Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/287250
22 brava magazine | april 2014 It's fInally sprIng (we thInk). After a long winter, when gardening all but stops and snow blankets the earth, the season's arrival brings change and rebirth to the landscape. We get to begin again with fresh eyes and new ideas. is year, cast aside old garden habits and traditions and adopt some of the trends germinating in Madison. pollinaTor gardens Many gardeners grow flowers not only for their beauty and color, but also as a food source to attract and protect local pol- linators. Frank Hassler, owner of Good Oak Ecological Services in Madison, says many clients are aware of honeybees and colony collapse disorder. "However," he says, "many native pollinators, mostly bees but also beetles, flies, wasps and others, are imperiled as well." Lack of habitat is a main cause of pol- linator decline locally. Fortunately, Has- sler has seen increased interest in planting butterfly, bee and native plant gardens, which will quickly attract monarchs and beneficial pollinators to your landscape. Good plants to try: common milkweed, asters, Joe Pye weed, goldenrod, black- eyed Susan, liatris and prairie blazing star. conTainer gardening If you bought into the building boom of condos and apartments you may find yourself without yard access. But, you can still grow vegetables. Just plant in con- tainers, says Jamie VandenWymelenberg of Klein's Floral and Greenhouses which, to serve the condo market, has begun stocking more premade pots with flower and vegetable varieties appropriate for container gardening. Container garden- ing presents one challenge: preventing the pots from drying out quickly in the summer. VandenWymelenberg suggests featuring succulents in your container plantings since they require much less water than flowers and vegetables. With interest in succulents on the rise, a great- er variety has become available locally. a fine lot inspired spring landscapes by megan cain thrive dWell