‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—DECEMBER 2022
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Now Hiring Floral Designers and a Delivery Driver
Special Holiday Shopping Hours
Coming Soon: Our Popular 12 Days of Christmas Specials
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
How to Design an Outdoor Holiday Container or Porch Pot
Eight Great Gift Ideas for This Holiday Season
How To Have an Eco-Friendly Green Christmas Holiday
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked about a Sad Hibiscus Plant
Plant of the Month: Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica)
Klein’s Favorite Pear Recipes
Product Spotlight: Sol Soils Premium Potting Mixes and Amendments
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From November 2022
—Houseplant Pest Control Done Naturally
—My Favorite Holiday Bloomer
—Nifty and Nimble Nuthatches
December in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
NOW HIRING PART-TIME FLORAL DELIVERY DRIVER
Klein’s is currently looking for a part-time floral delivery driver. We’re looking for someone with a flexible schedule, who is available 2-3 days a week from about 8:00-2:00. Occasional Saturdays and floral holidays (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mothers’ Day, etc.) are required. No experience is necessary with on the job training. A good driving record is a must, however.
This may be a perfect job if you’re retired and want to remain active or would like some extra cash working in a fun and unique environment.
If you enjoy meeting people and putting a smile on their face, this might be the job for you!!
Please stop by the store or contact Rick or Sue @ 608-244-5661 for more information.
NOW HIRING FLORAL DESIGNERS
We are now hiring floral designers to work with our floral manager Darcy before she retires at the end of the year. Floral holidays and some Saturdays are required. Flexible hours. Please contact Sue (sue@kleinsfloral.com) for more information.
THE 2023 KLEIN’S CALENDARS ARE NOW AVAILABLE…
…and new for 2023 Klein’s gorgeous custom-designed calendars are loaded with not only beautiful garden photographs, but also month by month gardening tips AND and a matching coupon for in-store savings…a different money-saving coupon for every month of the year!
Klein’s beautiful 2023 calendar is just $6.99 and makes the perfect stocking stuffer or add-on gift for the Klein’s shopper in your life this holiday season.
***Please note that unlike years past, FTD is no longer offering floral calendars for giveaway.
WATCH FOR OUR POPULAR “12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS” SPECIALS. Each day from Tuesday, December 13 through Christmas Eve, Klein’s will feature a new item for holiday gift-giving, culminating on Saturday, December 24 with all featured products on sale for last minute shoppers and bargain seekers. Visit our website or watch for emailed updates.
THE MAD GARDENER
Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice
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 on our home page and in our contacts 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.
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.
KLEIN’S ‘HOUSEPLANT HELP’
You can contact Klein’s in-house indoor plant experts by emailing to houseplanthelp@kleinsfloral.com for sound information and advice regarding indoor tropicals, succulents, blooming plants and so much more.
For many years, customers’ indoor plant questions have been directed to Klein’s Mad Gardener. Now you have the opportunity to contact our indoor plant experts directly. We’ve posted a link on our home page and in our contacts 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.
We reserve the right to leave correspondence unanswered at our discretion. Please allow 2-3 days for a response.
DECEMBER STORE HOURS:
Holiday Hours
Monday thru Friday 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-6:00
Sunday: 10:00-5:00
Holiday hours run through Friday, December 23
Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24—Open 9:00-4:00
Starting December 26:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31–Open 9:00-4:00
Closed Christmas Day, December 25 & New Year’s Day, January 1, 2023
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Early December–Order your beautiful poinsettias, blooming plants, designer gift baskets or custom-made centerpieces now for holiday gift-giving and guaranteed delivery. Early ordering ensures you top quality product for your home decorating and holiday party needs.
December 3—Design & Create Outdoor Holiday Containers, 10:00-11:00 @ Klein’s. Visit our website for details and to sign up.
December 7–Full Moon
December 13 thru December 24–Stop in and check-out our in-store specials during Klein’s “12 Days of Christmas” for any last minute gift-giving ideas. We still have a fantastic selection of homegrown poinsettias, blooming plants, houseplants, decorations and more. Shop early for the best section and we’ll deliver anywhere in Madison or most of the surrounding communities.
December 18–Hanukkah Begins (runs through December 26)
December 21–Winter Solstice
December 24–Christmas Eve (Open 9:00-4:00)
December 25–Christmas Day (Closed)
December 26–Kwanzaa Begins (runs through January 1)
December 26—The After Christmas Clearance Sale begins at 9:00! Everything ‘holiday’ must go! This is a great time to plan for this week’s New Years Eve party or to pick up some excellent bargains for next year’s decorating. Poinsettias are perfect for adding instant color to your late season holiday party and are gorgeous in fresh arrangements.
December 26 thru December 31–Order your New Years Eve centerpieces and custom designed arrangements early!
December 31–New Year’s Eve (Open 9:00-4:00)
January 1, 2023–New Year’s Day (Closed)
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
How to Design an Outdoor Holiday Container or Porch Pot
Nothing says “Happy Holidays” and “Welcome” like an attractive arrangement of greens, branches, flowers, and other decorative items. Designing a holiday pot is not difficult, if you follow a few guides.
