Wisconsin Native

Showing 105–108 of 108 results

  • Trillium grandiflorum Large flowered Trillium, Wake robin Z 4-8

    Pure white trio of petals atop whorl of leaves in May. Ephemeral.

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    OUT OF STOCK – Available for purchase in Spring only

    Pure white trio of petals atop whorl of leaves in May. Ephemeral.

    Size: 12-18” x slowly spreading
    Care: shade to part shade in moist soil
    Native: Quebec to Georgia, west to Minnesota WI native
    Awards: Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden Great Plant Picks

    Chippewa made decoctions of Trillium for aching joints & sore ears. Menominee cured many ailments with this Trillium: irregular menstrual periods, cramps, diuretic, swollen eyes and “sore nipples and teats pierced with a dog whisker.” Collected by Frenchman André Michaux (1746-1802) who spent 11 years in America collecting hundreds of new plants.

  • Verbena hastata Blue vervain, Simpler’s joy Z 3-9

    Bright purplish-blue candelabra-like spikes from July to September

    $12.25/bareroot

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    Bright purplish-blue candelabra-like spikes from July to September

    Size: 2-4’ x 2’
    Care: sun to part shade in moist or moist well-drained soil
    Native: eastern 2/3rds of No. America, Wisconsin native
    Wildlife Value: Cardinals & Sparrows eat the seeds. Food for larvae of Buckeye butterfly.

    Native Americans used plant as remedy for coughs, colds and fever.  Mahuna Indians of So. California used the root to cure complicated stomach fevers.   Sioux fed the seeds to their horses to give them energy.  The Sioux also used it as an insect repellant.  Pressed specimen in Emily Dickinson’s herbarium.

  • Veronicastrum virginianum, Culver’s root Z 4-9

    Tall, graceful ivory spires made of multitudes of small tubes crowd along the stem, arranged like a candelabra, bloom from early to mid-summer.

    $12.75/bareroot

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    Tall, graceful ivory spires made of multitudes of small tubes crowd along the stem, arranged like a candelabra, bloom from early to mid-summer.

    Size: 4' x 18"
    Care: full sun to part shade in moist soil
    Native: From Canada to Texas incl. Wisconsin native
    Wildlife Value: Numerous bee species, including the Rusty patched Bumble Bee wasps and butterflies collect pollen and drink the nectar.

    Used by American Indians as a laxative and to induce vomiting and clean blood.  Cherokee cured typhus and inactive livers with Culver’s root. Seneca Indians used the root in their ceremonies. Sioux also used this to stimulate the liver. They also burned the root for the smoke to purify those who had contact with a dead family member. 1st collected by Rev. John Banister (1649-1692) who moved to colonial Virginia in 1678.  A gunman mistakenly shot and killed him while he collected plants.   Colonial Puritan Cotton Mather unsuccessfully attempted to use this plant to cure his daughter’s tuberculosis in 1716.  Colonial nurseryman John Bartram (1699-177) 6used this medicinally saying, “One Handful of the Roots of this Plant, boiled in a Pint of Milk, and drank, is used by the back Inhabitants for a powerful Vomit.” Pressed specimen in Emily Dickinson’s herbarium.

  • Zizia aurea Golden alexanders Z 4-9

    In spring, golden umbels

    $12.75/bareroot

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    Tiny chartreuse-golden flowers, grouped in umbels, spring.  Good cut flower.

    Size: 30"x 24"
    Care: full sun in moist to moist well-drained soil
    Native: from New Brunswick south to Florida - west to Texas, Wisconsin native
    Wildlife Value: Primary host for the Missouri Woodland and Black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Supports over 70 bee species.

    Meskwaki used the root to reduce fevers and the flower stalks to ease headaches.  Collected by late 1700’s.  Good cut flower.