Big Bend Calendar	Flower Phenology Record Of Typical First Bloom
March
Week#3 March	Crocus chrysanthus 'Cream Beauty' (Crocus) Crocus vernus 'Pickwick' (Crocus) Eranthus hyemalis (Winter Aconite) Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops) Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno' (Double Snowdrops) Helleborus niger (Black Hellebore) Helleborus purpurascens (Lenten Rose) Iris reticulata'Cantab' (Dwarf Iris) Narcissus 'Topolino' (Dwarf Daffodil) Last of snow typically melted.
Week#4 March	Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin' (Dwarf Iris) Muscari racemosum (Grape Hyacinth) Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill) Acer rubrum 'October Glory' (Red Maple)

Big Bend Calendar	Flower Phenology Record Of Typical First Bloom
April
Week#1 April	Daffodils (Daffodils) Hepatica acutiloba (Sharp Lobed Hepatica) Pulsatilla vulgaris (European Pasqueflower) First perennials potted up in garage.
Week#2 April	Hyacinthus orientalis (Hyacinth) Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot) Tulipa humilis (Dwarf Tulip) Andromeda polifolia (Bog Rosemary) Salix discolor (French Pussy Willow)
Week#3 April	Dicentra cucllaria (Dutchman's Breeches) Dicentra spectablis (Bleeding Hearts) Erythronium californicum (California Fawnlily) Fritillaria meleagris (Chequered Lily) Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke) Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells) Polemonium reptans (Jacob's Ladder) Pulmonaria saccharata (Bethlechem Lungwort) Trillium recurvatum (Prairie Trillium)
Week#4 April	Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugle) Dodecatheon meadia (Shooting Star) Erythronium americanum (Yellow Trout Lily) Fritillaria michailovskyi (Fritillaria) Iris bucharica (Juno Iris) Lamium maculatum 'Shell Pink'(Spotted Henbit, Red Dead Nettle) Amelanchier canadensis, (Serviceberry) Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny Serviceberry) Cercis canadensis (Redbud) Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia) Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia) Rhododendron carolinianum x dauricum (PJM Rhododendron) First fire pit brush burn of the season.

