Written by Alex | June 12, 2014 | 2014 NewslettersNewsletter Tags: flowers, Gardening, jokes, recipies, stories
Happy Father’s Day
Newsletter 17 – Thursday, June 12, 2014
Current Hours
Cottage Grove – open Mon-Fri 9-8, Sat and Sun 9-6.
Edgerton open Mon-Fri 8:30-6, Sat 8:30-6, Sun 9-4.
When a father gives to his son, both laugh;
when a son gives to his father, both cry.
William Shakespeare
Lucys Story – Chapter 53
I am one really, really cool dog! Please, before you take this the wrong way, let me explain.
Last week my mom and dad had been teasing me with clues about a big surprise for me. Wow, they werent just a kidding! I gotta tell you about this!
On the deck the other day I couldnt figure out what the heck my mom was doing. She poured water into a flat thingy and then slowly rubbed it with her hands. Then she called me over. I sniffed it, looked at it and then looked up at my mom quizzically.
Okay, so now what?
We just stared at one another for a while, and then my mom laid down next to this thing.
Oh, this should be good. I thought to myself.
Then my mom said my name and patted this thing with her hand. I was a little hesitant, but, well, Id go to the moon for my mom, so, I bravely stepped forward.
It felt kinda weird, but in a good way, ya know what I mean? It was soft and cool and then, well, I got it! I did the usual pre-lay down circle and slowly lowered myself to blissful coolness. And that, my friends, is where I stayed for the rest of the very warm afternoon.
And theres more! I not only have the cooling mat on the deck under the shade of the lilac tree, but I have one in the house too!
Some people may say Im spoiled, but my take on it is that Im really, really loved!
~Lucy
Thanks to everyone that entered our guess Lucys surprise contest on Facebook! The correct answer is a cooling mat. Christina guessed correctly and is the winner of our $25 Americas Best Flowers gift card.
~Till next time,
Shirley
Happy Fathers Day!
Hey Dad, bring the family out to America’s Best Flowers this weekend and the Schoeps ice cream is on us!
Something a Dad would never say:
Well, how bout that…Im lost!
Well have to stop and ask for directions.
Perennial of the Week Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’

This is a reprint of an article written by Ilene Isenberg in 2010.
Ilene, our former perennial manager, passed away in December, 2011
Bright yellow petals and dark brown cone-shaped centers make Rudbeckia (rood-BECK-ee-ah) a perennial that’s hard to miss. These tough and versatile sun-loving plants are native to meadows in much of the country and flourish in like conditions – well-drained, mostly dry and not too good soil. These "Black-Eyed Susans" will even tolerate partial shade and brighten the back of a bed or border.
Of special interest is "Goldsturm" a variety noted for its stunning three inch flowers of deep gold and three month-long bloom time. This variety has so impressed gardeners that it was named Plant of the Year in 1999 by the Perennial Plant Association.
You need this plant in your landscape! Make a mass planting to attract birds and butterflies. Combine it with Russian sage and asters, sedums and grasses for a swath of color into autumn. And the best part is that Goldsturm is 20% off its regular price at America’s Best Flowers. Run, don’t walk, to add this abundant bloomer to your life.
Another thing a Dad would never say:
Heres a credit card and keys to my new car GO CRAZY!
Pond Scum Be Gone!

Water Hyacinth
We just received a shipment of fresh water hyacinth and water lettuce. These valuable additions to your pond oxygenate the water and they also provide spawning ground and hiding places for tenants of your pond (aka fish and frogs). Stop on out and pick up a few for the health and beauty of your pond!
Another thing a Dad would never say:
Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend.
You might want to consider throwing a party.
No Fuss No Muss Summer Container Gardens
Our beautiful ready-to-go summer container gardens are just waiting to make your deck, patio and yard pop with color! Stop in and pick up a few and BAM your decorating is done!
One last thing a Dad would never say:
What do you want to go and get a job for?
I make plenty of money for you to spend.
Coming Soon Our 1st 2014 Flea Market!

