‘THE SAGE’-Klein’s Online Newsletter—JANUARY 2024
Klein’s Floral & Greenhouses
3758 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
608/244-5661 or info@kleinsfloral.com
THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS:
Houseplant Happy Hour: Fridays thru January 26, 4:00-6:00
January Yoga/Workout Classes at Klein’s
Warming Moves Madison To Hardiness Zone 5b
Our ‘Mad Gardener‘ and ‘Houseplant Help‘ Are Ready for Your Questions
Now Available: Fresh Windowsill Herbs in 5″Pots
Flowers and Religion
Poinsettia’s Name Under Scrutiny
Klein’s Favorite Seed, Bulb & Plant Sources
You Asked About Correctly Watering a Peace Lily
Plant of the Month: Brazil Philodendron
Klein’s Favorite Orange Recipes
Product Spotlight: Klein’s 2024 Spring Seed Collection
Notes from Rick’s Garden Journal—From December 2023
—About Reversion in Plants
—Tap Water and Houseplants
—Pinching Overwintered Cuttings
January in the Garden: A Planner
Gardening Events Around Town
Join Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
HOUSEPLANT HAPPY HOUR @ KLEIN’S
Please join us for Houseplant Happy Hour on Fridays, from January 5 thru January 26, 4:00-6:00 p.m. with 20% Off All Houseplants!
Please note that our potting table and free potting service will not be available during this event.
Delivery is not available for plants purchased during Houseplant Happy Hour and must be taken at the time of purchase.
JANUARY YOGA AND WORKOUT CLASSES
Join us for yoga/workout at Klein’s during the month of January. Nothing is more beautiful than being in our cozy and warm greenhouses on a sunny and bitter cold winter morning. We are offering a variety of class options with a variety of instructors throughout the month. See our January calendar @ Events Calendar for info, dates and times or visit our Facebook page for all upcoming events at Klein’s.
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.
JANUARY STORE HOURS:
Monday thru Friday : 9:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-5:00
Sunday: 10:00-4:00
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
January 1–New Year’s Day. The store is closed. HAPPY 2024!
January 5–Houseplant Happy Hour @ Klein’s, 4:00-6:00
January 6–Yoga in the Greenhouse, 8:00-9:00. Visit our website or Facebook Page for details.
January 7–Orthodox Christmas
January 7–Barre District Madison @ Klein’s, 8:00-9:00. Visit our website or Facebook Page page for details.
January 10–National Houseplant Appreciation Day
January 12–Houseplant Happy Hour @ Klein’s, 4:00-6:00
January 13–Yoga in the Greenhouse, 8:00-9:00. Visit our website or Facebook Page for details.
January 14–Orthodox New Year
January 14–Yoga in the Greenhouse, 9:00-10:00. Visit our website or Facebook Page for details.
January 19–Houseplant Happy Hour @ Klein’s, 4:00-6:00
January 20–Yoga in the Greenhouse, 8:00-9:00. Visit our website or Facebook Page for details.
January 21–Barre District Madison @ Klein’s, 8:00-9:00. Visit our website or Facebook Page page for details.
Mid-January–Seeds begin arriving for retail sale. Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about spring planting. Klein’s carries an extensive seed selection from Seed Savers, Botanical Interests, Livingston, Olds and Hudson Valley Seeds.
January 15–Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 25–Full Moon
January 26–Houseplant Happy Hour @ Klein’s, 4:00-6:00
January 27–Yoga in the Greenhouse, 8:00-9:00. Visit our website or Facebook Page for details.
January 28–Yoga in the Greenhouse, 9:00-10:00. Visit our website or Facebook Page for details.
Throughout January–Have you ever thought about working at a garden center? Perhaps now’s the time to explore the possibility.
January is the perfect time to stop in and and pick up an application or fill it out online @ kleinsfloral.com/employment/. By early March we try to have most of our hiring in place for the upcoming spring.
We’re always in need of temporary, part-time counter help in the spring and greenhouse production swings into gear during March. If you’re interested, ask for Sue about retail positions or Michael for the greenhouse. Benefits include flexible hours, a generous discount on all purchases and a stimulating and fun work environment. Join our team and experience first hand how we make the magic happen.
February 9-11—PBS Wisconsin’s Garden and Landscape Expo at the Alliant Energy Center. One, Two and Three Day Tickets are now available at Klein’s. 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.