Big Bend Calendar	Flower Phenology Record Of Typical First Bloom
May
Week#1 May	Fern fiddleheads Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard - Invasive!) Arisaema triphyllium (Jack In The Pulpit) Claytonia virginia (Spring Beauty) Dicentra canadensis (Squirrel Corn) Iris pumila 'Blue Denim' (Dwarf Iris) Menyanthes trifoliata (Bogbean, Buckbean) Polygonatum biflorum (Giant Solomon's Seal) Primula veris (Cowslip) Stylophorum diphyllum (Celendine Poppy) Thalictrum dioicum (Early Meadow Rue) Tiarella (Foamflower) Trillium cernuum (Nodding Trillium) Trillium grandiflorum (White Trillium) Trillium luteum (Yellow Trillium) Uvularia grandiflora (Large Flowered Bellwort) Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue' (Creeping Speedwell) Viburnum carlesii (Korean Spice Viburnum) All houseplants moved from house to garage. HID lights turned off. First houseplants moved outside to shadehouse.
Week#2 May	Ruby Throated Hummingbird Arisaema sikokianum (Japanese Cobra Lily) Aquilegia canadensis (Columbine) Camassia quamash (Quamash) Centaurea mountana (Mountain Bluet) Geranium maculatum (Wild Geranium) Geum chiloense 'Mrs Bradshaw' (Geum) Lewisia cotyledon 'Sunset Strain' (Siskiyou Lewisia, Bitteroot) Lupinus perennis (Sundial Lupine) Maianthemum racemosum (False Solomon's Seal) Mazus reptans (Mazus) Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple) Ranunculus repens variety pleniflorus (Creeping Buttercup) Zizia aptera (Heartleaved Golden Alexander) Zizia aurea (Common Golden Alexander) Cotoneaster acutifolius (Peking Cotoneaster) Malus 'Donald Wyman', 'Prairifire', 'Profusion', 'Royalty', 'Snowdrift' (Flowering Crab) Quercus rubra (Red Oak) Rhododendron Candy Lights', 'Golden Lights', 'Northern Hi-Lights', 'Northern Lights', 'P.J.M.', ''Rosy Lights', 'Tutti Fritti', 'Westons Aglo', 'White Lights' (Azelea) Rhododendron yedoense 'Compact' (Korean Azalea) Sorbus aucuparia (European Mountain Ash) Spiraea vanhouttei (Bridal Wreath Spirea) Syringa vulgaris (Lilac) Viburnum lantana 'Mohican' (Wayfaring Tree) Viburnum lentago (Nannyberry) Viburnum opulus (Highbush Cranberry) Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum (Doublefile Viburnum) Viburnum trilobum (Highbush Cranberry)
Week#3 May	Indigo Bunting Actaea pachypoda (White Baneberry, Doll's Eyes) Actaea rubra (Red Baneberry) Actaea racemosa (Black Baneberry, Black Bugbane, Black Snakeroot) Allium christophii (Persian Onion) Allium nigrum 'Multibulbosum' (Black Garlic) Anemone sylvestris (Snowdrop Anemone) Arisaema urashima (Cobra Lily) Centranthus ruber (Jupiter's Beard) Coreopsis auriculata (Mouse-Ear Coreopsis) Geranium 'Johnsons Blue' (Geranium) Geranium macrorhizum 'Ingwerson's Variety' (Geranium) Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Cranesbill) Hesperis matronalis (Dames Rocket - Invasive!) Heuchera (Coral Bells) Iris pseudacorus (Pale Yellow Iris - Invasive!) Lewisia cotyledon x longipetala 'Little Plum' (Truckee Lewisia, Bitteroot) Maiantheum canadense (Canada Mayflower) Nectaroscordum siculum subspecies bulgaricum (Sicilian Honey Garlic) Polygonatum biflorum (Giant Solomon's Seal) Polygonatum humile (Dwarf Solomon's Seal) Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' (Solomon's Seal) Polygonatum pubescens (Solomon's Seal) Salvia nemorosa 'May Night' (Woodland Sage) Silene dioica 'Cliffords Moore' (Red Catchfly) Tradescantia virginiana (Red Cloud Spiderwort) Cornus stolonifera (Red Osier Dogwood) Pinus sylvestris (Scotch Pine, pollen) Weigela florida 'Java Red', 'Red Prince' (Weigela)
Week#4 May	Anacyclus depressus 'Garden Gnome' (Mount Atlas Daisy) Aquilegia alpina (Alpine Columbine) Armeria maritima 'Splendens' (Thrift Seapink) Aruncus diocus (Goatsbeard) Baptisia alba (White Wild Indigo) Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo) Baptisia bracteata (Longbract Wild Indigo, Creme Wild Indigo) Campanula persicifolia (Peachleaf Bellflower) Coreopsis auriculata 'Zamphir' (Fluted Coreopsis) Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise' (Early Sunrise Coreopsis) Delosperma nubigenum (Ice Plant) Dictamnus albus 'Albiflorus', 'Purpureus' (Gas Plant) Geranium 'Brookside' (Geranium) Geranium 'Phillipe Vapelle' (Geranium) Hieracium aurantiacum (Yellow Hawkweed - Invasive!) Iris siberica 'Caesars Brother' (Siberian Iris) Leucanthemum vulgare Syn: Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (Ox Eye Daisy) Linum usitatissimum (Blue Flax) Papaver orientale 'Allegro', 'Prince of Orange' (Oriental Poppy) Penstemon ovatus (Beardtongue) Phlox divaricata 'Mini Star', 'Plum Perfect' (Wild Blue Phlox) Polygonatum hirtum (Solomon's Seal) Rodgersia aesculifolia (Fingerleaf Rodgersia) Saxifraga pensylvanica (Eastern Swamp Saxifrage) Silene 'Deep Rose' (Catchfly) Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Blue-Eyed Grass) Tradescantia ohiensis (Ohio Spiderwort) Trollius cultorum 'Golden Queen' (Globe Flower) Veronica prostrata 'Heavenly Blue', 'Ice Blue' (Prostrate Speedwell)

