Gardening in Madison (Birch, Maple: garden, moving to, yard)

[Pulford]

We are moving to Madison from the Pacific Northwest and, as our current garden blooms with rhodedendrons, fig trees and bamboo we are starting to wonder how different our gardening experiences will be next summer. Thus far, all our trips to Madison have been in November through March, and so it was hard to get a sense of what the city looks like in bloom.
So are there any gardeners out there who can point us towards a good book for gardening in Madison. Out here in the west the Sunset Western Garden Book gives a run-through of everything that grows here. Is there an equivalent for the midwest?

[dlk33]

Just check into plants that do well through zone 4. Madison is in zone 4. There are lots of planting options for you here. No fig trees or bamboo, won't survive outside during the winter. We do have rhodedendrons though You could request a seed catalog from Jung Nursery, that might help. Or, you should be able to research it on the internet. I have a yard full of different planting areas with different things growing throughout the year. There are plenty choices for trees, shrubs, perennials & annuals, as well as herbs to choose from

[Chelito23]

There are MANY beutiful floering plants, trees and shrubs that do well here. The soil is fertile and moisture is evenly distributed. This adds an incredible lushness to the landscpae in the summer here, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Don't try to recreate the PNW garden in Wisconsin. You will be frustrated and will have to learn a lot of lessons over again gardening here. The season is short, but very rewarding.

My personal favorites are lilac bushes, Catalpa and River Birch trees. The Sugar Maples are also beautiful trees.

You are in for a surprise when you vist or move here between May and September.

[Pulford]

Thank you for your replies. I'll check out Jung nursery... and catalpa trees.