‘THE FLOWER SHOPPE’:
Flowers & Religion
—Flowers And Christianity
The archetypal flower symbolizing purity is the white Madonna lily (Lilium candidum). The association of the flower with the Virgin Mary dates to early Christianity, an apparent legend, according to which her tomb was filled with lilies after her assumption into heaven. Religious commentators, including the Venerable Bede, explained that the white petals represented her spotless body and the golden stamens, her glowing soul. This mystic flower appeared most often in paintings of the Annunciation, representing the moment when the Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin that she would bear God’s son. A white lily was placed in a vase in the foreground of the scene, or held by the Angel, and sometimes a small enclosed garden known as the hortus conclusus reinforced the message of virginity. This type of devotional painting influenced other scenes of the Virgin and Child with saints, also set in gardens with lilies and other flowers. Other white, lily-like flowers reflected this meaning, especially lily-of-the-valley, leucojum and snowdrops, or white flowers with golden centers like roses and daisies.
The rose flower is used in Italy all through the month of May. Everyone who can secure roses, places them in his oratory or on a table. Both red and white roses have been emblematic of the Virgin since very early times, and were dedicated to Venus before that. When St. Dominic instituted the devotion of the Rosary, he recognized this symbolism and indicated the separate prayers as tiny Roses. May – the Month of May or Madonna’s Month – was originally linked to Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and of spring. Further, the five petals of a rose flower are believed to represent Christ´s wounds – white was the color of purity and red, that of his sacrificial blood.
—Flowers And Hinduism
Both in worship and in portrayals of the divine, Hindus are infatuated with flowers. The very name of the Hindu worship ritual, puja, can be translated as “the flower act.”
The lotus is the foremost symbol of beauty, prosperity and fertility. According to Hinduism, within each human inhabiting the earth there is the spirit of the sacred Lotus. It represents eternity, purity and divinity and is widely used as a symbol of life, fertility, ever-renewing youth and describes feminine beauty, especially the eyes.
One of the most common metaphysical analogies compares the Lotus´ perennial rise to faultless beauty from a miry environment to the evolution of man’s consciousness – from instinctive impulses to spiritual liberation. In the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text, man is adjured to be like the Lotus – he should work without attachment, dedicating his actions to God, untouched by sin like water on a Lotus leaf and the beautiful flower standing high above the mud and water. In the postures of Hatha Yoga, a major branch of Yoga, the lotus position, padmasana, is adopted by those striving to reach the highest level of consciousness, which itself is found in the thousand-petaled lotus chakra at the top of the head.
—Flowers And Islam
Not much religious use of flowers is seen among Muslims except on occasions like marriages and funerals. On the day of the wedding the groom leads his family to the bride’s home. Upon arrival at the bride´s place, the bride’s sisters welcome the groom’s party by playfully hitting them with a stick wrapped around flowers. The groom may wear a special head-dress of flowers for the wedding.
—Flowers And Buddhism
For the Buddhists, Lotus symbolizes the most exalted state of man – his head held high, pure and undefiled in the sun, his feet rooted in the world of experience. For the Buddhist, the Lotus flower symbolizes the Buddha. In Bodh Gaya, in Northern India where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, there is a raised platform, which is a part of the Mahabodhi temple complex. This is called the Jewel Promenade Shrine. This structure marks the place where the Buddha is supposed to have paced to and fro in meditation. Legend has it that wherever he stepped, a Lotus flower (a symbol of knowledge) sprang up and this is depicted through the 18 lotus flowers carved on the platform.
About a mile south of the Mahabodhi Temple, was a dry pond called Mucalinda tank where the Buddha was supposed to have spent his sixth week after enlightenment. It is now a large pond filled with Lotuses. In most of the Buddhist art depictions the lotus flower symbolizes the Buddha.
—Flowers And Chinese Religions
In Taoism and such other Chinese folk religions flowers do not just represent beauty, but are also the symbols of life, happiness, and fertility. In Chinese culture, white flowers are the symbol of death and used only in funerals. The meaning of red in Chinese weddings is deep and powerful. Red is the symbol of love, joy, prosperity, happiness and ultimate joy in Chinese culture. The bride’s wedding gown, the wedding invitations and wedding gift boxes or envelopes for cash gifts are all in red.
Flowers like Peonies, Orchids, Lotus and Daffodils are widely used in Chinese weddings. For the Chinese, Peony flower is a symbol of spring and renewed life. Orchid is the Chinese symbol of love and fertility, a perfect token for weddings. For the Chinese, the Lotus flower represents four virtues in the Buddhist religion (scent, purity, softness, and loveliness). Narcissus flower symbolizes spring, representing change and end of hibernation, and are perfect for spring weddings. Other common names of this joyful flower are Daffodil and Jonquil.
