Archives

• Gardening with Native Plants: Keep Your Leaves October 31, 2017

  November completes the fall transition begun in October. Still-warm days become dark evenings with consistent frost. The month brings the average first date for “cat-tracking” … Read more

• A New Fence for Longenecker Horticultural Gardens September 29, 2017

  This past summer, the fence lining Longenecker Horticultural Gardens along Arboretum Drive started to get a makeover. Most of the old woven-wire fence was removed … Read more

• Gardening with Native Plants:  Space for Thistles September 29, 2017

  October is a transition month in the garden, with median first frost date mid-month, plants dying back, seeds dispersing, birds flocking and feeding on fruits … Read more

• Gardening with Native Plants: Fall Practices and Perspective August 30, 2017

  The summer-to-fall garden transition proceeds in September, while garden tasks continue: planting, weeding, and collecting or ordering seeds. This month is also a good time … Read more

• Gardening with Native Plants: Savanna Highlights July 28, 2017

  Mid-summer heat or hint of fall? Droughty weeks or monsoon-like rains? During August in Wisconsin, all are possible. Seasonal gardening tasks include harvesting seeds from … Read more

• Bee Alert: Bumble Bees Are Struggling, but Still Alive in the UW Arboretum July 6, 2017

  “We’ve heard a lot about how habitat loss and pesticide use is affecting honey bee and monarch butterfly populations, but wild bee populations are feeling … Read more

• Gardening with Native Plants: Legumes in Summer Gardens June 29, 2017

  In July, many members of the pea or bean family (Fabaceae) bloom or are in fruit in our prairie and savanna gardens. Some species are welcome, … Read more

• Gardening with Native Plants: Supporting Monarch Populations May 31, 2017

  This month’s long days bring the transition from spring into summer. Our native plant garden activities include planting, weeding, edging, mulching, and mowing. We are … Read more

• What's Sprung in the Gardens? May 3, 2017

  Seemingly overnight, a number of creations have SPRUNG up among the blooming trees and shrubs in Longenecker Horticultural Gardens. SPRUNG, a site-specific outdoor sculpture exhibit by UW … Read more

• Gardening with Native Plants: Keeping Up with Spring May 1, 2017

  In May spring gardening is at its peak, with consistently warming temperatures, long day lengths, high sun angle, workable soils, and vigorous new growth. In … Read more

• Horticultural Garden Notes: Spring Updates May 1, 2017

  Magnolias With their dazzling display of showy flowers, magnolias are a spring favorite in Longenecker Horticultural Gardens (LHG). Although this year’s magnolia bloom is nearly done, … Read more

• Gardening with Native Plants: Patterns of Spring Growth March 31, 2017

  In April our gardens come to life. As mud, rain showers, thawing, and drying permit, it’s time for trimming, planting, spring monitoring, and weeding. Plant … Read more

• How to Protect Our Disappearing Bumble Bees March 24, 2017

  “On March 21, the rusty-patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis, officially became the first bumble bee listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act. This designation recognizes … Read more

• Gardening with Native Plants: Spring Transition March 1, 2017

  During March, the calendar—and sometimes the weather—turn to spring. By the end of the month, as temperatures rise and soils dry, we may see suitable … Read more

• Gardening with Native Plants: A Gardener’s Winter January 31, 2017

  February in southern Wisconsin brings variation in temperatures and precipitation—wet snows, ice, sleet, dipping temperatures, or thaws—true winter, or a hint of March. Outdoor garden … Read more

• Pruning in Longenecker Horticultural Gardens October 24, 2016

  One of the most important maintenance tasks in the Arboretum’s horticultural collections is pruning. We strive to showcase the natural growth habits and qualities of … Read more

• Two Ash Trees in Horticulture Collection Treated Against EAB July 10, 2015

  As many Madisonians know, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was confirmed on the north side of Madison in November 2013. By April 2015, EAB was … Read more

• Meet David Stevens: A New Chapter for Longenecker Horticultural Gardens July 1, 2015

  On May 4, 2015, the UW–​Madison Arboretum welcomed David Stevens as the new curator of the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens. Professor Edward Hasselkus, the previous curator, … Read more

• Spring Tonic – UW Art Student Sculpture Exhibition April 28, 2015

  The Arboretum will be the host for a site-specific art show by the UW Art Department’s Advance Sculpture class, taught by professor Aris Georgiades. The … Read more

• Arboretum Hiring a Curator for Longenecker Horticultural Gardens January 16, 2015

  The UW–Madison Arboretum is hiring a curator for Longenecker Horticultural Gardens! LHG is Wisconsin’s premier collection of woody ornamental plants – an unparalleled resource for teaching, study, and public enjoyment. Read more