Get a nice container. It does not have to be expensive. You can choose cheap plastic pots that can be painted or covered with paper for a bright look. If you have an attractive, largish pot, use that one. You should also think about where your container will be placed. If you have a dramatic entrance to your home, you need a big pot — or maybe two or three of them. If your house is cozier, a smaller container will look best.
Choose your greens. The best holiday pots involve several kinds of greenery. You can buy mixed bundles or get greens from your yard. (Please do not take greens from public or private property without permission. Although yard waste dump sites can be a great source!!) You want a mixture of textures–short fir, pines with long needles, spruce. It’s recommended that a well-balanced container needs 4 to 5 kinds of greens, but 3 kinds looks fine.
Choose your extras. In addition to greenery, pick 3 or 4 extras, like flowers, twigs or berries. Again, no need to spend a lot of money. If you have a shrub with tall branches that needs trimming, cut a few. Don’t worry about mixing real and fake elements, either. If you’ve got some fake poinsettia flowers, add them to the mix. Extra ornaments? Sure. Get creative. Just don’t overdo it. If you have too many elements in your pot, it will look chaotic.
Do the math. Containers are all about proportion. For a pot to look “full enough,” the top of the display should be at least 1.5 times the height of the pot. But it can be more, and some designers suggest the top of the display be two times the height of the pot, plus the width of the pot (2H + W = Pretty). So, if your pot is 15 inches across and 12 inches high, the formula would be: [ (2×12) + 15 = 39]. The top point on the container should be about 39 inches above the container.
Start with the greens. To build your container, start by putting potting mix in the container. Garden soil is fine. You want a fast draining material. Then, keeping in mind the angle from which your pot will be viewed, start building a base of greens. Don’t think about this too much. Just cut the greens to the size you want, and stick them in the pot. Start at the outside and move inward. Use several kinds of greens — remember, this is mostly about texture. The contrasting colors and shapes of the greenery provide interest and a substantial backdrop for the contrasting elements to come.
Add the exciting elements. Once you are satisfied with the scale, size, and texture of the base, add the exciting elements. We like red-twig dogwood branches for height and color contrast, but you can also add hydrangea blooms, curly willow or other tall branches, gorgeous red silk flowers, a ribbon wound through the greenery, or large pine cones. Berries, ornaments such as woven balls or metal or glass holiday ornaments, berries, spent flowers that still look nice, fruit — the only limits on what you put in your container are your taste, your budget, and your creativity. Make sure your pot has a focal point — a spot you look to right away.
Water the pot. Once your container is completed, water it thoroughly and set it outside to freeze. (In Wisconsin, no problem. In warmer climates, just set it out.) The water keeps the elements in the pot healthy and prevents them from blowing away. A container planting like this one can look vibrant and attractive a long time — up until March. You may want to change out some elements to change the theme from holiday to winter.
Source: mynortherngarden.com
YOU ASKED. . .
I have a hibiscus plant in a 14″ pot . We brought it in from outdoors last month. The problem is that since we brought it indoors some of the leaves are drooping every day even though it’s blooming. The drooping leaves are quite prevalent and I’m concerned and want to know what might be causing this. Nora
Hi Nora,
Hibiscus will nearly always drop many, if not all, of its leaves once brought indoors. Conditions indoors cannot replicate a “tropical” summer outdoors. Oftentimes they won’t regenerate new foliage until the days lengthen in February. For some reason, red varieties tend to lose the most leaves.
Though your hibiscus has flowers on it now, that may (and will probably) end soon also as the days continue to shorten…even in the brightest and warmest conditions unless you have a sunroom.
One generally overwinters hibiscus indoors here in Wisconsin to save money, have a larger plant next year and get earlier blooms next summer. That said, your hibiscus will probably become very leggy indoors by late winter. It should be pruned heavily now in the fall (It’s hard to do while blooming.). Here in the north, if one prunes hibiscus in the spring, flowering can be delayed by months and in cool summers, it may not bloom at all next year.
Hibiscus are thirsty plants year round. They must be consistently deep watered and never really allowed to dry out too much. The drooping you mention is almost always a deep watering issue.
Plants should not be repotted in the fall as the days shorten. It’s best to wait until March when the work (and mess) can be done outdoors.
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . .that there are oodles of fantastic and easy gift ideas for the gardeners and outdoorsy folks in your life?
EIGHT GREAT GIFT IDEAS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
1. Of course, a Klein’s Gift Card is always the perfect gift. One can purchase it in any amount and it never expires. If you like, we can mail them to those on your holiday gift list. Call or stop by to purchase gift cards in person, or Click Here to order online.
2. A naturally air purifying houseplant. Choose from our large selection of houseplants and blooming in all sizes and for any decor. Buy a plant and a pot from us and we’ll pot it up for you…FREE!
3. A Dane Buy Local Gift Card. Each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns 3 times more money to your local economy than one spent at a chain — a benefit we all can bank on. For more details, check out danebuylocal.com.