—Use of Flowers in Other Religions
Although there are no specific religious Flowers in most of the other religions, flowers are nevertheless used in various religious ritual performances. Particularly, flowers are common in almost all the wedding ceremonies. Flowers are also used in all the funeral observances except in Judaism. Indeed, there is even evidence indicating the use of flowers during funerals by the Neanderthals who inhabited Europe and parts of western Asia about 230,000 years ago.
Source: The Flower Experts @ http://www.flowerexperts.com/
YOU ASKED. . .
I recently bought a large peace lily and want to make sure I am watering it correctly. I give it 1 quart of water each Monday. The water runs out the bottom.
The pot is 13-14″ across the top? Am I over watering? Also, how often should I feed it? Gayle
Hi Gayle,
It’s best to not water your houseplants on a schedule and with a fixed amount of water. By doing so, you are potentially either over or under-watering over the long term. As a rule, you should only water when the soil is dry to the touch a half inch below the soil surface and then deep water….and that could be more than a quart of water….or less than a quart for your peace lily. During the winter months plants are generally watered less than during the summer months when they are actively growing. The amount of water should change somewhat seasonally.
Every plant has different watering needs. Soil type, location in the home, light levels, temperature and humidity are all variables in determining when and how much to water.
Peace lilies like to be consistently moist, but never soggy. The water should run through and into the saucer. Empty the saucer of any standing water once the plant has reabsorbed any water back into the rootball. This helps ensure that the water is not just running around the root-filled rootball.
Houseplants should not be fed during the dark winter months from November through February. The rest of the year, fertilize per package instructions for indoor plants (usually 1/3 to 1/2 the rate the amount for outdoor plants).
Thanks for your question,
DID YOU KNOW. . .
. . . that the public is reassessing the Poinsettia name?
Poinsettia’s Name Under Scrutiny
By Manuel Balce Ceneta for the AP
Like Christmas trees, Santa and reindeer, the poinsettia has long been a ubiquitous symbol of the holiday season in the U.S. and across Europe.
But now, nearly 200 years after the plant with the bright crimson leaves was introduced in the U.S., attention is once again turning to the poinsettia’s origins and the checkered history of its namesake, a slaveowner and lawmaker who played a part in the forced removal of Native Americans from their land. Some people would now rather call the plant by the name of its Indigenous origin in southern Mexico.
Some things to know:
Where did the name come from?
The name comes from the amateur botanist and statesman Joel Roberts Poinsett, who happened upon the plant in 1828 during his tenure as the first U.S. minister to the newly independent Mexico.
Poinsett, who was interested in science as well as potential cash crops, sent clippings of the plant to his home in South Carolina and to a botanist in Philadelphia, who affixed the eponymous name to the plant in gratitude.
A life-size bronze statue of Poinsett still stands in his honor in downtown Greenville, South Carolina.
However, he was cast out of Mexico within a year of his discovery, having earned a local reputation for intrusive political maneuvering that extended to a network of secretive masonic lodges and schemes to contain British influence.
Is the poinsettia name losing its luster?
As more people learn of its namesake’s complicated history, the name “poinsettia” has become less attractive in the United States.
Unvarnished published accounts reveal Poinsett as a disruptive advocate for business interests abroad, a slaveholder on a rice plantation in the U.S., and a secretary of war who helped oversee the forced removal of Native Americans, including the westward relocation of Cherokee populations to Oklahoma known as the Trail of Tears.”
In a new biography titled “Flowers, Guns and Money,” historian Lindsay Schakenbach Regele describes the cosmopolitan Poinsett as a political and economic pragmatist who conspired with a Chilean independence leader and colluded with British bankers in Mexico. Though he was a slaveowner, he opposed secession, and he didn’t live to see the Civil War.
Christmas flower of many names
The cultivation of the plant dates back to the Aztec empire in Mexico 500 years ago.
Among Nahuatl-speaking communities of Mexico, the plant is known as the cuetlaxochitl (kwet-la-SHOsheet), meaning “flower that withers.” It’s an apt descrip-tion of the thin red leaves on wild varieties of the plant that grow to heights above 10 feet.
Year-end holiday markets in Latin America brim with the potted plant known in Spanish as the “flor de Nochebuena,” or “flower of Christmas Eve,” which is entwined with celebrations of the night before Christmas. The “Nochebuena” name is traced to early Franciscan friars who arrived from Spain in the 16th century. Spaniards once called it “scarlet cloth.”
