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Welcome! At Bluestem Farm we love growing plants. Our primary business is propagating wildflowers and other plants native to south-central Wisconsin, including hardy orchids. Most varieties are started from seed, but a few species are propagated by cuttings or division if seed propagation is impractical. Our pot-grown plants are less likely to suffer from transplant shock than bare-root plants since the roots are undisturbed.

Below (and in our PDF catalog) is a list of native plants which we expect to have for sale in 2007, along with a brief description of the sun and soil preferences of each plant. Most plants are in 8.4 oz.(250 ml) or 1.1 qt. (1 liter) pots, a few are plugs or are in larger pots. We also propagate some hardy domestic grapes and herbs.

We sell at the Dane County Farmers' Market in Madison - our stall is on Carroll St. between State St. and West Washington - or on the farm by appointment. In addition to plants, we sell produce from our orchard and large vegetable garden. We eat the food that we grow, so we want it to be the finest possible. We avoid using poisons on our farm and use only natural fertilizers (composts, mulches, manure, seaweed and rock powders) in the fields, although the potted perennials do receive some synthetic slow release fertilizer.

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Yellow Lady Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens). This is a photo of a first bloom of one of our select crosses between two fine parents. By selectively breeding our best seedlings, we can increase the germination rate and seedling vigor for this species. Varieties of yellow lady slippers are found in woodlands, wet prairies, and fens. Most like a soil that has a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
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Showy Lady Slipper (Cypripedium reginae). The showy lady slipper is the largest and showiest of our native orchids. It is the state flower of Minnesota and likes alkaline muck soils in sun to part shade. It likes a garden with plenty of humus to retain soil moisture. This species germinates well and is relatively easy to cultivate. We have a good supply of this species; please inquire about wholesale pricing.
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Grass pink orchid (Calopogon tuberosus). This native orchid is very hardy and easy to cultivate. It likes moist soil in full to part sun without heavy competition and will tolerate poor soil, either acidic or alkaline. Seedlings usually bloom by their third year.
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Bluestem Farm co-owner and greenhouse manager, Martha Barrett, holding one of our potted showy lady slippers. All of our orchids are started from seed in the laboratory and raised in pots or nursery beds. We do not sell "salvaged" or wild dug plants of any kind; all are nursery propagated from seed or division.
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Woodland Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata). We sell plants of prairies, wetlands, and woodlands. Wild blue phlox (not to be confused with the alien Dame's Rocket, often sold as phlox, but actually a mustard with four petals, not five) is getting scarce as more of our woodlands are developed or degraded by buckthorn, garlic mustard, and other introduced species.
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Downy Gentian (Gentiana puberula). Downy gentian is one of the jewels of the prairie and blooms in fall, sometimes into November. Often difficult to propagate, we sell only seed of this species. It comes well from seed if planted with prairie dropseed or other short grasses. Blooms from seed in three to four years and grows fast on poor, rocky soils where competition is limited.
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Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia). Many older folks remember shooting stars on the farms where they grew up. It is declining in abundance in the wild; it is now found mostly in savannas and open woodlands, but formerly was common in prairies throughout southern Wisconsin. It is usually in bloom for Mother’s Day. The flowers are incredibly fragrant. It is slow growing, but germinates well and should be included in more seed mixes.

Species List

(or print from PDF file)

FORBS   Sauk, Dane, Columbia, and/or Iowa County ecotypes     Mesic  means medium moisture

Anemone canadensis       Canada Anemone  Sun, moist soil

Anemone quinquefolia       Wood Anemone   Partial shade to shade, rich soil

Antennaria neglecta     Pussytoes   Sun, poor dry to mesic soil 

Antennaria plantaginifolia       Pussytoes  Sun to partial shade, mesic soil

Aquilegia canadensis      Columbine  Partial shade or sun, most soils

Asarum canadense      Wild Ginger    Shade, rich mesic soil

Asclepias incarnata      Swamp Milkweed   Sun, rich moist soils

Asclepias tuberosa      Butterfly Weed   Sun, sandy mesic to dry soils

Aster azureus     Azure (Sky Blue) Aster   Sun to light shade, mesic to dry soils

