Flower Factory

Last year, I’d hit this place on my way home from the Madison farmer’s market. I believe I used them to contribute several different varieties of Lilies to my Lily Patch, picked up a few miscellaneous perennials (Spiderworts, Delphiniums, others).
It’s just a wonderful place to meander around, see plants firsthand I’ve only seen online or in books, get ideas on arrangements, and fuel my gardening engine.
Only one of the twenty-​or-​so plants I bought here is an under-​performer. If you garden, you know that’s a pretty damn fine ratio.
Loses one star for two reasons.
1) Prices on many plants have increased from last year too much. $ 5 or $ 6 increased to $ 7.50 might seem small because it’s only $ 2.50, but that’s a 50% increase and I’m missing the reasoning. $ 20 used to get me three or four plants, now it’s two. It’s caused some of the perennials to fall into the $$$ range when they used to be $.
2) Staff is helpful, and that’s groovy. A couple of them, however, have turned otherwise pleasant conversations rather unpleasant when told things they don’t agree with — things that aren’t a matter of opinion. Gals, I love ya, but Trumpet Creeper clings to masonry and Kentucky Wisteria does perfectly fine in full sun. It’s not a contest. I fully accept that you’ve spent more time with dirty hands than I have. Reference material is often incorrect, and often used as a source to make more reference material. Now put down the knife and back away slowly.
Solid ⁴⁄₅. Will go again, will continue to disagree with misinformation because I’m a people person.

One plant, Two plant
Red plant, Blue plant
My, oh my, what a lot of plants there are!
Yes, the Flower Factory carries a freakishly large inventory of plants and is my go to nursery for herbaceous perennials. The plants are well tended and fairly priced. Their stock is organized by their Latin names, but if you have trouble finding one of the 3,000 perennials they carry, the knowledgeable staff members will point you in the right direction. On sunny May weekends the place is a bit of a madhouse, so allow yourself some extra time if you visit during peak times.
On the times that I’ve dragged my daughter out there, she’s kept herself entertained watching the garden train and playing in the massive sandbox.
If you don’t want to make the pilgrimage to rural Stoughton, you can visit them at the Madison Farmers Market across from the Starbucks. But if you love perennials, it’s worth making the long drive.
One final tip. Avoid their porta-​potty at all costs, especially on warm May weekends. Narsty with a capital N.

The best selection of native and non-​native flowers I have found in southern Wisconsin amidst some pretty lovely landscaping. Bring along your Latin genus & species names for easy look-​up. Staff is especially available during the weekdays for any questions (perhaps a little less so on warm weekend days in spring). Nice set of reference books also available for perusal in one of the hoop houses. I was told by a staff person that they do not have sales, but their plants are always healthy and are often rare finds.