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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…
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Garden-Lou Spotlights the Garden of Teri and Lenny Weber
Back in 1979, when land was cleared for the Woodstone Estates subdivision, someone (perhaps a hard-hat-wearing supervisor with plant-geek tendencies) made a remarkable decision. A grove of Sassafras trees gracing a ridge top…
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July Perennial of the Month-Bear’s Breeches
Easily confused as a weedy thistle at first glance, Acanthus spinous, or bear’s breeches, is one of the most celebrated perennials in our culture over the centuries…most people just don’t recognize it. Acanthus…
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July Shrub of the Month-Buttonbush
Can there be a flower more fun than a buttonbush flower? (Cephalanathus occidentalis)These sputnik-looking spheres don’t look real, but they are fragrant, eye-catching, and unique, like little retro Christmas ornaments harking back to…
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July Tree of the Month-Bur oak
The state champion bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa, has lived just south of Columbia, Mo, for approximately 400 years. According to the current marker, it’s named the Williamson Bur Oak since the Williamson Family has owned…