Big Bend Calendar	Flower Phenology Record Of Typical First Bloom
June
Week#1 June	Astilbe 'Bridal Veil', 'Peach Blossom'(Astilbe) Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Overdam' (Feather Reed Grass) Clematis 'Multi Blue' (Clematis) Clematis recta 'Purpurea' (Clematis) Delphinium elatum 'Aurora Blue' (Delphinium) Dianthus 'Supra Purple' (Pinks) Digitalis ambigua 'Carillon' (Yellow Foxglove) Dracocephalum ruyschiana (Dragonhead) Filipendula ulmaria (Queen Of The Meadow, Meadow Sweet) Geranium cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' (Geranium) Iris siberica 'Snow Bounty', 'Pink Haze' (Siberian Iris) Juncus effusus 'Spiralis' (Curly Rush) Paeonia (Herbaceous Peony) Paeonia tenuifolia (Fernleaf Peony) Penstemon digitalis (Beardtongue) Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe' (Moss Phlox) Sedum reflexum (Jenny's Stonecrop) Valeriana officinalis (Garden Valerian) Veronica austriaca'Trehane'(Speedwell) Veronica spicata(Spiked Speedwell) Kalmia polifolia (Bog Laurel) Spiraea 'Gold Mound' (Gold Mound Spirea)
Week#2 June	Allium moly'Jeannine' (Lily Leek) Digitalis lanata (Grecian Foxglove) Echinaceae paradoxa (Bush's Yellow Coneflower) Echinaceae 'Orange Meadowbrite' (Coneflower) Geranium 'Patricia' (Geranium) Hemerocallis hybrida 'Stella de Oro' (Stella de Oro Daylily) Oenothera fruiticosa 'Youngii' (Sundrops) Opuntia humifusa (Prickly Pear Cactus) Myosotis scorpiodes semperflorens (Forget Me Not) Pinellia tripartia (Tripartite Green Dragon) Rodgersia aesculifolia (Rodgersia) Sedum dasyphyllum (Thickleaf Stonecrop) Trifolium rubens (Red Feather Clover) Veronica spicata 'Sunny Border Blue' (Spiked Speedwell) Calycanthus floridus variety glaucus 'Roy's Dark Red' (Eastern Sweetshrub)
Week#3 June	Achillea filipendulina 'Gold Plate' (Fernleaf Yarrow) Arisaema flavum (Cobra Lily) Aruncus aethusifolius (Dwarf Goatsbeard) Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) Astilbe arendsii 'Deutschland' (Astilbe) Astilbe japonica 'Vesuvius' (Astilbe) Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass) Echinaceae 'Summer Sky' (Coneflower) Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower) Iris ensata 'Cry Of Rejoice', 'Eden's Paintbrush', 'Eden's Picasso', 'Gracieuse', 'Innocence', 'Praise' (Japanese Iris) Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese Cross) Lychnis x Arkwrightii vesuvius (Arkwright Campion) Lysimachia punctata (Yellow Loosestrife) Nepeta subsessilis (Catmint) Ruellia humilis (Fringeleaf Wild Petunia) (Hollyhock) Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Week#4 June	Allium sphaerocephalum (Drumstick Allium) Astilbe japonica 'Red Sentinal', 'Elisabeth' (Astilbe) Astilbe Thunii 'Ostrich Plume', 'Straussenfeder' (Astilbe) Astrantia major 'Rubra' (Red Masterwort) Calamintha grandiflora 'Variegata' (Variegated Catmint) Campanula punctata 'Cherry Bells' (Bellflower) Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam', 'Zagreb' (Tickseed) Delosperma cooperi (Ice Plant) Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly' (Siberian Larkspur) Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' (White Coneflower) Erigeron hybrid 'Prosperity' (Dwarf Fleabane) Euphorium corollata (Flowering Spurge) Filipendula ulmaria 'Variegata' (Meadow Sweet) Gaura lindheimeri 'Pink Fountain' (Gaura) Geranium pratense 'Hocus Pocus' (Geranium) Hemerocallis hybrid 'Nigrette', 'Summer Wine', 'Welchkins' (Daylily) Hosta hybrids (white flowering) (Hosta) Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' (Lavender) Leucanthemum superbum 'Tinkerbelle', 'Alaska', 'Wirral Pride' (Shasta Daisy) Ligularia przewalskii (Shavalski's Ligularia) Lysimachia ciliata 'Fire Cracker' (Fringed Loosestrife) Monarda didyma 'Cambridge Scarlet' (Beebalm) Penstemon barbatus var coccineus (Beardtongue) Phlox paniculata 'Little Boy' (Fall Phlox) Platycodon grandiflorus 'Sentimental Blue' (Dwarf Balloon Flower) Rudbeckia hirta (Blackeyed Susan) Scabiosa columbaria 'Pink Mist' (Pincushion Flower) Sedum kamtschaticum 'Varigatum' (Stonecrop) Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo', 'Rosea' (Betony) Thalictrum kiusianum (Dwarf Meadow Rue) Hypericum prolificum (St. Johnswort) Tilia cordata (Littleleaf Linden)

