16 minute read
Landscape
from February 21, 2020
by Ladue News
A Biodiversity Crisis T he first horticultural herald of spring is invasive bush honeysuckle – alas!
Advertisement
As the first woody plant to leaf out, it’s so easy to spot that we encourage people just becoming familiar with it to look around their neighborhoods and see just how pervasive this incredibly noxious plant is.
When you realize that it’s taking over whole parks, schoolyards and streetscapes, you’ll understand the need to step up the battle against this scourge. Why, you might ask? Because this invasive plant wants to rule the world. It will outcompete desirable native species in most ecosystems; choke out all native wildflowers; starve songbirds and butterflies; erode creek banks; increase mosquito populations while reducing the frog population that eats them; close nature trails; and bring in more deer, deer ticks and tick-borne diseases.
Most everyone knows about the vining Japanese honeysuckle and how hard it is to remove, but the Amur and Morrow’s bush honeysuckles (Lonicera maackii and L. morrowii) are causing much more immediate and severe environmental harm – and there’s no excuse for allowing these nasty invasives to remain on your property. Drive down virtually any street in Ladue, and you can spot bush honeysuckle on many residential properties. Concerted efforts have been made to remove it from Rodes Park and the Deer Creek watershed.
Unfortunately, volunteer efforts have been severely hampered by private property owners who ignore the environmental need to get rid of these species. By
leaving stands of mature, fruiting honeysuckle, they’re effectively providing seeds that
birds transport onto previously cleared land. So join the committed many
in helping educate your neighbors and encouraging them to use these steps eradicate bush
honeysuckle in Ladue now: Buy a roll of bright, plastic tagging tape at the hardware store. Review plant identification resources to confirm ID. One easy clue is, when cutting a large stem between the nodes, bush honeysuckle varieties will be hollow. If you’re still unsure about correct identification, you can email
close-up and whole plant photos to the Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center team for confirmation at plantinformation@mobot.org. Walk your property during the early leaf-out phase, and tag all plants for removal. Mea sure the scope of infestation, choose an eradication method and make a plan. If ther e’s a lot of it, consider hiring a contractor or teaming with neighbors. If there’s little enough to do yourself, break the property into smaller zones, and spread the work out over a few weeks. If there are just seedlings on your property, choose a pleasant day when soils are moist, making the seedlings easy to pull out by hand. Aim fo r total eradication because even one mature plant left behind can reinfest quickly. Visit all reclaimed garden areas in the early spring and late fall each year to catch new plants while they’re still young and easy to pull. Help to educate your neighbors, churches and schools by sharing the list of resources in this article. Bec ome an active volunteer “honeysuckle hacker” for your church, school or neighborhood.
Once your property’s clear, make a replanting plan that includes bird-friendly trees, shrubs and perennials. Pat yourself on the back for doing your part for your community, public health, biodiversity, visiting songbirds and the whole environment. Also, congratulate your neighbors when they’ve done the same – and keep after those neighbors who don’t yet understand the severity of the issue. ln By Pat Raven, Ph.D., with Julie Hess RESOURCES TO NOTE Learn about environmental impacts by visiting mobot.org. Download and print copies of the brochure Got Honeysuckle? from mobot.org/invasives. Find out more about bush honeysuckle control methods at mdc.mo.gov. Take part in the “How to Stop Invasive Superweeds” class being offered by Missouri State Parks on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m . at Montgomery City Public Library. Call 573-564-3476 or visit mostateparks.com to register. Space is limited.
Sign up for the Ln Suite of newSLetterS today at LaduenewS.com!
Go to our home page, enter your email address, then click. It’s that easy.
From the hottest home trends to the latest styles, from the community news you need to knowto the events you need onyour calendar … LN newsletters will keep you informed and entertainedat home and on the go.
With five different categories of coverage delivered directly to your inbox five days per week, there’s no better wayto stayup-to-date on the people, places and things that matter to you.
Keith R. Manzer 314.609.3155 (direct) 314.725.5100(office) lauramccarthy.com 150 Carondelet Plaza, no. 803 | Clayton | $1,399,000 Y ou only have one life...live it in luxury at the Plaza in Clayton. Elegant and refined condo boasts a gracious foyer with wainscoting and a trump l’oil painted ceiling. Stately formal living room with 5-piece crown molding, hardwood floors, limestone fireplace and two balconies. Formal dining area opens to cozy library with extensive built-ins. Spacious kitchen/ family room features Wolf, Subzero & Bosch appliances, custom kitchen 42” cabinets, granite counter tops + wine chiller and ice maker makes for a chef’s dream kitchen. Master suite is soothing with a recessed king-sized bed area with built-ins on either side, plus additional built-ins, window seat and large walk-in closet is beyond soothing. Spa-like master bath with two vanities, soaking tub, walk-in shower and dressing table. 24-hour doorman, pool, gym, club room and valet make life worth living on a grand scale!