Aster laevis     Smooth Aster   Sun to light shade, mesic to dry soils

Aster linariifolius     Stiff Aster    Partial shade, sandy dry soils

Aster macrophyllus      Large-leaved Woodland Aster    Partial shade, mesic soils

Aster novae-angliae     New England Aster   Sun, rich moist to mesic soils

Aster oblongifolius     Savory-leaved aster   Sun, dry calcareous soil

Aster prenanthoides   Crooked Stem Aster   Sun to light shade, moist to wet soil

Aster puniceus  Red-Stemmed Aster  Full sun, wet soil

Aster sagittifolius     Arrow-Leaved Aster  Partial sun, mesic soils

Aster sericeus     Silky Aster    Sun, sandy dry soils

Baptisia leucantha  White Wild Indigo

Baptisia leucophaea  Cream Wild Indigo

 

Caltha palustris      Marsh Marigold    Sun to partial shade, rich very moist to wet soils

Campanula rotundifolia      Harebell    Sun to partial shade, mesic to dry soils

Chelone glabra    Turtlehead     Sun, rich mesic to very moist soils

Clematis virginiana     Wild Clematis (Virgin’s Bower)    Partial shade, rich mesic to moist soils

Coreopsis palmata    Prairie Coreopsis      Sun to light shade, mesic to dry soils

Dioscorea villosa    Wild Yam    Partial shade, rich mesic soils

Dodecatheon meadia     Shooting Star      Sun to shade, most soils

Epilobium angustifolium     Fireweed    Sun, moist soils?

Eryngium yuccifolium    Rattlesnake Master   Sun, mesic to wet-mesic soils

Eupatorium maculatum      Wetland Joe-Pye    Sun, moist soils

Eupatorium perfoliatum     Boneset  Sun, moist soils

Eupatorium purpureum    Woodland Joe-Pye       Partial sun,  mesic to moist soils

Fragaria vesca  Woodland Wild Strawberry    Shade, rich mesic to moist soils

Fragaria virginiana     Wild Strawberry       Sun or partial shade, dry to moist soils

Galium boreale     Northern Bedstraw    Sun, mesic to moist soils

Geum triflorum    Prairie Smoke   Sun, dry to moist soils

Helenium autumnale      Sneezeweed   Sun, moist soils

Helianthus occcidentalis      Western Sunflower   Sun to light shade, dry to mesic soils

Heliopsis helianthoides    Ox-Eye        Sun to partial shade, mesic to moist soils

Heuchera richardsonii      Prairie Alum Root         Sun to partial shade, dry to moist soils

Hypericum pyramidatum     Great St. John’s-wort   Sun, moist soils

Hypoxis hirsuta     Yellow Star Grass  Sun to light shade, dry to moist soils

Iris shrevei     Wild Iris  Sun, moist to very wet soils

Krigia biflora    Cynthia (False Dandelion)      Partial shade to sun,  dry to moist soils   

Lespedeza capitata     Round-Headed Bush-Clover             Available as seed.  Sun to partial shade, most    soil conditions

Liatris aspera      Rough Blazing Star   Sun to light shade, wet-mesic to dry soils

Liatris cylindracea     Dwarf Blazing Star  Sun, dry sandy or limestone soils

Liatris pycnostachya    Prairie Blazing Star     Sun, mesic to moist soils

Lilium philadelphicum    Wood Lily    Sun, rich mesic soils

Liparis lilifolia      Lily-Leaved Twayblade       Partial shade, rich mesic soils    

Lobelia siphilitica     Great Blue Lobelia    Sun to light shade, mesic to wet soils

Lupinus perennis     Lupine    Sun to light shade, sandy dry soils

Mimulus ringens      Monkey Flower        Sun, moist soils  

Mitella diphylla      Miterwort         Partial shade to shade, rich mesic soils    

Monarda fistulosa    Bergamot         Sun, most soils    

Oenothera perennis    Sundrops    Sun, moist soils

Opuntia humifusa     Prickly Pear Cactus    Sun, sandy dry soils

Pedicularis canadensis     Wood Betony      Sun to shade, dry to moist soils  

Penstemon pallidus   White Penstemon       Sun to light shade, mesic to dry soils

Petalostemum purpureum    Purple Prairie Clover   Sun, dry to mesic soils

Phlox divaricata    Woodland Blue Phlox       very limited supply  Shade to partial shade, rich mesic soils

