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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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