4. A gift subscription to one of the many great gardening magazines on the market today including:
The American Gardener @ ahsgardening.org
Birds & Blooms @ birdsandblooms.com
Garden Gate @ gardengatemagazine.com
Fine Gardening @ finegardening.com
Horticulture Magazine @ hortmag.com
Mother Earth News @ motherearthnews.com
5. An Olbrich Botanical Gardens Gift Membership. Share a full year of beauty and inspiration! Choose from individual memberships (beginning at just $40) or Plus One ($50), Family ($55) or Family and Guest Memberships (just $65/year). Benefits include free entrance to many of Olbrich’s shows and exhibits and the Bolz Conservatory. Enjoy added savings at the gift shop and on most classes and seminars. Visit olbrich.org/membership/gift.cfm for details.
6. Or perhaps a Rotary Botanical Gardens Gift Membership. Choose from Individual Friend memberships (beginning at just $40) or Friend +1 ($60), Friend Family ($80), among other membership options. Benefits include general admission to Rotary Botanical Gardens based on membership level (excluding special events), reciprocity admission and/or discounts at over 300 participating American Horticultural Society gardens, 10% discount at Cottage Garden Gallery and Plant Sales, discounts at Janesville area businesses and our e-newsletter. Visit www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/support/membership/join-or-renew-online/ for details.
7. A yearly admission sticker to the Wisconsin’s state parks. Share the beauty of our great state with family and friends. “The Wisconsin State Park System provides places for outdoor recreation and for learning about nature and conservation. The 99 state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas report about 14 million visits a year. Come and join the fun!”
For more information on how to purchase a 2023 state park admission sticker, visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks.
8. Seed starting supplies such as seeds, grow lights, seed starting mixes, cell packs, and trays, peat or coir pots, plant tags and markers or a self-contained a growing kit.
Great Seed 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
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.
Sol Soils Premium Potting Mixes and Amendments
Sol Soils offers a variety of high-quality soils, soil components, and soil toppers designed for potted plants of all varieties. We select and hand-mix the best ingredients to produce fast draining soils that help protect against root rot, the number one killer of indoor plants.
At Sol Soils, we are passionate about the beauty of plants and the natural world. But passion doesn’t change the world without action. Through our partnership with global non-profit One Tree Planted, we donate a portion of every bag sold to plant a tree in the world’s most deforested areas. With each purchase of a Sol Soils product, you are directly contributing to the restoration of our planet’s most beautiful and important ecosystems.
Sol Soils is a small Minneapolis-based company founded in the summer of 2021 by friends and plant aficionados Travis Thein and John Porter. Travis developed a deep interest in cacti and succulents during the pandemic of 2020 and realized quickly that all the mainstream specialty soils available retained far too much water for his indoor, potted plants. He spent over 1,000 hours researching, designing, and testing different soil mixes for his own plants. The goal was to create faster-draining mediums to help his indoor plants thrive. Since then he has been regularly consulting with soil scientists and botanists to perfect the mixes. John was fascinated and impressed with the whole process, and during a trip to Palm Springs–while browsing a cactus nursery–the two decided to create a business to share these mixes more broadly. Sol Soils was born.
Klein’s is happy to be carrying these Sol Soils products:
Houseplant Chunky Mix—Houseplant Chunky Mix contains the most organic matter of all our products to ensure that your houseplants get all the moisture and nutrients they need to thrive. This mix utilizes recycled coconut chips and coir, an otherwise wasted byproduct of the coconut industry. Of the 50 million coconuts produced around the world each year, about 85% of the husks are discarded as trash. As a soil component, the ground husks offer excellent aeration and moisture retention properties while still providing a fast-draining medium to reduce the risk of soggy soil and root-rot for indoor potted plants.
Succulent Gritty Mix—Succulent Gritty Mix is ideal for a wide variety of succulents and other dry-weather plants. It contains more organic matter and retains more moisture/nutrients than our cactus soil. This mix utilizes recycled coconut chips and coir, an otherwise wasted byproduct of the coconut industry. Of the 50 million coconuts produced around the world each year, about 85% of the husks are discarded as trash. As a soil component, the ground husks offer excellent aeration and moisture retention properties while still providing a fast-draining medium to reduce the risk of soggy soil and root-rot for indoor potted plants.
Cactus Gritty Mix—Cactus Gritty Mix is the mix that started it all! This puts a more eco-friendly spin on the traditional gritty cactus soil by utilizing coconut chips and coir, an otherwise wasted byproduct of the coconut industry. Of the 50 million coconuts produced around the world each year, about 85% of the husks are discarded as trash. As a soil component, the ground husks offer excellent aeration and moisture retention properties while still providing a fast-draining medium. Cactus Gritty Mix is the perfect choice for a wide variety of cacti and other hardy, dry-weather plants.
LECA Balls—LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) is becoming one of the most popular and versatile substances in horticulture. As a soil component or medium, it retains moisture while providing excellent drainage for excess water. Use as a soil topper for a unique desert or Martian theme!