Big Bend Calendar	Flower Phenology Record Of Typical First Bloom
July
Week#1 July	Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) Astilbe 'Rhineland'(Astilbe) Buddelia (Butterfly Bush) Chasmanthium latifolium (Indian Woodoats) Echinaceae purpurea (Eastern Purple Coneflower) Filipendula rubra (Queen Of The Prairie) Hosta hybrids (violet flowering) (Hosta) Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket' (Leopard Plant) Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) Rudbeckia triloba (Browneyed Susan) Silene regia (Royal Catchfly) Stachys monieri (Betony) Stokesia laevis (Stokes Aster) Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's Root) Vernonia fasciculata (Prairie Ironweed) Yucca flaccida (Adam's Needle)
Week#2 July	Calamintha nepeta 'Montrose White' (Lesser Calamint) Dalea purpurea (Purple Prairie Clover) Echinaceae hybrid 'Harvest Moon', 'Sunrise' (Coneflower) Echinaceae purpurea 'Razzmataz' (Eastern Purple Coneflower) Echinaceae tennesseensis (Tennessee Coneflower) Eupatorium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed) Gentiana dahurica (Gentian) Liatris spicata (Dense Blazing Star) Lilium hybrid 'Luxor'(Asiatic Lily) Macleaya cordata (Plume Poppy) Macleaya cordata (Plume Poppy) Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Longin'(Russian Sage) Ratibida pinnata (Pinnate Prairie Coneflower) Syneilesis aconitifolia (Shredded Umbrella Plant)
Week#3 July	Amorpha canescens (Lead Plant) Echinaceae hybrid 'Twilight' (Coneflower) Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master) Origanum laevigatum 'Herrenhausen', 'Rosenkoppel' (Marjoram) Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal', 'Shenendoah' (Switchgrass) Silphium integrifolium (Wholeleaf Rosinweed) Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant) Solidago canadensis 'Baby Gold' ( Dwarf Goldenrod) Solidaster luteus 'Lemore' (Solidaster) Sporobulus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed) Veronica spicata 'Sunny Border Blue' (Speedwell) (Mountain Mint) Lespedeza bicolor (Shrub Lespedeza) First tomatoes picked.
Week#4 July	Allium cernuum (Nodding Wild Onion) Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) Campanula carpatica 'White Clips' (Carpathian Bellflower) Coreopsis tripteris (Tall Tickseed) Eupatorium maculatum (Spotted Joe Pye Weed) Helenium autumnale (Common Sneezeweed) Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) Parthenium integrifolium (Wild Quinine) Patrinia scabiosifolia (Patrina) Pycnanthemum virginianaum (Virginia Mountain Mint) Silphium lacinatum (Compass Plant) Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock) Hibiscus syriacus 'Red Heart', 'Woodbridge'(Rose of Sharon)

Big Bend Calendar	Flower Phenology Record Of Typical First Bloom
August
Week#1 August	Anemone vitifolia 'Robustissima'(Japanese Anemone) Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey Tea) Dendranthema hybrid 'White', 'Yellow Quill' (My Favorite Mums) Filipendula hexapetala 'Kakome' (Dwarf Filipendula) Liatris ligulistylis (Rocky Mountain Blazing Star) Ligularia dentata 'Othello', 'Desdemona' (Bigleaf Goldenray) Lobelia x gerardii siphilitica x cardinalis (Blue Lobelia) Scutellaria suffrutescens (Cherry Skullcap) Silene schafta (Campion) Solidago canadensis (Canada Goldenrod) Solidago rigida (Stiff Goldenrod) Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) Pick Tomatoes
Week#2 August	Chelone oblique (Red Turtlehead) Liatris borealis (Blazing Star) Senna hebecarpa (America Senna)
Week#3 August	Chelone lyonii ?? (Pink Turtlehead) Penstemon () Solidago caesia (Wreath Goldenrod, Blue-stemmed Goldenrod)
Week#4 August	Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) Sedum spectabile 'Brilliant' (Stonecrop) Rhus hirta (Staghorn Sumac)

