Featured plants in the Lou!
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August Shrub of the Month-Possumhaw
The Missouri State Champion Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) lives just outside the wrought-iron fencing surrounding the Mausoleum of Henry Shaw, where it’s often passed unnoticed if not for the signage designating its champion status.…
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August Tree of the Month-Beech
St. Louis rests on the edge of hardiness for the native North American beech, Fagus grandifolia, which is only found naturally in the central, and southeast corner of Missouri. Whereas our neighbors to…
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July Tree of the Month-Kentucky Coffee Tree
The Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is considered rare by conservation standards regarding its native distribution. Although rare in the wild, as a domesticated species, it’s becoming more popular in parks, public gardens,…
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July Shrub of the Month-Annabelle Hydrangea
The smooth hydrangea cultivar ‘Annabelle’ was not named after one lady but two. Two “Belles” from Anna, Illinois, Harriet Kirkpatrick and her daughter Amy, found the original plant while horseback riding (We will…
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July Perennial of the Month-Blazing star
Surely, Dr. Suess was inspired by our native Liatris species, commonly called blazing star or gayfeather. The purple flowerheads are comprised of multiple flowers called florets, crammed together on one stem, each resembling…
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June Tree of the Month-Weeping Willow
I consider the weeping willow (Salix babylonica and Salix × pendulina) Mother Nature’s friendliest tree. Those slender, graceful limbs invite you to come inside and share the willow’s personal space. What better way to spend a…
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June Shrub of the Month-New Jersey Tea
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) is one of those plants that seems to be overlooked. I’m not sure why it’s not more common in the trade since most of its traits seem to…
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June Perennial of the Month-Lily
I cannot picture summer without true lilies. (Lilium spp.) True lilies, not to be confused with daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.), are bulbs. And for most gardeners, bulbs=easy. Honestly, you plant them in the ground…
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May Tree of the Month-Catalpa
A plant-geek typically has to venture into the city or older suburban neighborhoods and parks to witness the grandeur and beauty of a mature catalpa (Catalpa speciosa and C. bignonioides) in full bloom.…
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May Shrub of the Month-Ninebark
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) gets its common name from the fascinating peeling bark of its mature stems. The leaves hide this feature during the growing season but come fall and winter, it’s an excellent trait…
