Tiger Lily has been in its new location at 1645 N. Water St. for only a few weeks, but the neighbors are already thankful that the outdoor plant and flower business set up shop in what was previously a garbage-filled space on the corner of Water and Pleasant Streets.

"There are a lot of condos around us, and the owners are thanking us for improving their view and for making this usable space," says manager Mike Kasun.

Currently, Tiger Lily has a limited selection of plants and flowers, but will have a full selection around May 20.

Last spring, Tiger Lily opened a couple of blocks to the north, in a space that sells Christmas trees during the holiday season. Kasun says the space worked, but that the new location is larger and more visible. Plus, it's right next to the massive North End water tower, which makes the location easy to describe to customers.

"This is the size and shape we wanted," says Kasun. "And it's sunnier here."

Local bands will play on weekends under the water tower later this summer.

This year, Tiger Lily features even more plants and flowers -- including a spectacular selection of roses -- as well as 65-70 different herbs, organic soils, compost, fertilizer, yard sculpture, planters and a large selection of cacti and succulents.

"Cacti are very ‘in' this season, very ‘Martha,'" says Kasun. "We'll have a lot more ‘dessert-y' type items this year. They're ideal for people who don't have a lot of time to spend in a garden. Cacti are more carefree; they don't require as much watering."

In general, Tiger Lily will focus more on customers who do not have the time or space for higher maintenance gardens and will sell a decent selection of potted herb and vegetable gardens.

California citrus trees -- lime, lemon, miniature orange and kumquat -- are available, too, along with scores of native Wisconsin wildflowers such as shooting stars, trillium and Jack in the Pulpits.

Tiger Lily has a parking lot that's accessible from Pleasant Street, another perk of the new location.

Kasun hand-plants all of the hanging baskets which boast unique combinations of plants and flowers, and he says he's happy to dish out gardening advice.

"I love to meet lots of new home and condo owners who want to start gardens, but aren't sure where or how to begin," says Kasun, who landscaped multiple public patios in Milwaukee, including Trocadero, 1758 N. Water St., and Hi Hat Lounge, 1701 N. Arlington Pl.

Tiger Lily is an extension of Sweet Bush, 1559 W. Forest Home Ave., a local, independent business specializing in interior landscape. Sweet Bush has another garden center, also called Tiger Lily, located next to its Forest Home Avenue building.

"If you shop at Tiger Lily, you're supporting a local, independently-owned business," says Kasun.