Community Corner

Village Wants to Know, What's Your Favorite Native Plant in Shorewood?

Enter the Shorewood Waters Project's contest where residents can vote for their favorite native plant in the village and be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate good at the Garden Room or a case of Big Bay Brewing beer or soda.

Shorewood has an official annual plant — the zinnia — but what about a native plant?

Well, there isn't one — yet. The Shorewood Waters Project is coordinating an effort to find Shorewood resident’s favorite native plant and fill the gaps of knowledge about natives and their benefits to improve water quality, reduce flooding and easily beautify your garden.

Shorewood’s Native Plant Contest kicked off at last Saturday’s Conservation Fair at . Voters can choose from one of six varieties of plants online or at most events in Shorewood until August 1.

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Voters will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate good at the , a case of beer or soda and six of the winning plants.

So, what are and why use natives? For starters, natives are the plants and trees that were here before immigrants brought plants and seeds from far away places starting in the 1700’s. Natives have adapted to the local climate and soil conditions and easily thrive in the area. Here’s a half dozen good reasons to use them:

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  • They’re beautiful and make it easier to be a successful gardener. 
  • They’re hardy and grow well with little care, watering and use of pesticides — so, they’re more time and cost-effective.
  • They attract birds, butterflies and bees, and provide them habitat and food. Bees are our important pollinator of fruits and vegetables.
  • They reduce erosion and flooding and their deep roots hold moisture in the soil.
  • They save energy. Less use of fossil fuels for transportation of non-natives and less energy with less water use — it takes energy to move water.
  • They’re rewarding in simple beauty and preserving our natural heritage of a diversity of plant and tree species.    

What are Shorewood’s natives? Visit the Shorewood Waters Project website for more details and retailers.

You can also check-out the great events planned in Shorewood this summer and fall including canoe and kayak trips down the Milwaukee River, fly fishing, river walks (yes, in the river), Lake Michigan boat tours and another visit from local historian John Gurda on Milwaukee and Shorewood’s Green Spaces.


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