Plant of the Week: Monarda fistulosa
Plant of the Week! When considering winter interest in your landscape, don’t underestimate the potential of perennials. Many native forbs and grasses are sturdy enough to remain standing through winter weather, and their seed pods or spent flower heads take on a new beauty in this harsh season. Pictured here is one of these forbs,... Learn More
Plant of the Week – Wisconsin’s Carnivorous Plants!
Plant of the Week! Introducing Wisconsin’s carnivorous plants! Our state is home to 14 species in four genera and includes Sundews, Butterwort, Bladderwort, and Pitcher Plants. Each has a unique method of capturing its prey. Sundews have small protruding stalks on their leaves that secrete a sticky substance. Butterwort gets its name by having greasy... Learn More
Plant of the Week: Birches for Winter Interest
Plant of the Week! Birches are a classic choice for winter landscape interest, especially Betula papyrifera (Paper Birch) and B. nigra, River Birch. Both have very attractive bark: Paper Birch has matte white bark with dark lenticels and V shaped markings, and River Birch bark exfoliates in shades of cream, grey, white, and cinnamon. Unlike... Learn More
Plant of the Week: Sambucus racemosa
Plant of the Week! One of the photos from last week’s plant (on our Facebook page) showed another native shrub – did you guess what it was? The answer is Sambucus racemosa, or Red Elderberry. Red Elderberry is a large multi-stemmed shrub that spreads through rhizomes. Its ability to spread, along with its dense roots,... Learn More
“Enhancing Your Lake Michigan Bluff Lands” with LNRP & Marek
Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership and Marek Landscaping are offering a field day on July 23rd to explore treated Phragmites blufflands and to discuss the options for habitat improvements after treatment. The day will begin at Fisher Creek Park in Cleveland, WI, for a presentation and site walk. Then, Marek representatives will be available to do... Learn More
Green Schools Consortium of Milwaukee Inaugural Conference
Marek Landscaping will be exhibiting at the inaugural Green Schools Consortium Conference taking place on Thursday, June 16th, from 7:30am-3pm at Highland Community School. A variety of companies, schools and agencies are coming together to provide resources for greening schools in Milwaukee. Pat O’Connor and Christie Mole will run Marek’s Soil Test Experiment which demonstrates... Learn More
Two Marek Projects Win 2016 Mayor’s Design Award
Marek is proud to have been a team member of two projects that have received a 2016 Mayor’s Design Award: Tippecanoe Public Library and the patio at Cafe Corazon. Our work for the library project entailed landscape architecture and green infrastructure design, including permeable pavers and bioswales. At Cafe Corazon, the client wanted to add... Learn More
Tippecanoe Public Library Receives Top Projects of 2015 Award
In 2015, Milwaukee Public Library System’s Tippecanoe Branch had its first major renovation since it was built in 1969. The branch was modernized to offer the latest technology as well as updated departments. In addition to the interior improvements, the exterior property was also improved. Marek was contracted by Engberg Anderson to provide landscape architecture... Learn More
Menomonee Valley Revitalization Featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine
The magazine of the American Society of Landscape Architectures, “Landscape Architecture Magazine”, featured the recent Menomonee Valley revitalization in its April issue. The 15 page article (pages 120-135) goes into detail about the history of the site as well as the economic, political, social and environmental drivers that have influenced its evolution. Marek, mentioned on... Learn More
Marek Offers Rainwater Harvesting Tips for M Magazine Article
Landscape Designer Remy Mesrobian and Ecologist Pete Hill offered suggestions for how homeowners can capture rainwater on their properties. They also outlined reasons why it is important to do so, not just for the homeowners but for the community and natural resources as well. Check out the article here (page 72)!