsettias or cyclamen for the holidays and winter months. Selection of the blooming plant will be based on availability.

And for just $90, $175 or $350, respectively, receive one of Klein’s lovely fresh floral arrangements. All arrangements will be seasonal and will contain only the freshest flowers. All arrangements are Designer’s Choice, but are sure to satisfy the most discerning lover of fresh flowers.

Prices include delivery within our delivery area. Enclosure cards will accompany all gift deliveries if desired. For delivery details visit the “Permanent Features” section of our newsletter below. If your chosen delivery date happens to fall on a Sunday or holiday, we will deliver it on the next available delivery day. All regular delivery conditions apply.

Join our Blooming Plant or Fresh Flower Club by calling Klein’s at 608/244-5661 or 888/244-5661 or by stopping in. We request that payment be made in full before the first delivery and prices do not include sales tax.

Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses delivers daily, except Sundays, throughout all of Madison and much of Dane County including: Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Shorewood Hills, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee and Windsor. We do not deliver to Cambridge, Columbus, Deerfield or Stoughton.

Current delivery rate on 1-4 items is $7.95 for Madison, Maple Bluff, Monona and Shorewood Hills; $8.95 for Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor; and $9.95 for Marshall, Middleton, Oregon and Verona. An additional $3.00 will be added for deliveries of 4-10 items and $5.00 added for deliveries of more than 10 items. For deliveries requiring more than one trip, a separate delivery charge will be added for each trip.

A minimum order of $25.00 is required for delivery.

We not only deliver our fabulous fresh flowers, but also houseplants, bedding plants and hardgoods. There may be an extra charge for very large or bulky items.

Delivery to the Madison hospitals is $5.95. Deliveries to the four Madison hospitals are made during the early afternoon. Items are delivered to the hospital’s volunteer rooms and not directly to the patients’ rooms per hospital rules.

There is no delivery charge for funerals in the city of Madison or Monona, although normal rates apply for morning funeral deliveries to Madison’s west side (west of Park St.). Our normal rates also apply for funeral deliveries in the surrounding communities at all times. Although we don’t deliver on Sundays, we will deliver funeral items on Sundays at the regular delivery rate.

Morning delivery is guaranteed to the following Madison zip codes, but only if requested: 53703, 53704, 53714, 53716, 53718 and Cottage Grove, DeForest, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Monona, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and Windsor.

We begin our delivery day at 8:00 a.m. and end at approximately 3:00 p.m. We do not usually deliver after 4:00 unless specific exceptions are made with our drivers.

Except for holidays, the following west-side zip codes and communities are delivered only during the afternoon: 53705, 53706, 53711, 53713, 53717, 53719, 53726, Fitchburg, Middleton, Oregon, Shorewood Hills and Verona.

During holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc.) we are able to make morning deliveries to all of the above areas. We are not able to take closely timed deliveries on any holiday due to the sheer volume of such requests.

It’s best to give us a range of time and we’ll try our absolute hardest. Orders for same day delivery must be placed by 12:30 p.m. or by 2:30 p.m. for Madison zip codes 53704 and 53714.

DEPARTMENT HEADS: Please refer all questions, concerns or feedback in the following departments to their appropriate supervisor.

Phone: 608/244-5661 or 888/244-5661

Horticulturalist & General Manager–Jamie VandenWymelenberg jamie@kleinsfloral.com

Accounts, Billing and Purchasing—Kathryn Derauf kathryn@kleinsfloral.com

Delivery Supervisor & Newsletter Coordinator—Rick Halbach rick@kleinsfloral.com

Owner, Floral Designer & Purchasing—Sue Klein sue@kleinsfloral.com

University of Wisconsin Extension

1 Fen Oak Ct. #138

Madison, WI 53718

Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic

Dept. of Plant Pathology

1630 Linden Dr.

Madison, WI 53706

Insect Diagnostic Lab

240 Russell Labs

1630 Linden Dr.

Madison, WI 53706

U.W. Soil and Plant Analysis Lab

8452 Mineral Point Rd.

Verona, WI 53593

American Horticultural Society

Garden Catalogs (an extensive list with links)

also http://www.mailordergardening.com/

Invasive Species

Community Groundworks

3601 Memorial Dr., Ste. 4

Madison, WI 53704

Madison Area Master Gardeners (MAMGA)

Wisconsin Master Gardeners Program

Department of Horticulture

1575 Linden Drive

University of Wisconsin – Madison

Madison, WI 53706

The Wisconsin Gardener

Allen Centennial Gardens

620 Babcock Dr.

Madison, WI 53706

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3330 Atwood Ave.

Madison, WI 53704

Rotary Gardens

1455 Palmer Dr.

Janesville, WI 53545

University of WI Arboretum

1207 Seminole Hwy.

Madison, WI 53711

University of Wisconsin-West Madison

Agricultural Research Center

8502 Mineral Point Rd.

Verona, WI 53593

Children may find the bright colors and different textures of plants irresistible, but some plants can be poisonous if touched or eaten. If you’re in doubt about whether or not a plant is poisonous, don’t keep it in your home. The risk is not worth it. The following list is not comprehensive, so be sure to seek out safety information on the plants in your home to be safe.

•Bird of paradise

•Bull nettle

•Castor bean

•Chinaberry tree

•Crocus

•Daffodil

•Deadly nightshade

•Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)

•Foxglove

•Glory lily

•Hemlock

•Holly berry

•Indian tobacco

•Iris

•Jimsonweed

•Lantana

•Larkspur

•Lily of the valley

•Marijuana

•Mescal bean

•Mexicantes

•Mistletoe

•Morning glory

•Mountain laurel

•Night-blooming jasmine

•Nutmeg

•Oleander

•Philodendron

•Poison ivy

•Poison sumac

•Pokeweed

•Poppy

•Potato

•Privet

•Rhododendron

•Rhubarb

•Water hemlock

•Wisteria

Below is a list of some of the common plants which may produce a toxic reaction in animals. This list is intended only as a guide to plants which are generally identified as having the capability for producing a toxic reaction. Source: The National Humane Society website @ http://www.humanesociety.org/

•Aconite

•Apple

•Arrowgrasses

•Autumn Crocus

•Azaleas

•Baneberry

•Bird-of-Paradise

•Black locust

•Bloodroot

•Box

•Buckeye

•Buttercup

•Caladium

•Carolina jessamine

•Castor bean

•Chinaberry tree

•Chockcherries

•Christmas berry

•Christmas Rose

•Common privet

•Corn cockle

•Cowbane

•Cow cockle

•Cowsliprb

•Daffodil

•Daphne

•Day lily

•Delphinium (Larkspur)

•Dumbcane

•Dutchman’s breeches

•Easter lily

•Elderberry

•Elephant’s ear

•English Ivy

•European Bittersweet

•Field peppergrass

•Foxglove

•Holly

•Horsechestnut

•Horse nettle

•Hyacinth

•Iris

•Jack-in-the-pulpit

•Jerusalem Cherry

•Jimsonweed

•Lantana

•Larkspur

•Laurels

•Lily of the valley

•Lupines

•Mayapple

•Milk vetch

•Mistletoe

•Monkshood

•Morning glory

•Mustards

•Narcissus

•Nicotiana

•Nightshade

•Oaks

•Oleander

•Philodendrons

•Pokeweed

•Poinsettia

•Poison hemlock

•Potato

•Rhododendron

•Rhubarb

•Rosary pea

•Sago palm

•Skunk cabbage

•Smartweeds

•Snow-on-the-mountain

•Sorghum

•Star of Bethlehem

•Wild black cherry

•Wild radish

•Wisteria

•Yellow jessamine

•Yew