After a long winter, Wisconsinites are ready to get their hands dirty, beautify their homes with flowers and get those veggie gardens planted. Check out these reader-favorite Wisconsin greenhouses to help get spring planting started, whether you are an outdoor novice or have a green thumb.
Wayne’s Daughters Greenhouse
Caledonia
Wayne’s Daughters in Caledonia has quite the family history – nine generations to be exact! Clearly, this family knows their plants and flowers. Wayne’s Daughters’ farm has been in the family since 1839 and is run by Wayne and Sandy and–as the greenhouse’s name suggests–their four daughters. Wayne’s features an abundant amount of annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables and beautiful planters and hangers. Check out its Mega baskets, something the Wisconsin greenhouse has become known for over the years. The family prides itself on affordable prices, a wide variety of locally grown plants and flowers and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Wayne’s Daughters opens for the season April 27. For more information, visit www.waynesdaughtersgreenhouses.com.
Ebert’s Greenhouse Village
Ixonia
Known for its large selection of flowers, hanging baskets and plants displayed in a “village” setting, Ebert’s Greenhouse Village in Ixonia has served its community for the last 45 years. Ebert’s on-site selection is impressive and so is its well-organized website to do a little pre-visit research. Check out plants and trees by category and characteristics (like rabbit-resistant or attracts butterflies). We also love the online blog, letting garden fans know what’s happening in the off-season as well as fun and informative gardening topics and tips.
Customers can also take part in a number of events throughout the year, like plant seminars with resident super star and nationally known garden expert and author, Melinda Myers, or Ladies Nights, which include food, shopping and games. Seasonal events include a Mother’s Day celebration, fall festival with hayrides and a Christmas market with treats, trees, workshops and visits from Santa. Plus, every year, Ebert’s hosts an Earth Day writing challenge for third and fourth graders to creatively express how they feel about the earth, nature and the environment.
Ebert’s opens for the season April 14. For more information, visit www.ebertsgreenhouse.com.
JJ’s Acres
Woodruff
JJ’s Acres has been serving the northern Wisconsin area since 1971. Offering both a garden center and landscaping services, JJ’s Acres is truly a gathering place for families, friends and flowers. JJ’s has all of the traditional flowers, herbs, plants and garden goodies, but also offers full-service landscaping services. Services include everything from new lawns and fire pits to water features and irrigation. Guests can browse unique gifts in the on-site garden center and, during holidays, JJ’s offers DIY classes like wreath making. Check out its selection of Big Green Egg smokers as it is the Northwoods’ original dealer of this smoker/grill.
JJ’s Acres opens for the season April 10. For more information, visit www.jjsacres.com.
Shady Lane Greenhouse
Menomonee Falls
Every season is special at Shady Lake Greenhouse, run by the Hornung family – president Karl and daughter Heidi both bring a wealth of knowledge and global gardening experience. Shady Lane offers a variety of services, including custom planters, landscape design, garden maintenance, holiday decorating and much more.
Guests of this Wisconsin greenhouse can marvel at the KFH Legacy model train, measuring 4,800 square feet with 16 different tracks that wrap through the landscape. The train, which features an impressive collection of different eras and styles runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. but is always set up Monday to Friday for viewing. A great trip for the whole family. We also love the community fundraising program where schools and organizations can sell flowers, wreaths, vouchers or poinsettias to raise money for their cause.
Shady Lake Greenhouse hosts a number of fun events throughout the year. From plant-and-sip parties, blooms and brunch, planting classes and the Annual Spring Train Jamboree, there is something for everyone.
Shady Lake Greenhouse is open year round, Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.shadylanegreenhouse.com.
Pesche’s Greenhouse
Lake Geneva
From sun to shade, Pesche’s Greenhouse has you covered with the largest selection of annuals and perennials in the Lake Geneva area. Customers can stroll the 10-plus acres and 20 greenhouses filled to the brim with all of the gardening needs. Seasonal collections include fall mums, Christmas trees, handmade wreaths and poinsettias. Make sure to check out the impressive greenhouse of tropical plants like African violets, succulents, orchids and cactus. Pesche’s also has a large floral department and beatifies hundreds of weddings per year.
Take a stroll through the large gift barn with an ever-changing selection of merchandise from home goods, clothing, baby and housewarming gifts and everything in between. Don’t forget the birds! Pesche’s Greenhouse offers a wide selection of bulk and bag birdseed, bird feeders, baths and houses.
This family-run business has been part of the Lake Geneva community for more than 50 years and is open year round, seven days a week. For more information, visit peschesgreenhouse.com.
Cushman’s Greenhouse
Belmont
Cushman’s Greenhouse has been servicing the southwestern Wisconsin region for more than 40 years with locally grown plants and produce. This Wisconsin greenhouse has a large variety of patio planters, annuals, hanging baskets, herbs, perennials as well as seasonal fall mums and holiday poinsettias. Visitors can bring their own planters or choose one from the large stock, and Cushman’s will plant it with the customer’s selected greenery and color. Every Mother’s Day, Cushman’s gives back to the community by donating five percent of sales to local food pantries and women’s service and area shelters. And kudos on the recycling program! Customers can drop off old plastic pots, trays and even plant tags to be re-used each year. If unusable, the team will take it to the recycling center.
Cushman’s is open year round with extended spring planting and holiday hours. For more information, visit www.cushmansgreenhouse.com.
K&A Greenhouse
Verona and Fitchburg
Dane County residents: Looking for an amazing variety of seasonal plants, shrubs, trees and stunning pre-made containers? Look no further than K&A Greenhouse with locations in Fitchburg and Verona. K&A Greenhouse is a small, family business that focuses on hard work, quality products and exceptional customer service – all which they hope will fuel the love of gardening. Both locations combine for 120,000 square feet of space, where most of the annuals and perennials are grown on-site. We adore the selection of organic veggies and herb starters grown locally in the area.
K&A Greenhouse locations open for the season April 14. For more information, visit www.kandagreenhouse.com.