Pumice—Pumice (filtered 3/8″ to 1/4″ in size) is relatively lightweight volcanic rock used as an amendment in all types of soil. Its porous composition allows it to retain moisture and nutrients during watering, and release them slowly over time as the root system requires. Think of these components as little batteries for your plants!
Source: solsoils.com
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: NOVEMBER 11, 2022 (Houseplant Pest Control Done Naturally)
What to do when pests attack your houseplants without resorting to chemicals? It’s sometimes easier than you think and there are many homemade remedies that are not only safe, but extremely effective.
Sometimes simply changing the pests’ environment is the simple solution. This oftentimes works with fungus gnats—which hate dry soil, and spider mites—which do not thrive under humid conditions. Aphids can be controlled by the occasional blast of soapy water from a spray bottle. Scale and mealy bugs can be easily controlled with a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball or swab.
The first thing to do is isolate an infected plant. Prune or remove the most infected foliage if possible, then carefully wash the stems and leaves (top and bottom) with a mild solution of water and dish soap. Watch the plant carefully and repeat as necessary. The bottom sides of the leaves are the preferred hiding places for whiteflies and spider mites. Periodically mist your plants with this soapy solution. Please note that this should not be done with hairy leafed plants like African violets.
Other home remedies include a 1:10 solution of milk to water for powdery mildew and a garlic tea, made by steeping chopped garlic in hot water for 6 hours. This is also very effective against powdery mildew.
Ironically, moving your plants outdoors during the summer months may be the most effective and simplest pest control available to you. During the summer, when plenty of insect predators and parasites are found in the garden, putting the infected plant outdoors may take care of the problem. Either the pests will be eaten, or, as with aphids, the adults may fly away to another host plant. You’ll notice the pests may reappear again in late winter, but the predatory attacks usually cause a real setback; buying valuable time before you put the plant back outdoors again.
Some ‘natural’ over-the-counter products you may want to consider include:
Insecticidal Soap–Mild and effective, it can sometimes harm plants if used too often.
Hot Pepper Spray–Tends to repel soft bodied insects like thrips, whiteflies and aphids. Hot Pepper Wax actually destroys the insect.
B.T. (Bacillus thuringiensis)–A bacteria that makes caterpillars/larvae unable to digest food, thereby killing them.
Neem Oil–Extracted from the neem seed, it is not only effective against insects, but also fungi like mildew and rust.
Aphid and Whitefly Traps–Sticky cards placed near the infected plant attract pest during their flying stages.
Paraffin Sprays–Blocks the breathing apparatus of most insects. Can be a little harsh on some plants so test it out first.
As always, follow the manufacturers instructions when handling any pesticide, even those labeled as natural and safe. Ask a greenhouse associate if you have any questions when purchasing these products.
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ENTRY: NOVEMBER 21, 2022 (My Favorite Holiday Bloomer)
Amaryllis are far and away my favorite of the holiday/winter blooming plants with about 15 pots either starting to bloom throughout the house or at various stages of development in the basement and in the root cellar. Because I can easily regulate their growth and development using temperature, I have amaryllis in bloom from now (mid-November) through March when my pots of forced tulips and hyacinths take their place.
I choose to plant mostly Christmas amaryllis, rather than the larger Royal Dutch hybrids, because I can always have some in bloom by Thanksgiving and ready to bloom for holiday gift giving. The Dutch hybrids can take up to three or more months to bloom, whereas Christmas types can bloom in as little as 6-8 weeks. My choices this year (all from John Scheepers @ www.johnscheepers.com) include; ‘Cocktail’ (Always the first to bloom with striking signal-red flowers accented with bold white starbursts), ‘Miracle’ (Deep cardinal-red with a velvety sheen. One of the best, large, solid red varieties.), ‘Pink Surprise’ (Bright watermelon-pink with luminous magenta-pink veins. One of the only real pink varieties) and ‘Double King (Puffy layers of big, deep red flower petals).
Plant amaryllis bulbs in any well-drained, bagged potting soil. Use a terra cotta or ceramic pot for added weight. Amaryllis are notoriously top heavy. Choose a pot that extends no more than one inch from the edges of the bulb. For proper blooming, amaryllis bulbs require the snug fit. Plant the bulb firmly with 1/4-1/3 of the bulb above the soil line. Water in well and place in a warm location. From this point on, water on the lighter side until the flower stalk is 3-6″ tall, after which watering can be increased to the point where the soil never dries out. Move your 3-4″ tall amaryllis to a bright location, rotating the pot as needed so the plant doesn’t lean too much.
After flowering, cut off the flower stalk, leaving the foliage. Continue watering as any houseplant, leaving the pot in a bright location.
Come spring, plant your amaryllis into the garden in a fairly sunny location. Your plant should get rather large with firm, deep green foliage. Dig the bulb in early September and allow it to rest in a warm, dry location for 8-10 weeks. The bulb should be large and firm and completely rejuvenated The foliage can be removed once it has yellowed entirely. After the 8 weeks repot your bulb as you did the previous season. The cycle begins anew. Amaryllis bulbs can last for many, many years with proper care.
