There is something special about the space beneath a tree. Cool, shaded, and often overlooked, it is where the next generation of butterflies and moths begins. When caterpillars are ready to pupate, most drop from the branches and rely on what they find below to survive. A soft landing of native plants transforms that forgotten patch of soil or thin grass into living habitat, catching leaf litter, holding moisture, and sheltering the small life that depends on it.
 
Wisconsin Native Rain Garden Kit Planting Information:
Light Preference: Partial Shade to Full Shade
Soil Requirements: Adaptable to Clay, Loam, or Sandy soils
(Note: Best in soil rich with organic matter or leaf litter to mimic a forest floor)
Soil Moisture: Medium to Medium-dry
Coverage Area: Approx. 15-20 sq. ft.
 
Our 10-pack Wisconsin Native Soft Landing Kit Includes:
2 - Pennsyvlania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
2 - Golden star sedge (Carex radiata)
2 - Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
1 - Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
1 - Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
1 - Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans)
1 - Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)
 
 
In a shade environment, plants often grow a bit slower than they do in the sun.
Recommended Spacing: 12–15" apart.
The Logic: Close spacing allows species like Pennsylvania Sedge and Wild Geranium to knit together into a dense, protective groundcover. Maintaining a tight canopy prevents invasive weeds, such as Garlic Mustard or Buckthorn, from establishing in the gaps beneath the tree.
Coverage: A 15-20 sq. ft. area (approximately 4'x4' or 4'x5') provides the ideal footprint for a 10-pack to reach full establishment by the second growing season.