Garden Notes

Colorful garden with wave petunias and jade princess millet

The UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program in Wisconsin trains interested adults in university research-based horticultural concepts and practices so they may assist the UW-Extension in providing educational programs to the public on yard care, gardening and garden related environmental issues.

As a proud new member of this group, one of my volunteer areas this summer has been at the Boerner Botanical Gardens. I am currently on the Bloom Team, a group of people who go to Boerner on a weekly basis. We record what is blooming in our various sections and then submit those results monthly to the leader of our group. At the end of the growing season, all results are tabulated and posted on the website to show when various plants actually do bloom in Milwaukee.

As part of my weekly visits, I usually walk around the grounds to see what else is growing that might do well in my yard. This year I have been especially charmed by a flower bed that has been planted with pink, purple and red wave petunias in front, with a dark purple coleus called Vino planted next, followed by Jade Princess Millet (the chartruse plants that sort of look like corn) and finally a row of purple/green elephant ear plants that I think are called Coffee Cup. I find this grouping of plants very dynamic and am now looking for a sunny space in my garden to try  this combination next year!