Phlox pilosa     Downy (Prairie) Phlox     Sun to light shade, dry to wet-mesic soils

Polemonium reptans   Jacob’s Ladder      Sun to shade, moist soils 

Polygonatum biflorum    Solomon’s Seal      Shade, rich mesic soils

Potentilla arguta    Prairie Cinquefoil          Sun to light shade, dry to mesic soils

Pycnanthemum virginianum    Mountain Mint    Sun, dry to moist soils

Ratibida pinnata     Yellow Coneflower   Sun, mesic to wet-mesic soils

Rudbeckia hirta     Black-Eyed Susan  Available as seed.  Sun, most soils.  Short lived

Rudbeckia laciniata    Wild Golden Glow (Green-Headed Coneflower)   Sun to shade, rich moist soils

Rudbeckia subtomentosa    Sweet Black-Eyed Susan   Sun to light shade, mesic to moist soils

Rudbeckia triloba  Brown-Eyed Susan  Annual to biennial  Sun, mesic soil

Sanguinaria canadensis    Bloodroot   Shade, rich mesic soil

Silene virginica    Fire Pink  Shade, rich mesic soil

Silphium integrifolium   Rosin Weed Available as seed.    Sun, dry to wet-mesic soils.  Aggressive

Silphium laciniatum    Compass Plant   Sun, mesic soil

Silphium perfoliatum     Cupplant  Available as seed.   Sun to partial shade, moist soil.  Aggressive

Silphium terebinthinaceum    Prairie Dock  Sun, moist soil

Sisyrinchium campestre    Blue-Eyed Grass    Sun to light shade, dry to moist soil

Smilacina racemosa   False Solomon’s Seal     Shade, rich mesic soil

Smilacina stellata    Starry False Solomon’s Seal    Sun to partial shade, dry sandy soil

Solidago flexicaulis      Zigzag Goldenrod    Partial shade, rich mesic soil

Solidago graminifolia    Grass-Leaved Goldenrod   Sun, mesic to wet soils

Solidago nemoralis     Old-Field Goldenrod    Sun, dry soils

Solidago rigida    Stiff Goldenrod   Sun, moist to dry soils

Solidago speciosa    Showy Goldenrod   Sun to light shade, mesic to dry soils

Teucrium canadense  Germander  Sun to partial shade, mesic soil

Thalictrum dasycarpum    Purple Meadow Rue    Sun, moist soils

Thalictrum dioicum     Early Meadow Rue    Shade to partial shade, rich mesic soils

Tradescantia ohiensis    Spiderwort    Sun to light shade, dry to moist soils

Triosteum perfoliatum     Wild Coffee, Tinkerweed   Light shade, mesic to moist soils

Verbena stricta    Hoary Vervain   Sun, dry to mesic low-fertility soils

Veronicastrum virginicum    Culver’s Root   Sun to partial shade, moist to mesic soils

Zizia aurea       Golden Alexanders   Sun to light shade, mesic to moist soils

 

 

OTHER FORBS    From outside of the Sauk, Columbia, Dane and Iowa County area

Allium cernuum    Nodding Wild Onion    Sun, mesic soil

Calopogon tuberosus     Grass Pink Orchid   Sun, moist soil

Cypripedium parviflorum  Yellow Lady's Slipper  Light shade, mesic neutral to slightly alkaline soil

Cypripedium reginae    Showy Lady’s Slipper   Sun, moist soil

Dodecatheon amethystinum     Amethyst Shooting Star   Shade, mesic to moist soil

Echinacea pallida     Pale Purple Coneflower    Sun, mesic soil

Silene stellata    Starry Campion    Partial shade, mesic soil

 

GRASSES     Sauk, Columbia, Dane, and Iowa Co. ecotypes.

