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Plants

| March 1, 2023

Gold Tide Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia ‘Courtasol’)

A Compact Shrub with Stunning Spring Blooms! Why We Love It:Gold Tide Forsythia is a dense and compact deciduous shrub that is bathed in stunning lemon-yellow flowers along its branches in early spring. Forsythia are one of the first shrubs to bloom and their yellow flowers are a true sign that spring has arrived! Forsythia […]

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Tips & Tricks

| February 14, 2023

Dormant Pruning

It may not be spring yet, but there is still work that can be done outdoors if you don’t mind the cold! Our Garden Center Manager and resident expert, Mike, sat down with me to discuss dormant pruning. Mike has been with Piala’s for over 10 years and received his Bachelor of Science degree in […]

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Plants

| February 1, 2023

Sem False Spirea (Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Sem’)

A Compact Shrub with Vivid Color! Why We Love It:Sem False Spirea is truly a work of art. This compact shrub has fern-like foliage that emerges with rich shades of pink and red that fade to a bright chartreuse. It blooms in the summer with showy white plumes of flowers, and in the fall, its […]

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Plants / Tips & Tricks

| January 31, 2023

So What WON’T Waukesha Deer Eat?

Deer pressure in Waukesha county has increased considerably in the last 10-15 years. Some areas, including parts of Pewaukee and Elm Grove, have severe deer pressure. If deer are hungry enough, they’ll try almost anything. There are many articles & reference books on this topic, but opinions and results vary drastically based on region. It’s not uncommon to […]

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Plants

| January 1, 2023

Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)

A Deciduous Conifer with Intrigue! Why We Love It:Baldcypress is a pyramidal deciduous conifer that adds an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape. It has narrow, bright green fern-like leaves. Come fall, the feathery leaves turn a stunning orange/cinnamon-brown before they are shed. Baldcypress is a unique tree that can provide shade and […]

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Bugs & Blights

| December 22, 2022

2022: Garden Bugs in Review

As we turn the page on 2022 and start our growing plan for 2023, we evaluate trends and local changes in the natural environment. Today, let’s take a good look at the noteworthy creepy crawlies that we found at our nursery and in our client’s landscapes in Southern Wisconsin. BAD GUY: Magnolia Scale Sometimes mistaken for […]

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Plants

| November 1, 2022

Chi Chi Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ‘Chi Chi’)

A Favorite for Unique Foliage and Rich Fall Color Hardiness Range: 3 to 8 Height: 4-6’, Slow Growing Spread: 4-6’, Slow Growing Exposure: Full Sun Fall Color: Bright Yellow Why We Love It:Chi Chi Ginkgo is a dwarf variety of the popular ginkgo tree. This dense, multi-stemmed shrub has distinct fan-shaped, emerald green leaves that […]

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Plants

| October 1, 2022

Little Joe Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum ‘Little Joe’)

Compact Perennial with Late Summer to Late Fall Blooms Hardiness Range: 3 to 9 Height: 3’ to 4’ Spread: 2’ to 3’ Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade Flower Color: Mauve Pink Why We Love It:Little Joe Joe-Pye Weed is an herbaceous perennial with a semi-compact and upright habit of growth compared to other Joe-Pye […]

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Plants

| September 1, 2022

Blackthorne Daylily (Hemerocallis ‘Blackthorne’)

A Visually Stunning Heat Tolerant Perennial Hardiness Range: 3 to 9 Height: 2’ to 3’ Spread: 1’ to 2’ Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Flower Color: Creamy Yellow and Dark Purple Why We Love It:Blackthorne Daylily is truly a stunning addition to any perennial garden or landscape. It is adorned with multi-colored flowers showcasing a […]

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