COMING SOON TO ST.LOUIS
European-based Engel&Völkersis the world’sleading luxuryreal estate brandknownworldwidefor its exceptional properties and high-end services.Engel&VölkersSt.Louis joins its international network as one of the newest NorthAmerican shops, servicing the entireSt.Louis Market.
430 Park Ave 11th Floor New York NY 10022 evusa.com
Shubert DeSign Winter Sale
*On All In-Stock/Floor Samples by Durham Furniture & Lexington Furniture. Limited Time Only! Financing Available. See Store for Details Store Hours Mon - Fri 10am to 6pm Sunday 12pm to 5pm | 161 Gaywood Drive, Manchester, MO 63021 www.shubertdesign.com | 636-394-2220 50-70% off In-stock and Special order
A Homeowner’s
By Andrea Smith | Images submitted
The creators of The Artizen on West Pine had a particular muse when structuring this new set of town houses in St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhood.
Legendary artists like Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Claude Monet inspired them to provide a sort of blank canvas for homeowners – the developers even named the 13 private town houses after these artists and others. It’s “art interpreted in brick and mortar,” says Robin Halterman of Halterman Stix Group with Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty.
“This is very open-ended for clients,” Halterman says. “They can really make this a reflection of themselves, be it extremely contemporary, or even if someone was look ing for something traditional, they can customize it in that regard.” The project is billed as “the fusion of art, architecture and design born from the passionate collaboration of St. Louisans,” according to a description on the website. Halterman says buyers will have the opportunity to customize their homes by making selections from an array of lighting, flooring, cabinetry and other vendor
offerings. “This is definitely a createyour-masterpiece situation,” she adds. Early buyers even have some say in the layout of their homes, but that early-decision advantage lasts only until the walls go up this month, says develop er Michael Gingrich, who is a co-founder of The One North Group and managing partner of Profusion Private Asset Fund. The team broke ground last November and expects to complete the project this coming November. St. Louis-based company Trivers Associates is serving as the architect, Halterman Stix Group with Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent and firm marketing the development, and Jacob Laws Interior Design will design the interior of the display model, which is expected to be available to visit this summer. “We have hired Jacob Laws to select the finishes for our display,” Halterman says, “and we’re really excited to share his vision of urban modern luxury.” The
award-winning designer has worked locally and elsewhere in the U.S., according to his website, even receiving worldwide recognition through the nonprofit Fashion Group International, which named him the Home Furnishings/Product Innovation Rising Star winner in 2018.
The Artizen “was born from the desire for larger, customizable homes and expansive outdoor spaces,” Halterman says.
“We have some really unique features that are not often found in urban dwellings, like the opportunity for a three-car garage or a main-floor master suite.
“These are two- and three-story town houses ranging from about 2,000 square feet to about 3,400 square feet, including finished space on the walk-in level.” Ac cording to the project’s website, the interior square footage ranges approximately from 1,831 to 2,788 square feet – not including the lower level and garage – and the outdoor square footage ranges from 261 to 773 square feet. Some homes have the option for an elevator, and all town houses include some sort of private outdoor space, whether it be a balcony or sprawling rooftop terrace.
“In town houses, it’s a challenge to have larger outdoor spaces,” Gingrich says. “Most buyers want larger outdoor spaces, especially in today’s market, so many of our homes have rooftop terraces, balconies – and not just one or two but three or four in different locations within the dwelling. “I think the intention was to really focus on that without making the inside of the home smaller than necessary. We’re able to provide a large amount of indoor space but also a generous amount of outdoor space, which is not really something that the market offers these days.”
The location at 4101 W. Pine Blvd. puts homeowners within walking distance of restaurants, shops and local cultural institutions. Both a Whole Foods Market and Schnucks are within a mile of the town houses, Barnes-Jewish Hospital is about a five-minute drive away, and Forest Park can be reached by bike. “The ea stern part of the Central West End is really blossoming … ,” Halterman says. “This area has significant development taking place as we speak. The Central West End is a vibrant, thriving community. With a unique project like this, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to offer an amazing product in a great location at the right time.”
