-
November Tree of the Month-Pawpaw
What happens when someone with four paws, finds a pawpaw? The Lewis and Clark expedition first brought pawpaw, Asimina triloba, to the attention of the early European settlers. Historians state the expedition’s famished…
-
October ANTI-Shrub of the Month-Honeysuckle
Ah, the smell of honeysuckle on a bright spring morning. And those cute little red berries in the fall that the birds love! I met a guy a few years ago who told…
-
Highlights from the Old North St. Louis Neighborhood House & Garden Tour, and Arts Festival
The historic Old North Neighborhood of St. Louis lies just minutes north of Downtown and the Gateway Arch. Most locals only know it for Crown Candy Kitchen, the landmark soda fountain and lunch…
-
September Tree of the Month-Alder
And the winner for the cutest cone category is … the Alder tree! Face it, the cones are cute. And if you are into fall or holiday crafts, this is your new favorite…
-
September Perennial of the Month-Trumpet Creeper
Do you know that scene in horror movies where the crazy vines grab the main character’s ankles and drag him, kicking and screaming, out of sight? I’m convinced those vines were based on…
-
Garden-Lou Spotlights the Garden of Danielle Meert and James Thurow
Danielle Meert is changing the world, starting with her own yard. Visitors who made the garden in St. Louis Hills a stop on the Sustainable Backyard Tour in June were greeted by a…
-
Perennial of the Month-Purple coneflower
With a rainbow of colors available, my favorite coneflower is still the straight species, Echinacea purpurea. Purple coneflower is among our area’s top perennials, regardless of whether you are into natives or ornamentals. Native coneflowers…
-
Garden-Lou Spotlights the Garden of Albie and Andréa Mitchell
Let’s say you want to entertain family and friends in your backyard. You want space for your dogs to enjoy the yard too. You also want to be a habitat for pollinators. Privacy…
-
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,…
-
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…