If you have lived in Wisconsin for any amount of time, you know the drill: The snow melts, we get one gorgeous 60-degree day in March, and we all rush outside to clean up the yard. Then, inevitably, we get hit with one last snowstorm in April.
It’s a tricky climate to navigate, but that doesn’t stop the gardening itch from kicking in right about now!
The Official Start of the Season: A Day at Groth’s County Gardens in Cedarburg
For me, the official start of the gardening season begins with a special tradition. Every spring, I get together with a group of girlfriends, and we head over to Groth’s Country Gardens in Cedarburg for their annual planting classes.
It is such a fun Girls’ Day. We bring our own empty pots (or buy new ones there), pick out our favorite annuals, and get our hands dirty planting them right then and there.
The best part? Groth’s keeps the pots in their warm greenhouse and cares for them until it is safe to bring them home, usually later in May when the danger of frost has finally passed.
It’s the perfect cheat code for Wisconsin gardening: I get all the fun of planting early, without worrying about freezing my petunias overnight!
Tips to Make Your Garden the Talk of the Town
While that takes care of my front porch containers, the rest of the yard requires a bit more strategy. If you are looking to spruce up your curb appeal this year, here are a few practical landscape design ideas that can actually survive our Wisconsin weather.
1. Choose Native Perennials for Longevity
The easiest way to ensure your garden comes back year after year is to choose plants that are native to our hardiness zone. We’re mostly Zone 5 here in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Native plants have deep root systems that help them survive our freezing winters and hot, humid summers. Here are some of my favorites:
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea): These are tough, colorful, and pollinators love them.
- Black-Eyed Susans: They essentially grow like weeds (in a good way!) and provide a cheerful pop of yellow late into the season.
- Peonies: A Wisconsin classic. They are incredibly hardy and can live for decades with very little maintenance.
2. Lean Into the Hosta Life
If you have mature trees in your yard, you have shade. Instead of fighting it by trying to grow grass where the sun doesn’t shine, embrace it!
Hostas are the MVP of Wisconsin landscaping because they are virtually unkillable by cold weather. Mix different varieties, like the giant Blue Angel mixed with the variegated Patriot, to add texture and visual interest without needing blooms.
3. Add “Winter Interest” with Hardscaping
Since our plants are dormant for nearly half the year, your landscape design needs to look good even when it’s covered in snow. This is where “hardscaping” comes in. Consider adding permanent structures like:
- Stone retainer walls or walkways: These add structure that looks beautiful peeking out of the snow.
- A Fire Pit: This extends your outdoor season significantly. There is nothing quite like a bonfire on a crisp October (or April!) evening.
- Evergreens: Don’t just plant flowers. Arborvitae and Boxwoods provide green color year-round and give your yard privacy.
4. Deer-Resistant Choices
Depending on where you live in Waukesha or Ozaukee County, the deer might view your garden as an all-you-can-eat buffet. While no plant is 100% deer-proof, you can make your yard less appetizing by planting things they generally dislike, such as Bleeding Hearts, Black-eyed Susans, and ornamental grasses.
Enhancing Your Curb Appeal
Whether you are getting ready to list your home or just want to be the envy of the neighborhood, a little landscaping goes a long way. You don’t need to hire a professional crew to make a big impact. Even just a few well-placed pots (maybe from your own greenhouse trip!) and some hardy perennials can transform the look of your home.
Happy planting! Let’s hope that last frost stays away!