America’s Best Flowers
2014 Flea Market Schedule and Information
July 12 | Saturday | Flea Market 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
August 23 | Saturday | Flea Market 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
Sept 14 | Sunday | Flea Market 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
Oct 18 | Saturday | Flea Market 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
Dont miss out on an opportunity to turn your garage and basement clutter into cold hard cash!
For participation we require a non-refundable registration fee of $25.00. After you have your space set up on the morning of the flea market, Americas Best Flowers will present you with a $20.00 America’s Best Flowers gift card.
Each vendor will be allowed two parking spaces, which equals one booth, to display their wares. More vendor space is available for an additional $10.00 for each parking space. Additional space must be requested at the time of the initial registration. Each vendor is limited to only one $20.00 America’s Best Flowers gift card regardless of the number of parking spaces (booths). The flea market will be located in our huge blacktop parking lot. Rain or shine!
Send Al your gardening questions!
Americas Best Flowers wants to help you succeed in your gardening efforts. If you have gardening questions send an email to our Operations Manager, Al Lunde, at abflunde@yahoo.com. Al will get back to you promptly. Let America’s Best Flowers be your go-to greenhouse for answers.
Fathers then & now
Fathers of 1900 didnt have it nearly as good as fathers of today;
but they did have a few advantages.
In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English.
Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.
In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons.
Today, kids wouldnt touch Dads clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle.
In 1900, a father smoked a pipe.
If he tries that today, he gets sent outside after a lecture on lip cancer.
In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.
Today, a father comes home to a note: Jimmys at baseball, Cindys at gymnastics, Im at my yoga class, pizza in fridge.
In 1900, if a father had breakfast in bed, it was eggs, bacon, buttery toast, and potatoes.
Today, its Special K, soy milk, dry toast and a lecture on cholesterol.
Upcoming Events
Sun, Jun 1 – Mon, Jun 30 | Perennial of the Week Focus is on a new perennial each week. |
Sun, Jun 15 | Fathers Day FREE Schoepps ice cream for Dad and the family! |
Sat, Jun 21 – Sun, Jun 22 | Herb, Terrarium & Miniature Garden Container Workshop 10am-4pm FREE soil and assistance. Create your own herb container garden, terrarium or miniature garden. Bring in your own containers or buy some of ours. |
Sat, Jul 12 | Flea Market 8am 3pm Rain or Shine |
Sat, Jul 19 | Universal Saw & Tool Sharpening 9am-4pm – Get those tools ready for easier gardening. |
Sat, Jul 26 | 4th Annual Dog Wash Fund Raiser for the Dane County Humane Society 11am-3pm Bring your dirty dogs out to the garden. |
Our Kitchen
Fathers Day is a great time to bring out the grill. From our June 18, 2009 newsletter, this refreshing way to serve up brats was one of Bonnies favorites. Enjoy!!
Brats with Mango Relish
- 1 large fresh mango, seeded, peeled, and halved
- 1 small red onion, cut in ½ slices
- 4 cooked, smoked bratwurst
- 4 buns, split
- 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, halved
- ½ t Jamaican jerk seasoning
Directions
Brush mango and onion with 1 T cooking oil
Grill (medium heat) mango halves, onion and brats about 8 minutes, or until mango and brats are browned and heated through and onion is crisp-tender, turning once halfway through cooking. Lightly toast buns for 1-2 minutes. Set aside mango, onion and brats.
Lightly brush romaine with cooking oil. Grill 1-2 minutes until lightly browned and wilted, turning once (Ive had mixed reviews on the grilled romaine, some love it, others not-so-much).
For relish, chop grilled mango and onion. Combine in bowl with 1 T cooking oil, the jerk seasoning, and salt and pepper. Serve brats in buns with relish and romaine. Makes 4 servings.

Edward Knapton says Keep on Smiling!
Sec – Treasurer Berry Hill Farms, Inc.
DBA Americas Best Flowers Garden Center
4311 Vilas Hope Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
608-222-2269 Fax 608-222-1234 Cell 608-698-5627