Morgan Kielisch
Morgan has been at McKay Nursery Company since 2023, where she leads the marketing efforts. She's an avid home gardener who has recently taken the hobby indoors with a hydroponic growing system. She hopes to share the plant knowledge of the experienced team here at McKay Nursery with gardeners across the country. When she's not in the office, you might catch her in the fields flying a drone to capture video content or taking too many pictures of bumble bees on flowers.
Ah, spring. One of our favorite seasons! It’s a time when we feel refreshed, and when the landscape looks reborn. It’s seeing the new foliage bud on trees, or watching tulips or daisies push up through the soil. There’s nothing quite like the early spring bloomers.
In the spirit of spring, we’re sharing some of our most-loved early blooming plants. Trees, shrubs, and perennials all go through the most amazing transition this season, and we’re overjoyed to recommend these stunning specimens.
Trees
Merrill Magnolia Tree Form - The tree form of Merrill Magnolia is fast-growing and very hardy. Flowers are produced from a young age, and it's relatively low-maintenance. Plant as a feature in your front yard, or on the periphery of a woodland area. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats.
Eastern Redbud Tree Form - This stunning tree form redbud is a springtime showstopper. The blooms appear and cover the branches before the foliage
At McKay Nursery Company, we exist to create beautiful outdoor spaces. What makes a landscape great is more than simply pretty plants. Fantastic landscapes are designed to be functional, long-lasting, and should invoke feelings of joy, comfort, and relaxation. Our highly experienced landscape designers and installers strive to provide the absolute best in hardscape and landscape transformations in southern Wisconsin.
We’re thrilled to announce that our team has been awarded the Silver Award for Excellence in Landscaping from the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association (WLCA)!
A Transformational Project on Lake Mendota
This award-winning project, designed by Jim Collar, PLA, and installed by our skilled landscaping team, showcases the power of collaboration with homeowners, as well as how a thoughtful design can refresh your space. Set against the picturesque shores of Lake Mendota, the renovation focused on creating an inviting outdoor entertainment space that seamlessly blends
McKay Nursery Company, a trusted brand in the horticultural industry since 1897, is thrilled to announce the debut of the Great Plains™ Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum ‘McKSilky’). Discovered by nursery staff, this shrub is sure to be a standout choice for gardeners in the Midwest and beyond!
A Compact Cutie with Versatility
Unlike typical dogwoods on the market today, the Great Plains™ Silky Dogwood maintains a compact size, making it ideal for modern landscapes where space may be limited. This shrub grows to a manageable size of 3’ tall x 4’ wide, making it perfect for borders, pollinator gardens, or as a foundation planting. It can be planted in full sun to partial shade, another testament to its adaptability.
A Showstopper in Every Season
The Great Plains™ Silky Dogwood offers year-round beauty in the landscape.
● Spring: Creamy white blooms adorn the shrub, which attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. This shrub transforms your garden into a lively, buzzing haven.
Ah, fall—the season of cozy sweaters, pumpkin-spiced everything, and vibrant foliage. Not only is fall the best time to plant most trees, shrubs, and perennials (see our fall planting guide for more info), but it’s also a great time to hone your gardening clean-up skills. Join us on this epic journey through the art of fall cleanup, where we'll help you turn your garden into a masterpiece of tidiness.
These tips are especially helpful for those of us in the northern half of the country, as our growing season is shortened considerably. For those in growing zones 8-10, not all of these may be beneficial for you, but a good fall cleanup is never a bad idea!
Gear-Up
Gather up all the gear you might need: your tools, gloves, wheelbarrows, and family members. Bribery is encouraged for convincing spouses and children to help in the cleanup. We recommend some warm cider, caramel apples, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin spice, or anything to motivate. Many hands make for easy work!
The Debris Debacle
Clear
As summer's sizzle cools down, the enchanting season of fall planting begins. This is the only time of year when Mother Nature helps us gardeners by giving us ideal conditions. Autumn isn’t just good for watching the colors change on the leaves. Cool temperatures, moisture in the soil, and reduced pest drama help plants establish their roots and get a head start before spring. In this guide we will highlight the benefits of planting in the fall, which plants are perfect to plant, and some planting tips from our nursery experts.