Andropogon gerardi     Big Bluestem    Sun, most soils

Andropogon scoparius    Little Bluestem   Sun, mesic to dry soil

Bouteloua curtipendula     Side Oats Grama   Sun, calcareous mesic to dry soil

Calamagrostis canadensis    Blue Joint Grass   Sun, moist soils

Carex pensylvanica  Penn Sedge   Sun to light shade, mesic to dry soil

Danthonia spicata   Wild Oat Grass    Sun to light shade, acid infertile soils

Elymus riparius  Riverbank Wild-Rye   Light shade to full canopy, moist to wet soils

Elymus villosus    Silky Wild Rye   Partial shade, mesic soils

Hierocloë odorata    Sweet Grass   Sun, moist to wet soils

Hystrix patula ( = Elymus hystrix)   Bottlebrush Grass    Shade to partial shade, mesic soil 

Koeleria cristata    Junegrass    Sun, dry soil

Sorghastrum nutans   Indian Grass    Sun, most soils

Spartina pectinata    Prairie Cord Grass   Sun, moist to wet soils

Sporobolus heterolepis   Prairie Dropseed      Sun, moist to dry soils 

 

 

WOODY PLANTS  Sauk, Columbia, Dane, and Iowa Co. ecotypes

Acer rubrum  Red Maple    Shade tolerant tree, mesic to wet soils

Acer saccharum  Sugar Maple    Shade tolerant tree, mesic to dry-mesic soil

Amorpha canescens   Leadplant     Low growing prairie shrub, dry to mesic soil

Amorpha fruticosa    Indigo Bush       10 foot wetland shrub; sun and moist soil

Betula papyrifera  Paper Birch    Woodland tree, moist to dry soils and North slopes

Carya ovata  Shagbark Hickory   Slow growing tree, full sun and dry to mesic soil

Cassia hebecarpa  Wild Senna    Wetland shrub; sun to light shade, moist soil

Cornus alternifolia    Pagoda Dogwood     Small woodland tree; mesic to moist soil

Prunus americana    Wild Plum      Small suckering tree;  sun to partial shade, dry to damp soils

Prunus nigra  Canada Wild Plum     Small tree,  sun to partial shade, mesic to damp soils

Quercus alba  White Oak   Large tree, full sun preferred; most soils

Quercus macrocarpa  Bur Oak    Large tree, Full sun  and most soils

Quercus rubra  Red Oak    Large tree, full sun to light shade; mesic soils

Ribes americanum  American Black Currant   Small bush, sun to light shade; moist soils

Rubus occidentalis  Blackcap Raspberry    Thorny canefruit.  Light shade and rich mesic soil preferred

Sambucus canadensis  Elderberry   Suckering shrub.  Full sun and moist soil are best

 

 



Well Behaved Plants for Gardens and Landscaping

Allium cernuum   Nodding Wild Onion

Amorpha canescens    Leadplant

Anemone quinquefolia   Wood Anemone

Aquilegia canadensis    Columbine 

Asclepias incarnata   Swamp Milkweed  

Asclepias tuberosa    Butterfly Weed  

Campanula rotundifolia   Harebell   

Cypripedium parviflorum  Yellow Lady's Slipper

Cypripedium reginae  Showy Lady's Slipper

Dodecatheon amethystinum   Amethyst Shooting Star  

Dodecatheon meadia     Shooting Star     

Echinacea pallida    Pale Purple Coneflower   

Geum triflorum    Prairie Smoke  

Heuchera richardsonii   Prairie Alum Root        

Hypoxis hirsuta    Yellow Star Grass 

Liatris aspera    Rough Blazing Star  

Lilium philadelphicum   Wood Lily   

Mitella diphylla    Miterwort      

Oenothera perennis   Sundrops

Phlox divaricata   Woodland Blue Phlox       

Phlox pilosa    Downy (Prairie) Phlox    

Polemonium reptans    Jacob’s Ladder          

Rudbeckia subtomentosa    Sweet Black-Eyed Susan  

Silphium laciniatum   Compass Plant  

Silphium terebinthinaceum    Prairie Dock 

Solidago rigida     Stiff Goldenrod  

Solidago speciosa    Showy Goldenrod  

Thalictrum dioicum    Early Meadow Rue   

Veronicastrum virginicum    Culver’s Root  

Zizia aurea     Golden Alexanders  

Danthonia spicata   Wild Oat Grass   

Sporobolus heterolepis   Prairie Dropseed     

Betula papyrifera  Paper Birch   

Carya ovata  Shagbark Hickory  

Cornus alternifolia     Pagoda Dogwood   

Red, White and Bur Oaks
Red and Sugar Maples

 

