Learn About Plants

The following plant lectures are available for purchase by garden clubs, botanical gardens, and garden centers. Contact us for availablity of dates.

Contact Us Krischan Photography
S78 W22750 Terrace Drive
Big Bend, WI 53103-9661
Email: form mail
Phone: (262) 662-3319

Lecture Rates $150 - $225 per presentation
$0.585 per round trip mile driven
overnight lodging and breakfast, if over 100 miles
plants must be purchased in advance if you wish specimens at the presentation
... orchids $20 to $30 each, carnivorous plants $15 to $25, ferns $15 to $25
... specimens are yours to keep, give away, or resell to members of your group

Lecture #201: Introduction to Tropical Orchids

Learn how to grow tropical orchids in your home. Don't be intimidated. You too can successfully raise these exotic plants. This lecture cover such topics as what types of orchids are available, selection guidelines, growing conditions, light and watering, care and feeding, pest cures, and more.

Lecture #202: Carnivores in the Garden

Learn how to grow carnivorous plants in your garden. The presentation will explore the beauty and variety of this unique class of plants. It will teach you the technique of constructing an artificial bog and establishing a year round special habitat for growing temperate carnivorous plants. Also discover how to move your semi-tropical carnivorous houseplants outdoors for a much needed summer vacation. The talk will discuss the types of carnivorous plants that are available, selection guidelines, growing conditions, overwintering, light and watering, care and feeding, pest cures, and more.

Lecture #203: Primitive Plants - Ferns

Learn how to grow ferns. This lecture will cover growing ferns as houseplants and growing ferns in your garden. Twelve native fern species and twelve exotic ferns for the garden will be featured. The talk will discuss the types of ferns available, selection guidelines, fern anatomy, growing conditions, light and watering, care and feeding, pest cures, and more.

Lecture #204: Perennials for Shade Gardens

Shade gardens offer a wonderful area to escape the heat of summer. Learn about the large variety of plants that thrive in your shade garden environment. This lecture will cover growing both native and exotic perennials. Twelve native native species and twelve exotic species will be featured. The talk will discuss the types of perennials that are available, selection guidelines, growing conditions, light and watering, care and feeding, pest cures, and more.

Lecture #205: Creating a Prairie in Your Backyard

Prairie once covered great expansive sections of the Midwest. Today, we are left with only a scattered number of prairie renmants. But if you have a full sun location, you can easily create a prairie in your backyard. My favorite prairie plants include Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo), Echinacea purpurea (Eastern Purple Coneflower), Eupatorium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye-Weed), Ratibida pinnata (Pinnate Prairie Coneflower), Ruellia humilis (Fringeleaf Wild Petunia), Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock), and many more. Learn to distinguish between local native species and other regional prairie species (native, but not local). This lecture will cover growing twenty native prairie forbs and five prairie grasses. The talk will examine the prairie species that are available, selection guidelines, growing conditions, light and watering, care and feeding, pest cures, and more.

Lecture #206: Butterfly Gardens

There is nothing more fascinating, for both children and adults, then the flutter of butterfly wings in the garden. Hot summer days are the peak time for seeing butterflies. Learn how to build a special butterfly garden and how to grow the top necture plant. You will learn about favorite plants to attract butterflies, such as, Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush), Echinacea purpurea (Eastern Purple Coneflower), Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed), Liatris ligulistylis (Rocky Mountain Blazing Star), Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot), Zinnia elegans (Zinnia), and many more. This lecture will cover growing twelve necture plants and three host plants. The talk will discuss which butterfly plants that are available as seedlings or seeds, selection guidelines, growing conditions, light and watering, care and feeding, pest cures, and more.


In their backyard prairie. Garden photographer Donna, wandering botanist Tom, and protector of the gardens Heather (rabbits fear her).

About The Speaker: Tom Krischan
- Garden Writer and Botanist

    Read Tom Krischan's Articles.
    He writes about plants for these publications:
  • Milwaukee Home Magazine
  • Northern Gardener Magazine
  • Chicagoland Gardening Magazine
  • Birds & Blooms Magazine
  • Chicago Wilderness Magazine
  • Ponds Magazine
  • Flower Gardens Magazine
  • Mukwonago Chief Newspaper

  1. Read Donna & Tom Krischan's article, "Blowin' in the Wind", in the July 2010 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  2. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "What's Bugging You", in the June 2010 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  3. Read Donna & Tom Krischan's article, "Hip to be Square", in the 2010 Grow Veggies special issue of Birds & Bloom Magazine.

  4. Read Donna & Tom Krischan's article, "Sow Seeds of Unity", in the 2010 Grow Veggies special issue of Birds & Bloom Magazine.

  5. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Top Picks for Flower Trees", in the May 2010 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  6. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Lilies", in the April 2010 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  7. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Herbs", in the March 2010 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  8. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Emergence (Dwarf Iris)", in the February 2010 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  9. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Hardy Houseplants", in the January 2010 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  10. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "A Prairie Home", in the November / December 2009 issue of Northern Gardener Magazine.

  11. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Winter Blooms", in the December 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  12. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Going Batty", in the October 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  13. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Little Wings", in the September/October 2009 issue of Northern Gardener Magazine.

