South Wood County Historical Museum, 540 3rd Street South

Originally the home of banker and papermaker, Isaac P Witter and his wife, Charlotte, the museum is situated on a hill overlooking the Wisconsin River.

A dozen garden beds surround this 1907 historical building, with changing vistas and mood depending on the interplay of sun and shade. Since 1996’s master landscaping plan, Wood County Master Gardeners have designed and maintained these gardens. This site is a good example of the layering effect of trees, large shrubs, small shrubs, herbaceous perennials, bulbs, and annuals. Educational signage related to gardening and plants help the visitors identify plants of interest.

Third Street Main Entrance Garden

Bordering the sidewalk on Third Street, passerbys are greeted by a classic, colorful border planted with perennials, shrubs, annuals, and spring bulbs for three season interest. Beds at the base of the Neo Classical Porch feature on each side of the wide staircase. This spot is a favorite for post-wedding, pre-prom, and Senior picture photo shoots.

South Side Allée

Large, old trees on the lot line provide a shaded walk lined with hosta and hydrangeas. In the spring, blooms of blue Scilla bulbs accent the beds. As the allée opens to the back yard, an alcove and bench memorialize Wood County Master Gardener Volunteer, Nancy Alger. This shady spot, accented with cimicifuga, hosta, Solomon’s seal, Redbud trees, Annabelle hydrangeas, ferns, Phlox, iris, spirea, and pulmonaria overlooks the river for a quiet, meditative setting.

Center Island

A honey locus tree is the focal point of this bed with lilac, weigela, Joe Pye Weed, Annabelle hydrangea, peonies, Autumn Joy sedum, hardy geraniums, astilbe, grasses and pulmonaria.

Sculpture Garden

A Jim Lucas metal sculpture is the centerpiece of the daylily garden on the north side of the back yard. this bed is brilliant show of color during July and August. The backside is planted with seed and perennials moved from other parts of the property as gardens were replanted into grass.

North and West side of the Mansion

The Portico side, on the North, is shady and features Hakone grasses, hosta, foam flower, Solomon seal, royal fern with large weigela and hydrangea shrubs. The afternoon and setting sun on the west side bathes Miss Kim lilac, coreopsis, sedums & other perennials, arbor vitae, and the old apple tree.

South Wood County Historical Museum website.

Wisconsin Rapids Community Gardens, Corner of Hill and Spruce Streets

Since 2013,  “Growing Friends” has helped Wisconsin Rapids residents get “back to nature” in the middle of the city.  Master Gardeners have been involved since the beginning and serve their community by teaching and supporting local citizens working on their own food security.  Some of them gardened long ago, at the foot of a beloved grandmother; some of them are gardening for the first time. Master Gardeners host teaching sessions, answer questions, and help provide solutions to gardening problems that arise over the growing season. In addition, our MGs plant and maintain demonstrations gardens that are used for education.  The produce harvested from these gardens are donated to the local food programs.