Additional nicknames abound: “Santa Catarina” in Mexico, “estrella federal,” or “federal star,” in Argentina and “penacho de Incan,” or “headdress,” in Peru.
Ascribed in the 19th century, the Latin name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, means “the most beautiful” of a diverse genus with a milky sap of latex.
So what is the preferred name?
“Cuetaxochitl” is winning over some enthusiasts among Mexican youths, including the diaspora in the U.S., according to Elena Jackson Albarrán, a professor of Mexican history and global and intercultural studies at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
“I’ve seen a trend towards people openly saying: ‘Don’t call this flower either poinsettia or Nochebuena. It’s cuetlaxochitl,'” said Jackson Albarrán. “There’s going to be a big cohort of people who are like, ‘Who cares?'”
Most ordinary people in Mexico never say “poinsettia” and don’t talk about Poinsett, according to Laura Trejo, a Mexican biologist who is leading studies on the genetic history of the U.S. poinsettia.
“I feel like it’s only the historians, the diplomats and, well, the politicians who know the history of Poinsett,” Trejo said.
The Mexican roots of U.S. poinsettias
Mexican biologists in recent years have traced the genetic stock of U.S. poinsettia plants to a wild variant in the Pacific coastal state of Guerrero, verifying lore about Poinsett’s pivotal encounter there.
The flower still grows wild along Mexico’s Pacific Coast and parts of Central America as far as Costa Rica.
Trejo, of the National Council of Science and Technology in the central state of Tlaxcala, said some informal outdoor markets still sell the “sun cuetlaxochitl” that resemble wild varieties, alongside modern patented varieties.
In her field research travels, Trejo has found households that preserve ancient traditions associated with the flower.
“It’s clear to us that this plant, since the pre-Hispanic era, is a ceremonial plant, an offering, because it’s still in our culture, in the interior of the county, to cut the flowers and take them to the altars,” she said in Spanish. “And this is primarily associated with the maternal goddesses: with Coatlicue, Tonantzin and now with the Virgin Mary.”
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.
Seeds Available at Klein’s Spring 2024
We at Klein’s see the light at the end of the very long tunnel called winter, once our showrooms have been emptied of all holiday merchandise and the seed racks for the upcoming growing season begin to arrive throughout January. Madisonians are passionate about home seed starting and we are happy to offer such a broad selection to satisfy their needs. For hard-to-find and less common seed varieties, please check out our list of favorite seed sources in this newsletter.
Botanical Interests High Quality Seed
At Botanical Interests our goal is to inspire and educate the gardener in you. That is why, since 1995 we have been supplying gardeners with the highest quality seed in the most beautiful and informative seed packets on the market. Today, you can find Botanical Interests seeds available at independent garden centers, hardware stores, and gourmet grocers throughout the United States. We enthusiastically signed the SAFE SEED PLEDGE: We do not knowingly buy, sell or trade genetically engineered seeds or plants.
Seed Savers Exchange Seed
Seed Savers Exchange was founded in Missouri in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy. Diane’s grandfather entrusted to them the seeds of two garden plants, ‘Grandpa Ott’s’ morning glory and ‘German Pink’ tomato. These seeds, brought by Grandpa Ott’s parents from Bavaria when they immigrated to Iowa in the 1870s, became the first two varieties in the collection. Diane and Kent went on to form a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds. Today, with 13,000 members and 20,000 plant varieties, Seed Savers Exchange makes its home on 890 scenic acres in near Decorah, Iowa, at Heritage Farm.
Olds Garden Seed and Olds Organic Garden Seed
Olds Garden Seed is only sold through independent garden retailers nationwide. Olds is not sold by ‘big box’ stores or discount chains. While several retailers may offer our products on their web sites, we do not sell retail via the Internet or mail order. The Olds’ brand dates to 1888, when Levitt Lincoln Olds founded the L.L. Olds Seed Co. at Clinton, Wisconsin. Through the years, Olds became known for selling only the finest quality seed of better varieties, whether selling alfalfa and seed potatoes for Wisconsin farms or garden seed through a mail order catalog for over 100 years.
Livingston Seed
Livingston Seed is a wholesale company, selling only to the trade. We have done the research to find out what our consumers are looking for in a seed company. Our packets are designed to fill these needs. Each packet showcases beautiful photographs shot in our own trial garden. Every packet contains easy to read, helpful information. Our packets are truly unique and designed with your customer in mind. Our patented window in our Bonus Packs allows customers to actually see the seed!