  14. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Hosta La Vista, Guacamole!", in the September 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  15. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Bog Gardens", in the July 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  16. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Low Maintenance Gardens", in the June 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  17. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Building a Bog Garden", in the July / August 2009 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

  18. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Trial and Error", in the May 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  19. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "For the Birds", in the April 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  20. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Vernon encourages Natural Landscapes", in the March 24, 2009, issue of Mukwonago Chief newspaper.

  21. Read Tom & Donna Krischan's article, "Flowers in Winter", in the March 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  22. Read Donna Krischan's article, "Accessorize", in the February 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  23. Read Donna Krischan's article, "Favorite Things", in the February 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  24. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Annual Pleasures", in the January 2009 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  25. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Neato Technito. Mike Yanny Reinvents the Evergreen", in the December 2008 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  26. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Lasting Legacy. Hybridizer Bill Radler Reinvents the Rose", in the November 2008 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  27. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Easy Does It", in the November/December 2008 issue of Northern Gardener Magazine.

  28. Read Tom Krischan's article, "It Ain't Over", in the October 2008 issue of Milwaukee Home & Fine Living Magazine.

  29. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Pennies From Heaven", in the 2008/2009 Ultimate Home Guide issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  30. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Let's Get Small", in the September 2008 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  31. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Tropical Wisconsin", in the July/August 2008 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  32. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Garlic mustard weed threatens local wildflowers", in the May 28th 2008 issue of the Mukwonago Chief newspaper.

  33. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Woodland Wildflowers", in the June 2008 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  34. Read Tom Krischan's article, "The Lesser Astilbes", in the March/April 2008 issue of Northern Gardener Magazine.

  35. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Orchids A to Zedd", in the March/April 2008 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  36. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Orchids", in the February/March 2008 issue of Birds & Blooms Magazine.

  37. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Windowsill Carnivores", in the January/February 2008 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

  38. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Butterfly Gardens", in the August 2007 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  39. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Space Invaders" (Garden Weeds), in the August 2007 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  40. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Garden Carnivores", in the Summer 2007 issue of Ponds Magazine.

  41. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Fertile Ferns", in the January/February 2007 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  42. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Advanced Orchids", in the November/December 2006 issue of Northern Gardener Magazine.

  43. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Orchid Obsession", in the September/October 2006 issue of Northern Gardener Magazine.

  44. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Botanist With The Blues", in the July/August 2006 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  45. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Butterfly Weed", in the Summer 2006 issue of Chicago Wilderness Magazine.

  46. Read Tom Krischan's article, "If At First You Don't Succeed", in the May/June 2006 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine. An interview with intersectional peony expert Roger Anderson.

  47. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Blooming Large", in the February 2006 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  48. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Nonstop Border Color For Midwest Climates", in the 2005 issue of Flower Gardens Magazine.

  49. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Corkscrew Lady Slippers", in the January/February 2005 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

  50. Read Tom Krischan's article, "The Enchanting Orchid", in the January/February 2005 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  51. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Poinsettia Power", in the November/December 2004 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

  52. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Plant Posturing", in the November/December 2004 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine.

  53. Read Tom Krischan's article, "For The People", in the September/October 2004 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

  54. Read Tom Krischan's article, "You Can't Grow Bananas Here", in the July/August 2004 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

  55. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Bill Radler Scores a Knock Out", in the May/June 2004 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine. An interview with rose expert Bill Radler.

  56. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Field of Blooms - Northwind Perennial Farm", in the May/June 2004 issue of Milwaukee Home Magazine. An interview with perennial plant expert Roy Diblik.

  57. Read Tom Krischan's article, "The Trillium Sanctuary", in the May/June 2003 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

  58. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Zedd the Vizsla Chomped his First Orchid", in the March/April 2003 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

  59. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Let There Be Light", in the November/December 2002 issue of Chicagoland Gardening Magazine.

  60. Read Tom Krischan's article, "Perennial Favorites", in the 2001 issue of Flower Gardens Magazine.

Bio: Tom Krischan

Tom Krischan is a garden writer and wandering botanist. He is a monthly co-columnist for Milwaukee Home and Fine Living magazine. His garden articles frequently appear in Northern Gardener, Birds & Blooms, Chicagoland Gardening, Chicago Wilderness, Ponds Magazine, Flower Gardens, and the Mukwonago Chief. His botanical interests include re-establishing native plant communities in backyards, trialling newly introduced plant varieties, and propagating rare and endangered plants. Tom grows carnivorous plants outdoors in his man-made bog and tends his 1 acre flower garden in Big Bend, Wisconsin, with his wife and Vizsla dogs. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Conservation, Master's Degree in Botany, and PhD.

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Bio: Donna Krischan

Donna Krischan is a garden photographer and writer. Her photographs have appeared in numerous magazines, calendars and books. She and her husband Tom write the In the Garden column for Milwaukee Home and Fine Living magazine. They tend a 1 acre flower and vegetable garden in Big Bend, Wisconsin with their Vizsla dogs - Heather and Zedd.

Text listed on this page is intended to be used in announcing our event to your members. Feel free to "copy and paste" whatever text on this page that you find useful.


Wautoma Newspaper 10-23-2006


Wautoma Newspaper 10-23-2006

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