Klein’s offers many amaryllis choices in many types and colors. A number of gift box choices are available for easy gift giving for the gardener in your life. Klein’s also carries an assortment of waxed amaryllis….no planting and no watering! Simply watch it grow and bloom!
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ENTRY: NOVEMBER 27, 2022 (Nifty and Nimble Nuthatches)
Nuthatches are among my favorite year round visitors to my birdfeeders. And today, for the first time in many a season, a red-breasted nuthatch, in addition to the more common white-breasted nuthatch, made an appearance at one of my peanut feeders. Nutchatches are known for their fun-to-watch antics as they scale down trees head first before taking a single seed from the feeders and then flying off to a nearby tree to enjoy.
About White-breasted Nuthatches—
A common feeder bird with clean black, gray, and white markings, White-breasted Nuthatches are active, agile little birds with an appetite for insects and large, meaty seeds. They get their common name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside. White-breasted Nuthatches may be small but their voices are loud, and often their insistent nasal yammering will lead you right to them.
The largest nuthatch, this is still a small bird with a large head and almost no neck. The tail is very short, and the long, narrow bill is straight or slightly upturned.
White-breasted Nuthatches are agile birds that creep along trunks and large branches, probing into bark furrows with their straight, pointed bills. Like other nuthatches, they often turn sideways and upside down on vertical surfaces as they forage. They don’t lean against their tails the way woodpeckers do.
White-breasted Nuthatches are birds of mature woods and woodland edges. They’re particularly associated with deciduous stands, including maple, hickory, basswood, and oak, though they can be found in some coniferous forests.
White-breasted Nuthatches are common feeder birds. You can attract them by offering large nuts such as sunflower and peanuts, and by putting out suet. In winter you can find them in small flocks of chickadees and titmice; if you see one in a flock keep your eyes out, as there’s a good chance the bird’s mate is in the flock as well.
About Red-Breasted Nuthatches—
An intense bundle of energy at your feeder, Red-breasted Nuthatches are tiny, active birds of north woods and western mountains. These long-billed, short-tailed songbirds travel through tree canopies with chickadees, kinglets, and woodpeckers but stick to tree trunks and branches, where they search bark furrows for hidden insects. Their excitable yank-yank calls sound like tiny tin horns being honked in the treetops.
A small, compact bird with a sharp expression accentuated by its long, pointed bill. Red-breasted Nuthatches have very short tails and almost no neck; the body is plump or barrel-chested, and the short wings are very broad.
Red-breasted Nuthatches are blue-gray birds with strongly patterned heads: a black cap and stripe through the eye broken up by a white stripe over the eye. The underparts are rich rusty-cinnamon, paler in females.
Red-breasted Nuthatches move quickly over trunks and branches probing for food in crevices and under flakes of bark. They creep up, down, and sideways without regard for which way is up, and they don’t lean against their tail the way woodpeckers do. Flight is short and bouncy.
Red-breasted Nuthatches are mainly birds of coniferous woods and mountains. Look for them among spruce, fir, pine, hemlock, larch, and western red cedar as well as around aspens and poplars. In northeastern North America you can also find them in forests of oak, hickory, maple, birch, and other deciduous trees.
Source: www.allaboutbirds.org
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
Though there’s nothing better than a juicy ripe pear for eating on its own, we thought we’d share some of our favorite pear recipes from some of our own kitchens. Pears add a delightful sweetness to winter soups and baked dishes. Enjoy!
BUTTERNUT SQUASH PEAR SOUP WITH SHERRY–This wonderful and easy soup comes from UW nutritionist Donna Weihofen and channel3000.com/entertainment/food. It’s among the tastiest squash soups we’ve shared over the years.
1 TBS. canola oil
2 cups chopped onions
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
8 cups fat-free chicken broth
2 pears, cored, peeled and cubed
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 x 12 oz. packages frozen butternut squash or 3 cups peeled and diced fresh butternut
1/2 tsp. white pepper (Donna’s secret ingredient in many recipes)
1/4 tsp. ground thyme
4 tsp. brown sugar
1 cup fat-free half and half or evaporated milk
1/2 cup sherry
salt and pepper to taste
Optional topping:
1 cup fat-free sour cream
4 TBS. orange liqueur or orange juice
2 tsp. honey
Heat the oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the onions and ginger and cook until the onions are translucent. Add the broth, pear, potato and squash and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the potatoes, pears and squash are tender. Add the white pepper, thyme, sugar, half and half and sherry. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup to the desired consistency. Heat through and season to taste. Serves 8 or about 16 cups.
For the topping, combine the ingredients and place in a squeeze bottle. Squeeze a swirl design on the top of each served bowl of soup.
PEAR SALAD WITH RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE–The raspberry vinaigrette used for this simple recipe is especially tasty!
4 cups mixed salad greens
2 pears, cored and sliced
1 cup seedless grapes of choice, halved
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Vinaigrette ingredients:
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup salad oil
1 1/2 TBS. sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Prepare the dressing by combining the raspberries and vinegar in a blender and blending 30 seconds until pureed. Seed can be seived out if desired but not necessary. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and whisk in the oil, sugar and cinnamon. Cover and chill at least one hour before serving.