At Livingston Seed we make it a priority to be the value leader in the industry. We offer more seed in our packets at a lower price value than any other company. We are committed to independent businesses and do not sell to the “big box” stores.
Livingston Seed Company states that all varieties offered for sale do not contain any Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s). We provide seeds that are developed using traditional breeding techniques and have not undergone any genetic transformation.
NOTES FROM MY GARDEN JOURNAL–Tips and Observations from My Own Garden by Rick Halbach
ENTRY: DECEMBER 9, 2023 (About Reversion in Plants)
While watering houseplants today at Klein’s, I noticed that a large portion of one of our ‘Birkin’ philodendrens looked completely different than the rest of the plant. The leaves have none white variegation that makes ‘Birkin’ famous and the leaves and stems are reddish rather than green. Though beautiful and unique, this is not what the plant breeder had intended. This transformation in is called ‘reversion’—a return to a previous state. In plants, this means it is returning to its origins; essentially losing the desirable trait or mutation that had been bred into it. Curious, I later read that it’s believed that the variety ‘Rojo Congo’ is the parent plant from which the original white ‘Birkin’ mutation occurred.
Reversion is most commonly seen in green plants with variegated (white or gold patterned) leaves. Oftentimes one branch or shoot will revert back to its original green color. Reversion is a survival technique. Plain green leaves contain more chlorophyll than the variegated ones. Those branches are more vigorous than the variegated ones and can (and most often do) take over the plant over time. A once variegated plant takes on the traits of its ancestors and becomes green again. The stability of variegation depends on the type of plant can be affected by outside forces (i.e. growing conditions, stress, etc.)
Variegated plants are generally selected from a sport, or mutation, of a pure green plant. The variegated part is then propagated by cuttings, grafting or division to retain its features. However, the mutations within these plants are not always stable and can be prone to ‘reverting’ back to pure green shoots. Virus infections can cause a form of variegation. Very few variegated plants can be raised from seed as reversion is usually a growth disorder and not a genetic one.
Reverted shoots should be removed as soon as they are noticed since the all-green shoots are typically more hardy and vigorous and they can quickly overtake the variegated plant. Prune the all-green shoot back to a branch or stem that contains variegated growth and continue to monitor the plant for any additional reverted branches.
Source: www.rhs.org.uk
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ENTRY: DECEMBER 10, 2023 (Tap Water and Houseplants)
Just like animals, plants thrive best without added chemicals in their water supply. And though the concentration of chlorine in most city tap water may be low enough to not cause significant damage in most plants, we can give them chemical free alternatives.
Store bought distilled water (or water from a dehumidifier) is one choice. Another alternative is collected rainwater and/or melted snow. Well-water is also, as a rule, chemical-free if one lives in a rural setting. And chlorine is easily removed from city tap water by allowing it to sit in an open container or watering can for at least 24 hours. Over time, the chlorine dissipates into the air. People who have aquarium fish are already familiar with this simple trick. Allowing the water to sit a while also brings the water up to room temperature (tap water from the faucet is about 50º), thereby eliminating shock to the roots.
A few ‘winter watering’ tips:
Be careful not to overwater plants during these short winter days. Water most houseplants only once dry to the touch a little below the soil surface. DO NOT water your houseplants on a set schedule. This is probably the most common mistake. Many plants can go for weeks without watering this time of the year. Each type of plant has different needs and a plant’s environment oftentimes dictates when the plant needs to be watered (amount of sunlight, humidity, pot size, soil type, etc.). When watering, water thoroughly, but do not allow plants to sit in a saucer of water. Humidity during the winter months can be quite low in most people’s homes (hence browning leaf tips on many houseplants during the winter). Misting will help those plants that prefer more humid conditions. Keep succulents and cactus VERY dry during the winter. They are extremely susceptible to rot during the winter months. Cool and dry conditions also promotes flowering in many succulents.
