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December Perennial of the Month-Blue grama grass
It’s the time of year when we talk about ‘winter interest’ again. Gardens with primarily perennial plantings can look fantastic from spring through fall. But once the freezes set in and most perennials…
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November Shrub of the Month-Oakleaf hydrangea
Hydrangeas are some of the most versatile shrubs for St. Louis. There is a hydrangea for just about every garden location. Wet and shady, full sun and dry, Dry shade! Tight spots and…
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November Perennial of the Month-Autumn fern
Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), also called Japanese shield fern, is native to Asia but does well in St. Louis shade gardens without becoming aggressive or invasive. In spring, the new fronds emerge with a…
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October Tree of the Month-Hickory
Autumn is one of the most anticipated seasons for St. Louisans. The weather changes from sweltering to sensational, plenty of festivities and events are happening around town, and of course, the changing of…
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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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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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February Shrub of the Month-Junipers
Juniperus spp. By February, we are all craving color, ANY color. There’s still a long way to go before most gardens explode into yummy yellows and passionate purples. One of the best ways…
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February Tree of the Month-Taylor Juniper
Picture the rolling golden hills of an Italian landscape painting. You know, the kind with the sun-kissed stucco facades, olive trees, and the occasional cart pulled by a donkey. Now, what else do…
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A Winter Visit to the Garden of Mike Curran
The term ‘Plant Collector’ conjures up images of plants in tidy rows or planted in botanically segregated groups, all with official labels…you don’t think “Garden.” That is until you visit the garden of…
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January Perennial of the Month-Little bluestem
The doldrums of January have arrived. What if you could turn your Winter Blues to red? Or, more precisely, russet or orange? Little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is quite the chameleon, providing our gardens with a…