For the salad, arrange the greens, pears and grapes in salad bowls and sprinkle with the nuts. Stir and pour some dressing over each salad. Serves 4.
CELERY PEAR SOUP–An especially easy soup recipe from the pages of Bon Appetit magazine.
4 1/2 TBS. butter
6 cups thinly slice celery plus the leaves, chopped (if any on the stalks)
3 ‘generous’ cups unpeeled Bartlett pears, diced
1 1/2 cups chopped leeks
3 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 1/2 TBS. flour
3 plus cups chicken broth
Melt the butter in a soup pot on medium high heat. Add the celery, pear, leeks, bay and thyme. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally for 8 minutes. Add the flour, then stir in the broth. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat and simmer until the celery is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and puree with an immersion blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper and heat through. Serve, garnished with the reserved leaves. Serves 6.
SQUASH, PEAR AND ONION AU GRATIN–A delicious belly-warmer from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.
1 1/2 lbs. peeled butternut squash in 1/2″ thick slices
1 large onion, sliced and separated into rings
1 TBS. butter
1 medium pear, peeled and thinly sliced
3 TBS. fine dry bread crumbs
3 slices, crisp-cooked, crumbled bacon
2 TBS. chopped walnuts
1 TBS. grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
1 TBS. melted butter
2 TBS. fresh parsley (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350º. Cook the onion rings in the 1 TBS. butter in a skillet until tender. Arrange half of the squash slices in the bottom of of an 8x8x2″ baking dish. Top with half of the pear slices. Repeat with the rest of the squash and pears. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Cover with the cooked onions. Bake, covered, about 45 minutes until nearly tender. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, bacon, walnuts, cheese and melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the vegetables and bake, uncovered, about 15 minutes more until tender. Top with parsley if desired. Serves 6.
SPINACH PEAR SALAD WITH MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE–From the November 2004 issue of Cooking Light magazine.
2 bosc pears, cored and thinly sliced
1 x 6 oz. package spinach leaves
3 TBS. water
2 TBS. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. sugar
5 tsp. olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. stone ground mustard
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
Parmesan
In a large bowl, toss together the pears and spinach. Whisk together the water, vinegar, sugar, oil, mustard, salt and pepper and drizzle over the salad. Toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.
NATURAL NEWS–
How To Have an Eco-Friendly Green Christmas Holiday
by Danny Lipford from Today’s Homeowner @ todayshomeowner.com/
Green is one of the traditional colors of the Christmas season, but the green we have in mind is the environmentally friendly kind. Here’s a list of some eco-friendly, energy saving tips that will put you at the top of Santa’s nice list this holiday season.
1. Use LED Lights
These small Light Emitting Diodes use 80% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, plus they’re cool to the touch. Look for the Energy Star seal for ones with the highest energy efficiency rating.
2. Limit Lighting
Turn Christmas trees on only when you’re in the room to enjoy them. Turn outside decorations off before you go to bed at night, or put them on a timer that will remember to do it for you.
3. Send E-Cards
Replace snail mail cards and letters with e-cards and e-mails to save paper and mailing expense. It also will reduce your carbon footprint since it eliminates the fuel used for transporting standard mail.
4. Shop Online
Rather than burning gas driving around searching for that perfect Christmas present, shop online instead. Having your gifts shipped directly to out of town recipients saves even more energy by minimizing transportation costs.
5. Give Green Gifts
Consider giving eco-friendly or homemade gifts to those on your shopping list. Purchased green presents include:
-Energy saving items
-Books on green living
-Bicycles
-Mass transit passes
-Gift certificates to health food stores or organic restaurants
-Membership in an organic farm or co-op
-Donations to organizations that support the environment
Homemade presents include:
-Baked goods and other food items
-Paintings and photographs
-Pottery and ceramics
-Sewing and knitting
-Handmade ornaments
-Woodworking projects
6. Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping
Here are some ways to reduce the waste from gift wrapping:
-Buy gift wrap made from recycled materials.
-Make your own gift wrap from cloth and other materials.
-Save wrapping paper from gifts you receive to use next year.
-Reuse boxes for shipping and gifts, rather than buying new ones.
-Recycle wrapping paper (if allowed by your recycling service) and boxes rather than throwing them away.
7. Green Christmas Tree
Visit a local Christmas tree farm and cut down your own tree. Not only is it a fun family activity, but it eliminates the transportation required for shipped trees. Try to find an organic tree farm that is pesticide free to reduce the toxins in your home.
An even greener option is to buy a live Christmas tree then plant it in your yard after the holidays are over.
8. Make Natural Decorations
Rather than buying plastic ornaments, wreaths, and decorations shipped from overseas, make your own from pine cones, holly, seashells, river stones, and evergreen branches. Christmas tree lots often will give away branches they’ve trimmed off the bottom of trees.
9. Recycle Decorations
After the holidays, but sure to recycle your Christmas tree and other natural decorations rather than sending them to the landfill.