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ENTRY: DECEMBER 26, 2023 (Pinching Overwintered Cuttings)
With the passing of Christmas and all of the holiday get togethers, I look forward to the arrival of seed catalogs and lengthening days. One annual task I perform during the week after Christmas is to pinch back my overwintered cuttings in the basement. This is the first time they’ve been pruned since placed in the basement in late September. I wait as long as I possibly can before I make this first pinch, thereby reducing the number of subsequent pinchings before I’m able to move them outdoors in early May. Many of the coleus, geraniums and salvia have grown up and around the fluorescent tubes above them. Branching increases with each pinch. But with the low light levels and cool temperatures in the basement, increased branching this early in winter isn’t a positive. Increased branching means more competition for the closely spaced plants and the little light available. Growth becomes increasingly spindly as each branch reaches for the light. After this pinch, I’ll allow them to grow unchecked until the second and final pinch during March. Plants will be stocky and well-branched with little spindly growth when I move them outdoors next spring. This is a perfect example of where less is more.
KLEIN’S RECIPES OF THE MONTH—These are a selection of relatively simple recipes chosen by our staff. New recipes appear monthly. Enjoy!!
It’s not uncommon to receive gift boxes of fresh citrus during the holiday season. Citrus production is at its peak during mid-winter. Boxes often contain a mix of citrus; including grapefruit, lemons, limes and a bounty of oranges. As we all know, citrus is a good source for vitamin C, which is valuable for warding off colds and other ailments. The following are some of Klein’s favorite recipes using fresh oranges.
ORANGE ROASTED SALMON–This flawless salmon recipe appeared sometime in the 1990’s in the Parade section to the Sunday newspaper.
2 TBS. olive oil
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
finely mince zest of one orange
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. dried tarragon
salt and coarse ground pepper to taste
24-30 oz. skin-on salmon fillets (not salmon steaks)
2 tsp. minced chives (optional)
In a bowl combine the olive oil, orange juice, zest, tarragon, salt and pepper. Pour the marinade into a shallow glass dish. Add the salmon fillets to the marinade. Turn to coat. Allow the salmon to marinate 1 hour at room temperature, turning a few times to make sure well coated. Preheat the oven to 475º. Place the fillets skin side down in a shallow glass baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray. Bake about 15 minutes. Pour and evenly spread the remaining marinade over the fillets and bake about 10 minutes more, checking for doneness until flaky and cooked through. Sprinkle with chives and serve.
ORANGE SPINACH SALAD WITH HONEY ORANGE DRESSING–A lovely green salad from the Wisconsin State Journal, May 2000.
2 cups orange segments
1 cup peeled, seeded and sliced cucumber
10 cups fresh spinach
2 TBS. fresh chopped mint
1 cup shredded mozzarella
Dressing:
4 TBS. fresh orange juice
2 TBS. water
1 TBS. cider vinegar
1 TBS. honey
2 TBS. vegetable oil
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
In a large bowl, combine the orange juice, water, vinegar, honey, oil and pepper. Mix well. Add the orange slices and the cucumbers and allow to marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature. Toss in the spinach, mint and cheese and serve immediately. Serves 8.
ORANGE CHUTNEY FOR PORK CHOPS–Something unique to perk up your favorite pan-fried, baked or grilled pork chops from the pages of Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food.
2 TBS. fresh orange zest
2 cups thinly sliced orange
1/3 cup sugar
coarse salt to taste
2 TBS. water
1/4 cup dried cherries
1 very small minced onion
1 TBS, red wine vinegar
In a saucepan, mix together the zest, orange, sugar, salt, water, cherries and onion. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally until the oranges collapse and the liquid becomes syrupy, about 12-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Serve with cooked pork chops. Makes about 1 cup.
SPICY ORANGE CHICKEN–From Better Homes & Gardens magazine.
3-3 1/2 skinned, bone-in chicken breasts
2 TBS. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 large red bell pepper, cut into bite sized strips
4 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp. fresh orange zest
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup hot salsa
1 x 14.5 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
In a 4 qt. Dutch oven or very large skillet, cook the chicken in batches in hot oil until evenly browned. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and set aside. Add the onion, red pepper and garlic to the pan and cook over medium heat until just tender. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the zest, orange juice, broth and salsa and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and allow to simmer 45 minutes. Add the beans and heat through. Transfer to a serving dish. Serves 8.
ORANGE MOCHA–A belly-warming treat from an issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.
1 orange
5 cups hot, strongly brewed coffee
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup whipping cream or half & half
Using a peeler, remove the peel from the orange in strips. In a large saucepan, combine the orange peel and the coffee. Allow to steep over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Remove and set aside the orange peel. In a bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugar and cinnamon. Stir in the cream and, if desired, froth with a handheld immersion blender. Ladle the coffee into mugs and top with the cream mixture and the orange peels. Serves 6.
