The New Itoh Peony

Posted on May 4, 2025May 4, 2025 by Marietta Buchner

If you are not a peony lover, then have you read about the Itoh Peony? If so, you know it is expensive. However, when you consider that peonies can live for 100 years, and the Itoh produces 50 to 100 blossoms a season, they really are quite cheap and well worth the initial investment. Stop in today as we have quite a few colors of the Itoh peony in stock along with the original peony plants. Read the attached article and you may just change your mind about becoming a peony lover.

https://www.monrovia.com/be-inspired/peony-care-guide.html

Paeonia Itoh Misaka peony
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

Paeonia Itoh Simply Scrumptious peony
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nurse

Paeonia Itoh Singing in the Rain
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nurser

Paeonia Itoh Coral Louise
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

Itoh Keiko pink peony

Oh My – Just Magnificent – Spectacular

Posted on April 30, 2024April 30, 2024 by Marietta Buchner

These are just a few words to describe what our nursery looks like. It is now filled with plants, shrubs and trees and some blooming plants to feed the hummingbirds. We have lantana trees and lantana pots to give the hummingbirds some appreciated nectar when they arrive here after their long journey. Chances are good that if you put a lantana tree or pot on your deck or wherever you sit outside, hummingbirds will fly to it. We also have blooming roses that are quite spectacular. There are too many things to describe so we suggest you stop in and check us out.

Wagon full of rose plants

Wagon full of lantanas

Rose marvel salvias

Drift of Fragrance – Lilacs

Posted on April 28, 2024April 28, 2024 by Marietta Buchner

Close your eyes and imagine the drift of fragrance from lilacs. Very soon they will be everywhere, blooming in shades of deep purple to light pink to white. Lilacs have come a long way since our grandma’s lilacs, most often the common purple. Short lilacs to tall lilacs to tree lilacs to reblooming ones have been developed. At our nursery we carry many varieties of lilacs. Below is a list of some of the lilacs we have. Keep in mind, though, that we may be out of stock for some lilacs and new ones may be added. Click on the lilac name below and you will be taken to a page describing that lilac.

Albert Holden
Beauty of Moscow
Bloomerang, Dark Purple
Charles Joly
Common Purple
Common White
Donald Wyman
Dwarf Korean
Ludwig Spaeth
Miss Kim
Mount Baker
Pocahontas
Scent & Sensibility
Sensation

My Monet Purple Effect Weigela

Posted on August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 by Marietta Buchner

We have a new weigela in stock. My Monet Purple Effect Weigela gets abundant pink flowers in late spring. Its’ neat variegated leaves start off green with white edges and eventually takes on purple tones as the growing season progresses. This plant is great for borders, mass plantings and containers as it only grows to about a foot and half in height and two feet wide. Click here for more information on this plant.

My Monet Purple Effect Weigela. Photo courtesy of Proven Winners or www.provenwinners.com

My Monet Purple Effect Weigela. Photo courtesy of Proven Winners or www.provenwinners.com

The Itoh Peony

Posted on April 12, 2023April 12, 2023 by Marietta Buchner

Have you seen the new Itoh peonies yet? They are a cross between the tree peony and the common herbaceous peony. The main differences are that the Itoh stems are much sturdier, the Itoh’s bloom for 3-4 weeks and can have 30-60 blossoms per plant and up to 6″ wide, depending on the variety. Itoh blossoms are exquisite, coming in more colors like yellow, apricot, coral, purples and then the usual array of pinks. If Itoh flowers are protected from the hot afternoon sun, they can last as long as 14 days in your garden. They are very fast growing, maturing to about 3 ft tall by 3-1/2 ft wide. Planting in the morning sun is preferable although they can be planted in filtered to full sun. The lush mound of Itoh foliage is another plus as it makes a nice looking shrub and often turn color in fall. Deer generally avoid them. It is recommended that for a real WOW, plant 3-5 in a cluster although one single specimen alone, or in a pot puts on quite the show also. The downside is that they are more expensive then the herbaceous peonies, but once established they viturally are carefree and can last up to 50 years. Consider them an investment.