 

Rock Garden type plants
Antennaria neglecta    Pussytoes  
Antennaria plantaginifolia    
Pussytoes 
Aster linariifolius     Stiff Aster   
Aster sericeus    Silky Aster   
Campanula rotundifolia    Harebell   
Dodecatheon meadia     Shooting Star     
Dodecatheon amethystinum    Amethyst Shooting Star 
Geum triflorum    Prairie Smoke  
Heuchera richardsonii    Prairie Alum Root        
Hypoxis hirsuta  Yellow Star Grass 
Liatris cylindracea    Dwarf Blazing Star 
Mitella diphylla    Miterwort        
Oenothera perennis    Sundrops   
Penstemon pallidus   White Penstemon    
Phlox pilosa    Downy (Prairie) Phlox    
Potentilla arguta   Prairie Cinquefoil         
Sisyrinchium campestre    Blue-Eyed Grass   
Solidago nemoralis    Old-Field Goldenrod   
Danthonia spicata     Wild Oat Grass   
Koeleria cristata   Junegrass

 

Aggressive Plants to be aware of

Many of these are fine in landscaping, as long as their tendencies are taken into account.  Others are only suited for restoration work. 

Anemone canadensis    Canada Anemone  Clonal.  Roots must be contained.

Asarum canadense     Wild Ginger   Clonal--spreads slowly, but inexorably.

Aster laevis    Smooth Aster  Some people have a problem with this self sowing.

Aster macrophyllus    Large-leaved Woodland Aster    Clonal.

Aster novae-angliae    New England Aster    Aggressive self seeder.

Aster oblongifolius  Savory-Leaved Aster  Clonal.

Aster sagittifolius    Arrow-Leaved Aster   This can be an aggressive self-seeder.

Clematis virginiana    Wild Clematis (Virgin’s Bower)    Aggressive vine--roots wherever it touches the          ground.

Coreopsis palmata   Prairie Coreopsis    Clonal.  May or may not be a problem.

Fragaria virginiana  Wild Strawberry   Spreads vigorously, but seldom hard to control. 

Galium boreale     Northern Bedstraw    Seeder, clonal, and suppresses the growth of other plants.

Helenium autumnale     Sneezeweed   Self-sows readily.  Seedlings should be easy to control.

Helianthus occcidentalis    Western Sunflower   Clonal.  Other Helianthus species are more aggressive yet.

Heliopsis helianthoides    Ox-Eye       Self seeds readily, and seedlings grow fast.

Iris shrevei     Wild Iris    Clonal.

Pedicularis canadensis     Wood Betony    Clonal.

Polygonatum biflorum     Solomon’s Seal     Clonal.

Silphium integrifolium    Rosin Weed    Self sows vigorously.  Not recommended.

Silphium perfoliatum      Cupplant    Self sows vigorously.  Not recommended.

Smilacina racemosa      False Solomon’s Seal     Clonal.   May be hard to contain.

Smilacina stellata     Starry False Solomon’s Seal     Clonal.   May be hard to contain.

Solidago flexicaulis    Zigzag Goldenrod    Clonal.  May be hard to contain.

Solidago graminifolia   Grass-Leaved Goldenrod   Clonal.  May be hard to contain.

Vernonia fasciculata    Ironweed    Clonal.  Extremely vigorous when happy.

Andropogon gerardi    Big Bluestem     Self-sows vigorously.  May be hard to contain.

Calamagrostis canadensis    Blue Joint Grass    Clonal.  Not for gardens.

Hierocloë odorata    Sweet Grass   Clonal.  Roots must be contained but may not spread to dry ground.

Sorghastrum nutans    Indian Grass    Self-sows vigorously.  May be hard to contain.

Spartina pectinata      Prairie Cord Grass     Clonal.  Only for restoration  plantings.

Prunus americana     Wild Plum       Clonal.  Sprouts can be contained with the lawn mower.

Rubus occidentalis Black Raspberry   Needs to be kept pruned.

Sambucus canadensis  Elderberry    Sends up root sprouts--not for small spaces.




Questions or comments? Please write to bluestem_farm(at)juno.com

Bluestem Farm

S5920 Lehman Road -- Baraboo, WI 53913 -- (608) 356-0179

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