Virginia Bluebells Ring in the Season of Spring

            After three long months of winter, we all look forward to some sign of spring. For me, that sign is the emergence of woodland wildflowers in my front yard shade garden. One of the most conspicuous early risers is Virginia bluebells, Mertensia virginica. This member of the forget-me-not family, the Boraginaceae, loves rich, moist …

Shady Characters

            What do you plant when you have a shady yard? Why, hostas of course! Few herbaceous plants tolerate the dense canopy of tall trees better than hostas. I planted hostas under all three large trees that shade the front of our house. Unfortunately, though, hostas don’t become full size until June in Southeast Wisconsin, …