NATURAL NEWS–
Warming Moves Madison To New Zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Map
By Lucas Robinson at https://madison.com/
Higher average temperatures during the past 30 years have changed part of Dane
County’s “plant hardiness” zone, according to new data from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. The USDA’s map effectively tells those interested in planting the average
extreme minimum temperature they can expect in a given area.
For Madison and most of the eastern half of Dane County, that figure now sits at
between minus 15 and minus 10 degrees, or zone “5b.” When the USDA released its
last map, in 2012, all of Dane County had average extremes of minus 20 to minus 15
degrees, or zone “5a.”
Practically speaking, though, local gardeners already have adapted to those changes,
planting earlier in the spring and later in the fall, said Nicholas Leete, the gardens
network director for Rooted, a community gardening nonprofit in Madison.
Garlic, for example, is getting planted later in the fall because of higher soil
temperatures, Leete said. Fruits such as peaches and paw paws might be viable now,
too, whereas peas and lettuce might be more challenging to grow if it gets hot too
quickly in the spring.
“I think this shift in hardiness zones, though welcome for the above reasons, is another
indicator of climate change, which in general makes weather patterns harder to predict
and plan for,” he said.
The map relies on averages and doesn’t always reflect microclimates, precipitation and
what might be wrought by extreme weather.
“We’re getting warmer and wetter, and a lot of that precipitation is happening in the
winter,” said Lisa Johnson, a horticulture outreach specialist with UW Extension in
Dane County. “That I think is really causing farmers more issues. If you have deeper
snow cover or it’s rainier in spring, then you can’t get out into the fields.”
Beyond Madison, zone changes were registered throughout Wisconsin. Parts of the
Lake Michigan coast near Milwaukee were warmer as well as parts of the far northwest
of the state.
It’s not just Madison and Wisconsin seeing changes in their zone, either. Half of the
United States saw its zone change with the new map, something that’s “really
remarkable,” said Jonathan Martin, a professor in atmospheric and oceanic sciences at
UW-Madison.
“That means effectively half the country has experienced enough warming in the last 30
years to affect where the plant hardiness sits for that location,” Martin said. “It may not
be all climate change. But the fact that half the country’s rising to another half zone at
least really does reflect the ongoing change that’s going on across the globe.”
JANUARY’S PLANT OF THE MONTH:
PHILODENDRON ‘BRAZIL’
Philodendron ‘Brazil’ is a yellow variegated cultivar of Philodendron hederaceum. The species’ dark green leaves are rounded in shape with elongated apieces that make them look almost heart-shaped. Young leaves are reddish pink in color. As they mature, they become reddish orange and eventually light to dark green.
The same color development is also observed on the stems of Philodendron ‘Brazil’. Each glossy leaf is splashed with cream and green colorations, which is distinct to this cultivar.
Most plant owners grow Philodendron ‘Brazil’ in hanging baskets or as a foliage accent plant. But this showy low-growing plant is naturally a climber. When grown on totem poles, they exhibit a cascading or trailing growth manner with dense foliage. Whether they are grown in containers or in totem poles, Philodendron Brazil is great indoors as a house plant.
Klein’s currently has a nice assortment of Philodendron ‘Brazil’ in stock in 4″ and 6″ pots and 8″ hanging baskets.
Philodendron Care
Philodendrons are popular and durable houseplants, known for their ability to survive neglect. The name originates from the Greek word philo, which means love, and dendron, meaning tree. Philodendrons originated in the rain forests and have been popular houseplants since Victorian times. As houseplants, they prefer conditions similar to the rainforest: indirect sunlight and humidity. Several different species of philodendrons have different coloring, leaf size, and shape. Some are climbing plants, and others are shrub/tree-like.
Climbing philodendrons are best suited for indoors and should have a moss-covered stick to support their climb. Non-climbers grow to height of 10 feet and are best suited for gardens, arboretums, office buildings, or large rooms. The leaves of some of these plants can grow to two feet long.
Philodendron are fast-growing and quickly overcrowd their planters. Repotting can be done in any season, and propagation from cuttings or air layering can be done at any time. Diseases are rare – perhaps occasional insect or mite infestations occur. Due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals, these plants are poisonous.
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.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, January 7, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
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
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, January 7, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
This walk is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. 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, January 14, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
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
Friends of Allen Centennial Gardens 2024 Winter Series
The 2024 presentation series, brought to you by the Friends of Allen Centennial Gardens in partnership with the garden, will include 3 sessions, one each in January, February and March. The first two sessions will be virtual and the third will be in person in the Horticulture Building at 1575 Linden Dr on campus.