10. Reduce Travel
Between shopping, trips to visit relatives, and the flurry of parties and other activities, the holiday season often involves a lot of travel, which in turn adds more pollutants to the atmosphere. Every gallon of gasoline used by your car releases 19.4 pounds of CO2, and air travel is equally bad. So if you really want to go green, consider limiting your travel plans this year.
11. Save Energy
While saving energy is a good idea anytime of year, it’s especially important to address during the holidays with a long winter ahead. Here are some ways to reduce your energy bills while helping the environment at the same time:
Fireplace: While Christmas is all about sipping eggnog while gathered around a fire, your fireplace may actually draw more heat out of your house than it produces, not to mention the pollution released by the smoke. So consider limiting your fireplace use this year, and be sure to close the damper once the fire is completely out. (Or replace your wood fireplace with an energy efficient insert.)
Thermostat: Turn down your thermostat when you’re asleep or not at home, or install a programmable thermostat to do it for you.
Lighting: Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs to reduce your lighting bill immensely.
Insulation: Adding insulation to your attic is the best way to reduce your heating and air conditioning bills. Depending on the R-value of your insulation and where you live, you should have 12″-15″ or more of insulation in your attic.
DECEMBER’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica)
The coffee plant is a large and easy-to-care-for foliage plant that adds drama and elegance to any bright indoor setting.
The coffee plant (Coffea arabica) is grown for its glossy, dark green leaves. The clusters of star-shaped, fragrant, white flowers and red berries, which contain the coffee beans, are rarely seen on indoor potted plants or can take several years before they are produced. The coffee plant is a native to eastern tropical Africa. Water plants liberally in the summer and sparingly in the winter. Adequate humidity is also important. Leaves brown easily if the air is too dry.
Coffee plants love to spend the summer outdoors in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much sun can burn the plant. Moving the plant outdoors in the summer increases the chances of it flowering and setting fruit. Plants are very long lived and can grow rather large, but can be pruned to shape regularly. Plants should be repotted into a larger pot each spring in any rich, peat based potting mix.
Coffee plants are usually available year round in 3″ and 4″ pots. Klein’s also currently has 3 foot specimens available in a larger size.
AROUND TOWN:
For neighborhood events or garden tours that you would like posted in our monthly newsletter, please contact Rick at (608) 244-5661 or rick@kleinsfloral.com. Please include all details, i.e. dates, locations, prices, brief description, etc. Events must be garden related and must take place in the Madison vicinity and we must receive your information by the first of the month in which the event takes place for it to appear in that month’s newsletter.
Rotary Botanical Gardens’ Holiday Light Show
December 1-4, 8-11, 15-23 and December 26-30
This year’s dazzling after-dark walk on the Gardens’ paths features more than ONE MILLION lights, themed light displays and animations for a family-friendly outdoor activity.
Doors open 4:30 pm. Last ticket sold 8:30 pm.
Details and ticket information will appear on our website in the weeks ahead.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
608/752-3885 or www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/
Olbrich Garden’s Holiday Express:
Flower & Model Train Show
December 3 thru December 31
The poinsettias are blooming and the trains are back on track. All aboard the Holiday Express!
Enjoy large-scale model trains chugging through a festive scene overflowing with hundreds of poinsettias and fresh evergreens. Each year, Olbrich’s horticulturists design and carefully construct a unique environment for visitors to explore. The 2022 Holiday Express will feature a carnival theme.
During the show, members of the Wisconsin Garden Railway Society come from all over the state to show off their large-scale model trains. Depending on the day, you might see a bullet train, steam train, Santa train, circus train, or freight train.
Admission for Olbrich Botanical Society members is free. Admission to Olbrich’s Holiday Express for the general public is $8 for adults, and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free. Admission to the tropical Bolz Conservatory is included.
Olbrich’s Holiday Express is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Olbrich will close at 2 p.m. on December 24, and will be closed all day on December 25.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
DIY Wreath Making with Allen Centennial Garden
Saturday, December 3, 10:00-11:30 and 1:00-2:30
D.C. Smith Greenhouse, 465 Babcock Dr., Madison
We will provide you with a variety of evergreen boughs, accent branches, a wire wreath frame, and additional wire.
The in-person option will include plenty of support from our staff! The workshop has two sessions on December 3nd. Register for a specific pick up window on Eventbrite.
Cost is $35
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr. on the University of WI campus, Madison
608/576-2501 or allencentennialgarden.org for details.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, December 4, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Walks take place rain or shine, except in unsafe weather. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Holiday Concert Series at Olbrich Gardens
Celebrate the season and enjoy festive holiday music with a concert in the Evjue Commons!
Concerts are at 2 p.m. (1:30 on 12/4) each Sunday in early December. Suggested donation is $5.
December 4
Paran Amirinazari & Eric Tran—Join forces to give a violin + piano recital featuring music of Brahms, Beach, and Tran (world premiere). Please note that this performance begins @ 1:30.
