About Us

Hidden away in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, a trip to Winter Greenhouse is well worth the drive. Here you can experience the beauty and serenity of rural Wisconsin, and still benefit from the huge selection of high quality plants and new products usually found only in larger cities.

Winter Greenhouse has been featured in TravelWISCONSIN.com as one of the top 15 places in Wisconsin "to Stop and Smell the Roses, Lilacs and Other Blooming Wonders".

The Greenhouse started over 25 years ago with a group of Danish, German and Canadian immigrants. In the first few years they commuted daily to the town of Ladysmith to sell bedding plants in the spring. Side by side they built up a large selection of hardy perennials and nursery stock, along with unusual and interesting annuals, herbs, vegetables, and more. Eventually, with the development of many display gardens and an increasing number of greenhouses, it has become a destination enjoyed by plant lovers from far and near throughout the seasons.

To make your garden experience successful and enjoyable, you will find a selection of plants as diverse as each garden enthusiast who visits.

The selection of hardy perennials includes over 1000 varieties, to fit your specific garden needs: shade, sun, sandy, wet, even deer resistant. The assortment of annuals, roses, herbs, water plants, exotics, and wildflowers is equally as extensive and includes many hard-to-find varieties. Each year you will find many new and improved varieties from Proven Winners, AAS Selections, Perennial Plants of the Year and other award winners.

The nursery area contains trees and shrubs, hardy to our area, including evergreens, ornamental & fruit trees, small fruits, flowering shrubs and climbing vines. The greenhouse staff is skilled and focused on helping you find exactly what you want and getting the results you need.

Our many display garden give people a good idea of how plants look at maturity and in combination with other plants. Areas for full-sun to full-shade, rock gardens, herb gardens and groundcovers have been developed over the years. The center island bed contains a bog bed area and waterfall which cascades down into a full-sized pond where you can watch the fish swim and frogs sunbathe. It may require several visits throughout the season as the gardens are constantly changing and being revised to feature new plants and trial varieties for hardiness and vigor. Various garden features have been added, including a pondless waterfall and bubbling rock.

Numerous paths lead you through the woodland garden where you will find a large collection of mature hostas, as well as hundreds of other shade-loving perennials, grasses, shrubs and wildflowers.

Come in the spring to see Virginia blue-bells, trillium, and trout lilies, as well as masses of daffodils and tulips. As the season progresses, you will find plants that combine and provide texture, color and interest until the snow flies. Beautiful foliage, like bronzy or caramel heuchera, variegated solomon's seal and blue hosta make the need for flowers incidental. However, for additional color and fragrance, you will find astilbe, tiarella and giant cimicifuga. Being able to see these plants in combination and at full maturity makes it easier to make choices for your own back yard.

Thousands of different combination planters and hanging baskets are produced each year, ranging in size from 8" to 36" for sun and shade, and utilizing a variety of plants. The selection includes huge moss baskets overflowing with Proven Winner annuals, herb planters, container water gardens, and hundreds of mixed planters combining annuals and perennials, grasses or tropical plants. Pick from seasonal planters for Mothers Day, filled with colorful flowers like pansies, begonias, mini-roses, or decorate for fall with containers of mums, asters, grasses, and other fall blooming plants.

Miniature/Fairy Gardens have become a new and fun addition. Each design is a little different and includes a variety of plants and accessories. Designs may be quite simple, with just a few plants and a bench, or very elaborate with paths, ponds, a cottage and quite possibly a fairy.

Baskets and containers can be made to order by calling or e-mailing us, or attending one of our workshops to create your own.

We make a concerted effort to provide new and unusual products and displays. One of the most unique features you will find here is an indoor waterfall and pond. Located in House 1, you can enjoy listening to the water cascading over the rocks as you watch the fish swimming about. You can also check out the large variety of water and bog plants on display. In the display garden you will see other unique water features, including a pondless waterfall and a bubbling rock. These are permanently installed so you can see them in natural settings, with plants, trees and lighting systems.

Our friendly, energetic and dedicated staff is available to help in any way they can. They can assist in choosing the proper plants for your particular area, demonstrate container planting or pruning trees, and answer questions about bugs, plant diseases, or amending your soil.

Our professional and creative landscape design and installation team will provide assistance through all stages of your landscape project. From shoreline restoration to rain gardens, foundation plantings to entire landscape renovations, the crew will help turn your landscape from barren into beautiful. The process begins with initial design consultation and master plan preparation, and continues right through follow-up maintenance.

Beginning with a Bareroot Sale in April, there are a number of special events throughout the season that feature seminars and workshops, sales, and refreshments. It is a good opportunity to get to know the staff and at the same time add to your gardening skills. Check this website for regular updates, or sign up for our e-newsletter to be notified of any upcoming events.

Winter Greenhouse takes a keen interest in the local community, keeping up active membership in the Winter and Hayward Chambers of Commerce, planting and maintaining town flower beds, providing plants to the local school and community parks, and providing flowers and produce to the Winter Senior Citizen Center. We have also been instrumental in the beautifying Main Street in Winter project, planting ornamental trees and providing flowers for the Main Street planters.