The programs will reflect different aspects of Allen Garden’s 2024 theme, “Enchanted Ground”. How can the use of plants, installations and other garden features create a magical place? How are societies and individual creativity reflected in gardens through history and across cultures? How can our individual perspectives and interests be infused into an “enchanted” space of our own?
Registration is required. $15 per session/ Free for FACG members.
For more information and to register visit https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/2024-winter-presentation-series-2870249
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 CST (Virtual)
“Theory and Traditions Behind Islamic Garden Design: The Roman Precedents”
Kathryn Gleason, Emeritus Professor, Landscape Architecture, Cornell University
(Jointly sponsored by Madison Area Master Gardeners Association)
Saturday, February 17, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 CST (Virtual)
“Maintaining and developing English Gardens – A focus on the magic behind Hidcote Manor Garden and William Shakespeare’s”
Bertie Swainston, Horticulturalist, Royal Horticultural Society, RHS Garden Harlow Carr, England
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 CST (In person)
“Designing Your Home Landscape”
Christopher Sina, Landscape Architect, Saiki Design, Madison
Held in the Horticulture Building at 1575 Linden Dr
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, January 21, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
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
Winter Animals @ the Arboretum
Sunday, January 21, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Family Nature Program
This program is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk: 1:30–2:30 p.m., activities: 2:30–3:30 p.m. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather. 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
Orchid Escape @ Olbrich Gardens
January 27-March 3, 10:00-4:00 daily
Marvel at eye-popping color around every turn and bathe your senses in botanical bliss. Orchid Escape features roughly 1,000 blooming orchids artfully displayed for your enjoyment, including new orchids special ordered from vendors as well as specimens from our own permanent collections.
Admission:
$8 – General Admission
$5 – Child (ages 6-12)
FREE – Ages 5 & under
FREE – Olbrich members (adult/child)
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Full Moon Night Walk @ the Arboretum
Saturday, January 27, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led walk (full moon January 25). Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or trail conditions. Free, register through Eventbrite by January 23: uw-madison-arboretum.eventbrite.com. Meet at the Visitor Center.
University of WI Arboretum
1207 Seminole Hwy.
Madison, WI 53711
608/263-7888 or arboretum.wisc.edu
Scenic Stroll @ the Arboretum
Sunday, January 28, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
This gently paced walk explores ecological communities near the Visitor Center. Themes may include the land, plants, animals, other organisms, phenology, and ecology. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather. Routes are wheelchair accessible when weather allows. Walks canceled for unsafe weather or route 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
35th Annual Orchid Quest 2023 @ Olbrich Gardens
Saturday, February 3, 10:00-4:00
Sunday, February 4, 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. 2024 will be the 34th year for the Madison Orchid Growers Guild to host Orchid Quest.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens is the host for our orchid show. There will be both an exhibit area to view, and a vendor area with thousands of fragrant orchids for sale. Also planned will be growing seminars, raffle, silent auction and plenty of advice for orchid growers (new and experienced)! Visit orchidgrowersguild.org for more details. Admission and parking free.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Ave., Madison
608/246-4550 or www.olbrich.org for details.
Nature Hike @ the Arboretum
Sunday, February 4, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
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
Family Nature Walk @ the Arboretum
Sunday, February 4, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
This walk is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. 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 Late Winter Farmer’s Market
Saturdays, January 6 thru April 13, 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 6th 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
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:
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
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 JANUARY:
—This is the quietest month at the greenhouse. All 10 greenhouses in our back range are usually shut down to save on energy and prep them for all the spring plants that start arriving in February.
—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 and checking in 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.
PERMANENT FEATURES–
KLEIN’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Have our monthly newsletter e-mailed to you automatically by signing up on the top of our home page @ kleinsfloral.com . 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.
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.
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 5% 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.
DELIVERY INFO
Klein’s Floral and Greenhouses delivers daily, except Sundays, throughout all of Madison and much of Dane County including: Cottage Grove, Deerfield, DeForest, Fitchburg, Maple Bluff, Marshall, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Shorewood Hills, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee and Windsor. We do not deliver to Cambridge, Columbus 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, Deerfield, 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.
Horticulturalist & General Manager–Jamie VandenWymelenberg jamie@kleinsfloral.com
Floral Manager—Sarah Somson floral@kleinsfloral.com
Houseplant Buyer, Newsletter Coordinator—Rick Halbach rick@kleinsfloral.com
Purchasing—Megan Johnson megan@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