December 11
Michael Darling—An artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer based in Madison, WI. Compared to a wide range of artists such as Harry Styles, James Taylor, Perfume Genius, and Father John Misty, he blends elements of indie pop, folk rock, and jazz
December 18
Betsy Ezell Trio—Brings you an afternoon of festive holiday jazz, including your favorite standards and original tunes by each member of the trio.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Full Moon Night Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, December 10, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Walk
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led walk (full moon December 8). Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, December 11, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Looking for Winter Birds @ the Arboretum
Sunday, December 11, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Family Nature Program
This walk is a fun and fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk: 1–2 p.m., nature activities: 2–3 p.m. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, December 18, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
New Year’s Eve Night Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, December 31, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Walk
Join us for a naturalist-led trail walk and a peaceful welcome to the New Year. We recommend warm layers and boots. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Meet outside the Visitor Center. Capacity limited, free registration required through Eventbrite: https://uw-madison-arboretum-nye-night-walk-2022.eventbrite.com. (The Visitor Center will not be open during this event. Portable toilets are available.)
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, January 1, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Walk
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Dane County Holiday Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, December 3 and December 17, 7:30-noon
Monona Terrace
The Holiday Dane County Farmer’s Market is located in the majestic Monona Terrace. This bustling market features more than 60 vendors and is your one-stop shop for all of your local food needs for the holidays!
For details visit www.dcfm.org
Dane County Late Winter Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, January 7 thru April 8, 8:00-noon
The Garver Feed Mill behind Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3241 Garver Green (access off Fair Oaks Ave.)
The Late Winter Market runs each Saturday from January 7th until the beginning of the outdoor season. Get your market fix all year long. You will still find many of your favorite Dane County Farmers’ Market members, as well as a full array of fruits and vegetables, cheeses, hyper-local meats, honey, bakery items, and many specialty items.
For details visit www.dcfm.org
DECEMBER IN THE GARDEN-–A checklist of things to do this month.
___Mulch perennials to protect from the cold and prevent heaving.
___Purchase marsh hay and rose protection. Wait till the ground freezes.
___Mulch roses by mounding soil and wrapping, rather than using rose cones.
___Keep bird feeders full. Clean periodically with soap and water.
___Make water available to the birds. Begin using a deicer as needed.
___Plant bulbs for forcing and put in a cool location for 10-12 weeks.
___Plant bulbs until the ground freezes.
___Prep lawnmower for winter storage and snowblower for weather to come.
___Mark driveways and sidewalks with stakes.
___Finish garden cleanup to make spring easier and prevent pests.
___Do any last minute raking to prevent smothering delicate plants or beds.
___Spread fireplace ashes over beds to amend the soil.
___Make sure clay pots are stored inside and dry to prevent cracking.
___Place your used Christmas tree in the garden for added wildlife protection.
___Have trees trimmed–it’s often times cheaper and easier to schedule.
___Inspect stored summer bulbs like dahlias, cannas and glads for rotting.
___Stop feeding houseplants and cut back on watering.
___Inventory last year’s leftover seeds before ordering new ones.
___Make notes in your garden journal for changes, improvements, etc.
___Wrap trunks of susceptible trees to protect from rodents.
___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:
For seeds:
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
For bulbs:
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
For plants:
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
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.
IN DECEMBER:
—We’re prepping the hundreds of poinsettias and holiday plants that go out for orders each day. After choosing the most gorgeous plants, we need to foil, bow and sleeve each order before loading into our vans for delivery to Madison’s homes, businesses and churches.
—Tropicals for next summer sale continue to arrive. Our tropicals (such as bougainvilleas, cordyline, bananas, colocasia, alocasia, etc.) arrive now so we are able to get the best selection and are able to offer you substantial sized plants next summer.
PERMANENT FEATURES–
KLEIN’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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.
THE MAD GARDENER–“Madison’s Firsthand Source for Expert Gardening Advice”
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.
TO WRITE A REVIEW OF KLEIN’S, PLEASE LINK TO
FACEBOOK
Follow Klein’s on Facebook where we post updates and photos on a regular basis.
TWITTER
Join Klein’s on Twitter where we post company updates and photos on a regular basis.
SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT
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.
RECYCLING POTS & TRAYS
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
DELIVERY INFO
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
RELATED RESOURCES AND WEB SITES
University of Wisconsin Extension
1 Fen Oak Ct. #138
Madison, WI 53718
608/224-3700
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
608/262-4364
American Horticultural Society
Garden Catalogs (an extensive list with links)
Invasive Species
Community Groundworks
3601 Memorial Dr., Ste. 4
Madison, WI 53704
608/240-0409
Madison Area Master Gardeners (MAMGA)
Wisconsin Master Gardeners Program
Department of Horticulture
1575 Linden Drive
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, WI 53706
608/265-4504
The Wisconsin Gardener
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
608/262-8406
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/246-4550
Rotary Gardens
1455 Palmer Dr.
Janesville, WI 53545
608/752-3885
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888
University of Wisconsin-West Madison
Agricultural Research Center
8502 Mineral Point Rd.
Verona, WI 53593
608/262-2257
PLANTS POISONOUS TO CHILDREN:
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
PLANTS POISONOUS TO PETS:
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