Autumn Planting – Why it Should be the Favorite Season of Gardeners Everywhere
Fall is an ideal season for planting perennials, shrubs, and trees due to several favorable factors:
- Cooler Temperatures: Fall brings milder temperatures, reducing the stress on newly planted vegetation. Cooler air also means less evaporation and stress on plants' water requirements.
- Moist Soil: Fall typically sees increased rainfall, creating moist soil conditions that promote root
Introduction
There’s perhaps no tree more whimsical than the weeping willow with its delicate branches brushing the ground and swaying gently in the breeze. You may not know that the Salix genus, to which the weeping willow belongs, has over 400 species of trees and shrubs. With such a large family to choose from, there’s a willow for everyone!
This guide will go over how to choose a willow tree, comparing common varieties of both trees and shrubs, how to plant a willow, and essential care tips. Keep reading for insider nursery knowledge on this historic plant!
Choosing the Right Willow for Your Landscape
When choosing any plant for your landscape, first consider your location. Do you know what growing zone you’re in? If not, check out this interactive map that will help you pick the plants that will thrive in your area. Once you know your hardiness zone, refer to the list of common willow varieties below to find your perfect match:
Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) - Weeping willows
Introduction
What popular plant is drought-tolerant, hardy, relatively maintenance-free, and thrives in rock gardens? Stonecrop (aka sedum) is a popular choice for gardeners for these reasons and more! These incredibly versatile perennials have hundreds of species within the Sedum genus, meaning there’s plenty of varieties to fall in love with. In this blog, we will explore sedum plants and common varieties, some garden benefits, and provide some planting and care tips.
What is Stonecrop?
Description of Stonecrop
Sedum (now occasionally called Hylotelephium) is a genus that contains over 400 species within it. While there are a few varieties that are native to North America, most originated in China. There are many reasons why stonecrop is a popular choice for gardeners, including its hardiness, many species are hardy from zones 4-9 (if you’re not sure of your growing zone, check out the USDA’s map), and its relatively low-maintenance nature. Sedum plants can even grow in poor soil,
Introduction
Imagine walking down your driveway in spring surrounded by blooming trees the color of freshly fallen snow. A breeze picks up, and suddenly white petals cascade to the ground around you as you walk. This could be your reality with a variety of trees, which we will describe below. It could be a crabapple, an iconic magnolia, or a charming pear tree. These elegant trees bring springtime tranquility to any landscape with their delicate blossoms and lush foliage. Join us as we explore the captivating features and care tips for these stunning flowering trees. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there’s something truly magical about watching them bloom and thrive.
Top Picks for White Blooming Trees
Below are some time-proven white blooming trees curated by our experienced nursery team that look stunning in the landscape.
Magnolia - The magnolia tree has been around for more than 100 million years! The fragrant and show stopping white flowers on the loebner
Introduction
The hibiscus is more than just a pretty tropical flower. It’s Hawaii’s state flower, South Korea’s national flower, and a worldwide symbol of love, admiration, and strength. This incredibly diverse plant has become a favorite for many gardeners across the globe. These sizable tropical blooms come in colors that span nearly the entire rainbow. This care guide will provide information on well-known varieties of hibiscus, tips on planting and growing hibiscus, and how to deal with problems that commonly impact the health of these plants.
Understanding Hibiscus Shrubs
Like most plant genus, there are many, many varieties of hibiscus. Below we’ll cover the ones that are commonly sold and grown throughout the U.S.
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis) - Perhaps the most recognizable of the varieties, tropical hibiscus plants are also called Chinese hibiscus or China rose. The variety is thought to have originated from tropical regions in Asia. It has been widely cultivated
Introduction to Magnolia Flowers
What blooming tree is older than our friendly pollinator bees, and lived at the same time as feathered dinosaurs? You might be surprised to learn it’s the magnolia. Fossils discovered put the genus around for more than 100 million years! The main pollinator at that time wasn’t bees or butterflies, which is why magnolias rely on beetles for pollination.
As far as the blooms go, magnolias are known for their stunning display of spring blooms. They thrive in many growing conditions, and have blooms ranging in colors from white, pink, purple, and yellow. They generally have large glossy leaves, and smooth bark that has a silver sheen to it. More than 200 species belong to the genus magnolia.
While magnolia trees are native to North and South America, they are also native to the Himalayan region, as well as East Asia. In Chinese culture, magnolias symbolize nobility and purity, while in Japan it represents dignity and perseverance. In the southern U.S. magnolia