Big Bend Calendar	Flower Phenology Record Of Typical First Bloom
September
Week#1 September	Dendranthema hybrid 'Pink' (My Favorite Mums) Physostegia virginiana (Obedient Plant) Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod)
Week#2 September	Allium senescens var. glaucum (German Garlic) Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster) Sedum alboroseum 'Mediovarigatum' (Stonecrop) Sedum hybrid 'Frosty Morn' (Stonecrop) Sedum spectabile 'Autumn Joy' (Stonecrop) Solidago hybrid 'Gold Spangles' (Gold Spangles Goldenrod)
Week#3 September	Colchicum autumnale x speciosum 'Waterlily' (Autumn Crocus)
Week#4 September	Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' (syn: Ageratina altissima) (White Snakeroot) Tricytis flava x ohsumiensis 'Lemon Twist' (Toad Lily) Tricytis formosana 'Empress', 'Guilty Pleasure' (Toad Lily) Tricytis ohsumiensis (Toad Lily)

Big Bend Calendar	Flower Phenology Record Of Typical First Bloom
October
Week#1 October	Spiranthes cernua (Nodding Lady's Tresses Orchid) Tricytis hirta 'Tojen', 'Variegata' (Toad Lily)
Week#2 October	Frost! All houseplants moved to garage. HID lights turned on.

Seed Starting Dates for Big Bend, Wisconsin.

Big Bend Calendar	Start Seeds Based On Average Frost Date
Minus 12 Weeks February 10	Start Seeds: Delphinium 'Aurora Blue'
Minus 11 Weeks February 17	Start Seeds:
Minus 10 Weeks February 24	Start Seeds: Salvia 'Lady In Red' (Salvia coccinea) Pot Up: Cannas
Minus 9 Weeks March 2	Start Seeds: Butterfly Weed (Asclepias curassavica), Coleus 'Wizard Mosaic', Dahlia 'Star Gazer', Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea), Dianthus 'Supra Purple', Impatiens 'Carousel Salmon Shades' and 'Java Coral Flame', Prairie Blazinfstar (Liatris pycnostachya), Lobelia 'Riviera Blue Splash', Salvia 'Evolution', Stocks 'Ten Week Mixture', Vinca 'Jaio Dark Red',
Minus 8 Weeks March 9	Start Seeds: Leadplant (Amorpha canescens), Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), Fritillaria acmopetala, Globe Amaranth 'Strawberry Fields' (Gomphrena haageana) and 'Gnome Pink', Lupine (Lupinus perennis) ,Marigold, Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) and 'Perfume Deep Purple', Pinellia tripartita, Yellow Coneflower (Ratbida pinnata), Salvia 'Coral Nymph'
Minus 7 Weeks March 16
Minus 6 Weeks March 23	Start Seeds: Hot Pepper (plant outdoors June 1), Head Lettuce
Minus 5 Weeks March 30	Start Seeds: Tomato (plant outdoors May 18)
Minus 4 Weeks April 6	Start Seeds: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), French Marigold (Tagetes patula), Zinnia elegans
Minus 3 Weeks April 13
Minus 2 Weeks April 20	Direct Sow: Beets, Carrots, Chard, Kohlrabi, Leaf Lettuce, Onion Sets, Pak Choi, Peas, Potato Tubers, Radishes, Spinach
Minus 1 Week April 27
Last Frost Date May 4	Direct sow: Nasturtium, Sunflower, Swiss Chard, Winter Squash, Zinnia (Swizzle Cherry & Ivory) (Chippendale Daisy), Zucchini
Plus 1 Week May 11	Plant Sale Week.
Plus 2 Weeks May 18	Plant tomatoes in the garden. (ready to harvest in August 1)
Plus 3 Weeks May 25	Plant Sale Week
Plus 4 Weeks June 1	Plant Peppers in the garden. (ready to harvest in July 20)

Narrative of our garden.