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Garden-Lou Spotlights Samantha Lee Smugala
Samantha Lee Smugala loves problem-solving. St. Louis has a few problems, … one being the many vacant lots that dot city neighborhoods. “I realized the significant harm communities suffer when they are riddled…
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September Perennial of the Month-Rattlesnake master
The common name, rattlesnake master, supposedly comes from the medicinal properties of Eryngium yuccifolium to cure snake bites. One must wonder just exactly what had to happen for the folks back then to…
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September Shrub of the Month-Blue mist shrub
It’s the type of shrub you see in a magazine or catalog and want to try immediately. With a coveted blue color rarely found in the garden, let alone in a late-season bloomer,…
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September Tree of the Month-Persimmon
After one or two cooler mornings, everyone starts talking about winter. Will it be cold? Will there be snow? Despite climate change that has turned our seasons inside out lately, you can count…
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Garden-Lou Spotlights the Garden of Bill and Colleen Brannan
It’s the type of water feature that’s heard before it’s seen. Imagine a narrow, hosta-lined walk that leads you toward the sound of water cascading over stones, building anticipation with every step. Once…
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Garden-Lou Spotlights the Garden of Mary Howard and Tom Sauls
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We’ve all heard that phrase before. Add to that list ‘Reimagine’ and ‘Redefine,’ which is exactly what the dynamic duo of Mary Howard and Tom Sauls do in their Dittmer…
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August Tree of the Month-River birch
We talk a lot about “well-drained” soils regarding plant preferences. But one tree that LOVES wet conditions is our native river birch-Betula nigra. River birch gets its common name from its natural habitat along…
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August Shrub of the Month-Smoke bush
To be, or not to be…a shrub or a tree? Well, in the plant world, there is a lot of gray area between what makes a tree a “tree” versus a “shrub”. RHS…
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August Perennial of the Month-Millenium Allium
Alliums are gaining popularity, and one of my favorites is Millenium. (Yes, that is the correct spelling of the registered cultivar!) This time of year, when the spring-blooming alliums like Globemaster and Ambassador…
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Garden-Lou Spotlights the Garden of Mark Kalk and Mark Lammert
For those who love the architecture and sense of community a historic neighborhood offers, there are many areas in St. Louis to pick from when choosing a place to call ‘home.’ Mark Kalk…
