Planting Designed to Thrive in Zone 5a Wisconsin
Four Seasons Landscaping designs and installs planting beds, trees, shrubs, and perennials selected for southwest Wisconsin's growing conditions — plants that look good now and stay healthy for years.
Softscapes That Complement Your Hardscape and Your Climate
The best landscape design integrates hardscape and softscape — paving, walls, and structure working in harmony with plantings, beds, and lawn. Four Seasons handles both sides of the equation, which means we can design your patio and planting beds as a cohesive whole rather than as separate contractor scopes bolted together afterward.
Southwest Wisconsin sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, which means average winter lows in the -15 to -10°F range. Plant selection matters. We choose trees, shrubs, and perennials that are proven performers in our climate — not just plants that look good at the nursery in June. We know which ornamental grasses hold up through our winters, which flowering shrubs bloom reliably in this zone, and which trees have the right structure and root behavior for residential landscapes.
We source quality nursery stock and install it with proper soil preparation, appropriate mulch depth, and root zone practices that give plants the best start. A well-installed planting has a significantly better survival rate than a poorly installed one — and we stand behind what we plant.
What's Included
- Foundation planting design and installation
- Planting bed creation with proper edging and mulch
- Tree selection, delivery, and installation
- Ornamental shrub and evergreen installation
- Perennial and annual bed installation
- Soil amendment and bed preparation
- Black, brown, or natural wood chip mulch options
- Decorative rock mulch installation
- Planting plan development for phased installation
Our Process
Design Consultation
We walk your property, assess sun exposure, soil, and existing conditions, and listen to your style preferences and maintenance goals.
Plant Selection
We develop a planting plan with specific species recommendations — all Zone 5a proven — with size, spacing, and seasonal interest balanced across the plan.
Bed Preparation
We prepare beds with proper edging, soil amendment as needed, and weed barrier installation before any plants go in the ground.
Installation & Mulch
Plants are installed at proper depth and spacing, watered in thoroughly, and finished with mulch at 2–3" depth to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
FAQ — Planting, Beds, Trees & Shrubs
Zone 5a is a challenging but rewarding climate for plants. Proven performers in our area include Karl Foerster feather reed grass, Knockout roses, Little Lime hydrangea, Annabelle hydrangea, serviceberry (Amelanchier), redbud (for sheltered spots), Proven Winners spirea varieties, ornamental crabapple, sugar maple, and a long list of native prairie perennials including coneflower (Echinacea), black-eyed Susan, and various ornamental grasses. We avoid plants that are technically Zone 5 but consistently winter-kill in Grant County's colder microclimates.
Spring (mid-April through May) and fall (late August through mid-October) are the ideal planting windows in Wisconsin. Spring planting gives plants a full growing season to establish before winter. Fall planting takes advantage of cooler temperatures and fall rains that help roots establish without heat stress. Summer planting is possible but requires more attention to irrigation during establishment. We schedule planting projects around these windows to give your plants the best start.
A 2–3 inch layer of mulch is ideal — enough to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, but not so thick that it creates conditions for fungal disease or "volcano mulching" around tree bases. Mulch should be kept 2–3 inches away from tree trunks and shrub stems. We apply mulch at the correct depth and keep it clear of plant crowns. Refreshing mulch every 1–2 years maintains the benefits as it decomposes into the soil.
The first growing season is critical for establishment. Newly planted trees and shrubs need deep, infrequent watering — about 1" of water per week, delivered slowly to penetrate to root depth — rather than frequent shallow watering. We review post-installation care instructions with every client. We source quality nursery stock and plant it properly, which gives your plants the strongest possible start.
Yes — plant removal, bed edging, and bed renovation are part of our softscape services. Whether you're clearing overgrown foundation plantings, removing an invasive species, or rethinking a planting bed layout entirely, we handle the full renovation scope including hauling off removed material and preparing the bed for new plantings.
Related Services
Schedule Your Free Consultation
We'll come to your property, talk through your goals, and put together a detailed design and estimate — no charge, no obligation. Serving Platteville and all of southwest Wisconsin.