Itoh Takara Treasure peony

Itoh Keiko pink peony

Itoh Cora Louise peony

Itoh yellow peony

Itoh Singing in the Rain peony

Itoh Julia Rose peony

Lenten Rose / Hellebores

Posted on March 23, 2023March 23, 2023 by Marietta Buchner

Hellebores, or Lenten Roses, typically bloom late winter or very early spring in Zone 4. They are among the very first flowers to bloom, sometimes around the time Lent starts, thus the name Lenten Roses. The foliage is thick and very low to the ground. Flowers are about 2″ wide and the thick foliage is pretty much deer and rabbit resistance which is good, as the foliage tends to stay green year round. When planting, it is important to keep the crown of the plant above ground. If the crown is planted below ground, there is a good chance the plant will die. Once established, hellebores live up to the sleep, creep and leap motto. The first year planted they do very little, the second year they are establishing roots, and the third year and beyond they really start leaping, providing tons of flowers. Plant them close to your house so you can appreciate their beauty. They will bloom even if there is snow on the ground. A few of the Lenten Roses we carried last year are below:

Cascade Picotte Lenten Rose
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

First Kiss Moondance Lenten Rose
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

Winter Jewels Black Diamond Lenten Rose
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

Forst Kiss Pennys Pink Lenten Rose
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

Put a Smile on your Face

Posted on June 7, 2022June 7, 2022 by Marietta Buchner

Well we survived winter and most of this awful spring. Soon it will be summer. Cheer yourself up and put a smile on your face. Buy some beautiful perennials or shrubs to perk up your yard. Presently our tables are full of perennials. We have many, many different types of shrubs and trees. The last couple of years hydrangeas and coneflowers have been the big sellers. We have at least 15 different types of hydrangeas, maybe even more as we get trucks every week. Last week over 200 blooming or budded coneflowers arrived and more will be coming this week. However, there are so many other plants that will bring color and joy to your garden. The new variety of phlox bloom for weeks; day lilies are improved every year so that many more are becoming rebloomers; grasses are still hot and we have lots of them, hardy habiscus plants plus so, so many more; shrubs like winterberry, new varieties of spireas, cheesehead potentilla, viburnums, ninebark, lacy elderberry, shrub roses, etc. Stop in and spruce up your garden and thoroughly enjoy it before winter hits us again.

Jane Magnolia Tree

Posted on March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 by Marietta Buchner

This is the first year we are carrying the Jane Magnolia tree. It is quite similar to the popular Ann Magnolia tree, but there are some differences. The Jane Magnolia tree has larger flowers with more purple-pinkish-white petals whereas the Anne Magnolia flowers have fewer petals and are deep pink. Jane Magnolia blooms in late spring which is a bonus as earlier blooming varieties may have their buds nipped by late frost. Magnolias bloom before foliage appears so you will see a tree in blossom with no leaves to hide the flowers. The leaves are large and deep green in summer, turning to yellow in fall. The growth rate is about a foot a year but I have seen magnolia trees grow much more then a foot per year. Usually this tree produces sporadic blossoms throughout the summer. The tree does best in morning sun and filtered afternoon shade and will grow in just about any type of soil. In spring, when you see the Jane Magnolia tree in bloom and smell the perfume of the flowers, you will be extremely happy you purchased this tree. Please “Google” Jane Magnolia tree and you will see how beautiful this tree is in bloom.

Crabapples Abloom

Posted on April 25, 2021April 25, 2021 by Marietta Buchner

Now is the time of year when the crabapple trees are taking center stage. This year is a beautiful year for them as most of them are truly full of blossoms. Purchasing a crab apple tree now means you get to choose the color of blossoms as you will see most of them blooming at our garden center. There are many various shades of white to a dark pink, possibly close to red. Following are a few of our crabapple trees blooming.

Emerald Spire Crabapple
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

Royal Raindrops Crabapple
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

Showtime Crabapple
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

Prairifire Crabapple
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

Crabapple in bloom in beautiful landscaped yard

MAGNOLIAS IN BLOOM

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Marietta Buchner

Everywhere you look, magnolias are putting forth a beautiful display of pink and white (some yellow). If you have not seen them, take a drive around La Crosse and we are sure you will find trees or shrubs in full bloom or will be soon. At Trees Today we have a good supply of magnolia shrubs and trees that range from 8ft to 35 ft at maturity.

Royal Star Magnolia
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

Leonard Messel Magnolia Tree
Photo courtesy of Bailey NurserieS

Blossom of a Centennial Blush Magnolia
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

Magnolia trees in stock at Trees Today Nursery

Crabapple Trees Have Arrived

Posted on May 19, 2020May 19, 2020 by Marietta Buchner

Hurry In if you are looking for a crabapple tree. A new shipment just arrived and most of the trees are in or about to be in full bloom. We have the old favorite Prairifire, along with Red Splendor, Spring Snow and several others. Again, hurry in because once these trees are gone we may not be able to get any more plus when they are blooming you get to see the bloom color.

Prairifire Crabapple

WOW! and just in time for Mother’s Day

Posted on May 4, 2020May 5, 2020 by Marietta Buchner

We have some amazing plants that just arrived on Monday, May 4. Many are blooming. At the end of this article are actual images of these plants, in stock, and at our nursery. Stop in! Also, we will be getting more hanging baskets and annuals before the weekend.