The Artizen on West Pine, 4101 W. Pine Blvd., St. Louis, artizenresidences.com
Shown to the left and below: beck/Allen cabinetry offers a beautiful and modern design in The Artizen town house kitchens. images courtesy of beck/Allen cabinetry.
posh PROPERTIES
By Amanda Dahl
2333 Alpine Overlook Drive | INNSBROOK
Sarah Bernard RedKey Realty Leaders 10333 Clayton Road, 314-780-9070 (direct), 314-692-7200 (office), sarahbernardrealestate.com
Prepare to fall in love with 2333 Alpine Overlook. Stunning views and a private setting in Innsbrook make this lake home the envy of all you entertain, especially with amenities like a saltwater pool, hot tub, and lakeside dock and beach. $1.95 million
11600 Clayton Road | FRONTENAC
John Ryan The Ryan Tradition Coldwell Banker Gundaker 314-993-8000, theryantradition.com
4 Deacon Drive | HUNTLEIGH
Sally Goldkamp & Ally Healey Gladys Manion Real Estate 314-479-9396 (Goldkamp), 314-608-3253 (Healey), gladysmanion.com
Imagine 5,000-plus square feet of luxury. His-and-her dressing rooms in the main-floor master suite, Carrera marble counters in the chef’s kitchen, and covered front and rear porches are yours for the taking. This must-see property will be ready for occupancy in March. $2.25 million You won’t want to miss this rare opportunity to restore a Charles Eames original work of art! This incredible home comes with five acres on a level lot in Huntleigh, making the property a potential investment that won’t be on the market long.
15 Pine Valley Drive | LADUE
Linda Benoist & Lisa Coulter Janet McAfee Real Estate 314-941-2883 (Benoist), 314-504-5495 (Coulter), janetmcafee.com
Situated on an impressive lot, complete with a pool, this architecturally significant home offers beautiful formal and informal spaces. Discover a spacious master suite and four bedrooms upstairs, with a guest suite on the first floor, alongside the four-car garage and carriage house.
1502 Topping Road | TOWN AND COUNTRY
This stone manse exudes charm with world-class amenities. Admire the entry foyer’s domed ceiling, the wall of bookcases in the study, the glazed custom cabinetry of the kitchen, the master suite’s lavish bath, the guest house, and much more. $1.179 million
15 Topton Way, No. 3C | CLAYTON
This third-floor condominium features 2 beds and 2½ baths, with high ceilings and masterful millwork found throughout. Enjoy amenities such as the balcony, with a park view, a two-car garage, hardwood flooring and large kitchen, with an island, work desk and granite counters.
100 Tufton Farm Court | CREVE COEUR
Mark Gellman & Neil Gellman The Gellman Team Coldwell Banker Premier Group 2203 S. Big Bend Blvd., 314-336-1991, thegellmanteam.com, 100tuftonfarm.com
Located in a gated community, this 6,200-plus-square-foot residence stuns with decadent details, including double front doors, with an arched transom, hardwood and marble flooring, and the great room’s wall of windows and floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace. Admire the gourmet kitchen’s unbelievable style and more.
12808 Tundra Court | TOWN AND COUNTRY
21 Westwood Country Club | WESTWOOD
With a newly lowered price, this traditional, 1½-story home boasts an inground pool, putting green and oversized, three-car side-entry garage, with storage. The abode, which resides on an acre in Town and Country, features a new roof and fantastic amenities. $1.15 million
Mona Green Laura McCarthy Real Estate 314-503-2065 (direct), 314-725-5100 (office), lauramccarthy.com
Custom-built by Schierholz Homes, this Westwood property boasts exquisite details on all three floors. Set on 2-plus acres, the abode offers a plethora of windows and six fireplaces. Enjoy the romantic main-floor master suite, handsome library, elegant dining room and more. $1.875 million
Greg Vernon Loan Officer 314.650.6425 gvernon@togethercu.org NMLS# 858131 Take advantage of incredibly low mortgage rates and keep your liquid assets working for you.
Jumbo Home Loan product eligibility requires a mortgage loan amount greater than $510.400. Other mortgage products and terms may be available, please contact a loan officer to discuss options for your purchase or refinance. All loans subject to aproval. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. NMLS#401252
Elegant French Provincial Condominium - 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, formal living room with gas fireplace, large entry foyer leading into a spacious dining room. French doors open to balcony with views of Shaw Park. Large kitchen with island, work desk and granite counters. Private terrace, master suite with bath and walk-in closet. High ceilings, extensive millwork and hardwood floors. 2-car garage, 2 storage closets. Common elevator. $997,500
OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 23 - 1-3 PM Sheldon Johnson - Johnson Group, Inc. - 314-626-0202 15 Topton Way, 3C - Shaw Place in Clayton
INCREDIBLE INVESTMENT POTENTIAL DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!
4 DEACON DRIVE | HUNTLEIGH $1,590,000 A Charles Eames masterpiece, The Meyer Home sits on one of the region’s most desirable lots. Restore the home to its original glory or build your own private estate on the 5-acre lot.
Gladysmanion.com | 314.721.4755 Proud to be Locally Owned and Operated Since 1936 Sally Goldkamp & Ally Healey 314.479.9496 - 314.608.3253
ONE LOOK, TWO WAYS 30
Style
DESTINATION STYLE 32
FEATURE: THE LOOK OF LOVE 33
Con Amore!
