Marek Landscaping, LLC

10/07/2026

Big bluestem never disappoints🌾

10/05/2026

10/05/2026

At The Blue Lotus Center in West Bend, Wisconsin, a rare Parnassia miner bee has been found. This native miner bee derives its name from its host plant, Grass-of-Parnassus. Grass-of-Parnassus is only found in calcareous fens and other alkaline wetlands. The life cycle of this bee is directly tied to the life cycle of this plant, which is not actually a true grass.

Finding an endangered bee at a time when insect populations worldwide are plummeting is a big win. This little bee shows the important of conservation and leaving places where nature remains in tact. Places like Blue Lotus are critical because they allow us space connect to nature, and they allow nature space to thrive.

Photo credit: Photo 3 (Parnassia miner bee on Grass-of-Parnassus flower), UW Field Station.

09/25/2026

Our crew conducted an end of season survey at Indian Creek Wetlands. Surveys are an essential part of restoration work because they allow us to take inventory and track changes in plant community composition. These surveys allow us to see what has been successful and what work remains to be done.

Species featured here include sneezew**d, cardinal flower, and pickerel w**d. Other dominant species not pictured include prairie ironw**d, swamp milkw**d, obedient plant, and many species of sedges.

09/14/2026

A monarch caterpillar and common eastern bumblebee enjoying some milkw**d and Jerusalem artichokes at Colonial Park in Racine

08/31/2026

Prairie blazing star, Liatris pycnostachya, at Lincoln Creek

08/20/2026

Eastern bumblebees and a two spotted bumblebee on some late summer blooms.

Ever since we have reduced invasive plants at these sites and replaced them with native plants, we have seen an increase in pollinator diversity. Plants are the foundation of life. Healthy insect and animal populations rely on healthy native plant communities.

08/10/2026

Pennsylvania ambush bug, Phymata pennsylvanica, on wholeleaf rosinw**d, Silphium integrifolium

07/30/2026

Our stewardship crew spotted this Hummingbird clearwing moth, Hemaris thysbe, this week at Lincoln Creek. This member of the sphinx moth family is unique in that it is active during daytime, preferring broad sunlight. It uses its long proboscis to drink nectar from flowers. This one was found on wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa. The presence of insect species like this one show that land stewardship support insect populations, which are essential for supporting healthy animal populations, particularly birds.

These unique insects lay their eggs on their host plants and once hatched, they feed for two to three weeks in their larval caterpillar stage. Next, they fall to the ground and form cocoons in plant debris and leaf litter.

Adults emerge and begin flying in early spring, with their activity peaking later in summer when monarda is blooming.

Attract this unique and wonderful pollinator to your garden by planting wild bergamot, phlox, native honeysuckles, and vervains. And remember, allow leaf litter to remain overwinter and in early spring until night temperatures are consistently above 50F.

07/24/2026

This plant might be small but it is very special! American wild mint, Mentha canadensis, is a wild mint that is native to the eastern United States. It thrives in wet, sunny soils. It has a very pleasant, sweet mint aroma and adds more than just visual interest to landscapes.

Adding this species to your garden or landscape is a sure way to level up your plant game!