Here are 11 plants to attract hummingbirds to your garden
Plan your hummingbird garden using these 11 plants.
Angela Peterson and Lou Saldivar, Wochit
Get ready to garden with gardening-related activities in March. Whether you are dreaming of sowing seeds, starting a rain garden with native Wisconsin plants, or looking for garden art, find your inspiration with a class, show or plant sale. Here is a list of events to get you started thinking about a spring garden.
Milwaukee County garden rentals
Gardens are important in the urban environment, and the UW-Extension Milwaukee County Garden Rental program operates eight gardening sites across Milwaukee County. “The early bird catches the worm” is an important adage for securing a plot. Plots are rented on a year-to-year basis, with an opportunity to re-lease them each spring before the season starts. Submit garden plot requests now for processing in April. Request forms and pricing are available online at milwaukee.extension.wisc.edu/agriculture/garden-rental.
Fresh Coast Guardians Rain Garden Plant Sale
The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Rain Garden Plant Sale is open for online purchases, and plants must be pre-ordered by April 3. Plants are sold in bundles and any private property owner, local nonprofit group or municipality may purchase plants. Rain garden webinars and workshops are offered during the spring months in preparation for planting. Attend a workshop and learn how to plan, design and install a rain garden. Workshops are scheduled for Atkinson Library on March 15 and Tippecanoe Library on March 22. Garden experts will discuss design tips and assist you with creating your rain garden. For plant sale information and workshop registration, visit freshcoastguardians.com/resources/rain-garden-plant-sale.
Friends of the Monarch Trail Plant Sale
Purchase milkweeds and native plants for pickup in May. The annual online plant sale will take orders through April. It features six native milkweed species sold in flats, half flats, a combo bag and a six-pack, or choose from a mixture of native plants. A new super-size Monarch Habitat-in-a-Bag group of 16 plants is available online only for $60. Over 50 species of native plants that support birds, pollinators and monarch butterflies will be available at the in-person sale on May 10 and 11 in the Greenfield Park Pavilion, 2028 S. 124th St., West Allis. To order, visit themonarchtrail.org.
Friends of the Elm Grove Library ‘Nature’s Best Hope’ book event
Learn the importance of re-landscaping lawn space into productive native plant communities at an Elm Grove Reads book event at 6:30 p.m. March 12. Presenters Neil Diboll, president of Prairie Nursery, and Michael Yanny of Johnson Nursery will provide an interactive conversation about the book “Nature’s Best Hope” by Douglas Tallamy. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with informational booths provided by Native Roots, Johnson Nursery, Elm Grove Beautification Committee, Friends of the Elm Grove Library, Elm Grove Woman’s Club, SEWISC, Wild Ones, and Sweet Water resource groups. The event is at the Elm Grove Woman’s Club, 13885 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove. Register online at friendsofelmgrovelibrary.org/events.
Ebert’s Greenhouse Production Tour 2025
Production Tour 2025 is a behind-the-scenes look at how the growing season begins in the greenhouse. Free tours are offered at 9 and 11 a.m. March 13. Learn about new plants, watering and fertilizing tips. Reservation required. W1795 Fox Road, Ixonia. Call Anne for reservations: (920) 261-5645. ebertsgreenhouse.com
Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens events
The Friends group is offering a Getting Ready for Spring Gardening workshop at 10 a.m. March 24. The class includes a presentation by a professional horticulturist, with suggestions for starting your home garden, followed by a Q&A session. The cost is $20 for nonmembers and $15 for FBBG members. Register online at boernerbotanicalgardens.org.
Shop new-to-you gardening books at the Garden Book Exchange from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27-28. Books are priced from 50 cents to $5, with proceeds benefiting the Friends’ educational programming.
Both events take place at Whitnall Park, 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners. For Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens membership information, call (414) 525-5653.
Humboldt Park Friends speaker series
The Humboldt in Harmony monthly speaker series presentation on March 11 is “Master Your Garden.” Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardeners will share tips on planning, growing, and maintaining a natural urban garden with natives and local plants. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Humboldt Park Pavilion at 3000 S. Howell Ave. humboldtparkmilwaukee.org
Windowsill garden workshop at Villard Square Library
The Villard Square Library, 5190 N. 35th St., will host a Windowsill Garden workshop for beginners at 11 a.m. March 29. The hands-on class will show participants how to grow fresh herbs and flowers in small indoor spaces. The session provides seeds, soil and containers. For more classes, visit the Milwaukee Public Library events page at mpl.org.
Realtors Home & Garden Show
The annual landscaping, gardening and home improvement show runs March 21-30 in the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis. Stroll the Garden Promenade which features design trends and hardscaping products, or attend a presentation by gardening author and educator Melinda Myers, offering programs on container gardens,and water-wise gardening. The show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 21-22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 23, 4 to 8 p.m. March 26-27, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 28-29 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 30. General admission $12. For additional admission discounts visit mkehgs.com.
Retzer Nature Center Spring Workshop Day
Learn about the relationship between birds and native plants at the Spring Workshop Day held from 9 a.m. to noon March 15 at Retzer Nature Center, S14 W28167 Madison St., Waukesha. Experts will share information on encouraging birds with native plantings and pollinator gardening. An optional birding hike follows the workshop. Cost is $20 per person. Register online at waukeshacounty.gov/parks-and-land-use/parks-and-land-use-events.
Environmentally Friendly Landscaping talk from Roots and Branches
Horticulturist and author Glenn Herold discusses Environmentally Friendly Landscaping at 7 p.m. March 26. West Bend City Hall, 1115 S. Main St., West Bend. Get tips on the choice of plants, mulch or ground cover, and review composting, water usage and pest control management. The event is free. Register at rootsbranches.org.
Steampunk Faire at Mitchell Park Domes
View mechanical blooms at this art fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29. The garden party features artists and makers of objects inspired by technology, metal and the Victorian era. The fair is included with regular admission to the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. mitchellparkdomes.com
Vegetable gardening workshops at Stone Bank Farm Market
Heirloom Kitchen Gardens is offering a series of vegetable gardening workshops for beginner gardeners interested in learning how to garden organically. The first class will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 14, with additional classes in the series held one Friday per month through October at Stone Bank Farm Market, N68 W33208 County Road K, Stone Bank. Individual workshops are $35, or purchase the full eight-part series for $265. Register online. More info: (262) 563-8010, stonebankmarket.com.
Gardening for the Birds and Bees workshop at Wehr Nature Center
Two Gardening for the Birds and the Bees workshops will be held on March 15 at Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin. The 9:30 a.m. session is an Introduction to Native Gardening for Beginners, which provides basic information on starting a pollinator/wildlife garden. The 12:30 p.m. session is Designing Your Native Garden, which offers expert help on designing a native plant area that fits in your backyard. The fee per session is $15 for non-residents, $13 for Milwaukee County residents and $10 for Friends of Wehr members. Reservations recommended; walk-ins are welcome as space allows. (414) 425-8550, wehrnaturecenter.com
