The Gateway Gardener April 2023

Founded in 2005

by Joyce Bruno & Robert Weaver

Publisher and Editor

Robert Weaver

Columnists

Abby Lapides

Sugar Creek Gardens

Steffie Littlefield

Edg-Clif Winery

Jennifer Schamber

Greenscape Gardens

Scott Woodbury

Shaw Nature Reserve

Printing: Breese Publishing, Breese, IL

The Gateway Gardener® is published 7 times/year by Double Dig Communications, Inc. to promote enjoyable, successful gardening and livable landscapes in the St. Louis greater metropolitan area. The magazine is distributed free to the public at designated garden centers, nurseries, garden gift shops, lawn equipment rental, repair and sales establishments, and other locations supporting sound gardening, lawn and landscaping practices.

Please send letters-to-the-editor, questions, event announcements, editorial suggestions and contributions, photos, advertising inquiries and materials, and any other correspondence to: The

Magazine® PO Box 220853

St. Louis, MO 63122

Phone: (314) 968-3740

info@gatewaygardener.com

www.gatewaygardener.com

About 10 years ago I decided to remove English ivy and wintercreeper from a shady area in my backyard and create a little native woodland garden. The invasive vine patch was not only boring to human eyes, it provided little of interest for birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife as well. Now the area is a colorful patch of woodland flowers, native shrubs and trees that draws in legged and winged visitors alike. It might fit the profile of a “tree island” that Scott Woodbury writes about on page 14 if it weren’t for neighbors on many sides who also provide native trees and understory plants for wildlife. More of an archipelago.

I was hoping to feature a magnolia on this month’s cover to complement Abby Lapides’ article on the beautiful flowering tree family (page 4). But the mild winter I alluded to in last month’s message encouraged the magnificent magnolias to bloom precociously several weeks ahead of schedule. (Abby lamented not having submitted her article for March.) Sadly, as too often happens, the early bloomers were hit with a midMarch cold wave, turning the beautiful blossoms mushy brown (see photo). Still, while the flowers might be post-peak when

Saucer magnolias frequently get punished, as they did this spring, for precocious blooming. But don’t let that stop you from checking them out!

you read this, Abby still gives us some worthy ideas on the world of magnolias, including introducing us to a saucer-like magnolia hybrid that wisely delays its blossoms a few weeks later than its cousins—smart!

Sometimes beautiful spring days fool us humans, too, drawing us into the garden to plant before we should. Though air temperatures may tell us it’s time to garden, soils in April can still be too wet and cool to provide good growing conditions. This isn’t always the case, though, especially with raised beds and container gardens. So, to be prepared in case conditions support it, we’ve provided a

couple of articles on preparing for planting. Samantha Zales provides some good ideas for mapping out your vegetable garden, plus other tips and tricks (page 8). And if you’re totally new to container gardening, you may be flummoxed as to how to turn the beautiful flowers you see in the garden centers into the great-looking combo containers featured in magazines. On page 18, we give you the secret the pros have used for years.

Before sending you off, I wanted to note that, after more than 15 years of giving our readers expert advice on growing beautiful, healthy roses, Diane Brueckman has decided to turn over her page to others. Diane was a rosarian at Missouri Botanical Garden, and active member in both the St. Louis Horticulture Society and St. Louis Rose Society. We know our roses will miss her helpful guidance, but we wish her well. Thanks, Diane, and all the best in your post Gateway Gardener days.

I’m sure Diane will still be out in her garden in these weeks ahead, as will we. Happy Earth Day, happy Arbor Day, and…

Good Gardening!

Magnolias--A Botanical Heirloom

By Abby Lapides

From as early as we have cultivated plants, the immense beauty of magnolias has made them some of the most sought-after living treasures. From grand and stately to petite and adorable, magnolias fit into just about any landscape setting. Cross-bred magnolia cultivars bring an endless selection

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636-458-1445

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of exciting blossom colors and interesting forms. Learn about the different types that thrive in St. Louis and see some of my favorites below.

The earliest to bloom, the star magnolia, Magnolia stellata, explodes with star-shaped white flowers in late winter to early spring before leafing out. The smooth gray bark and darling oval leaves add a beautiful form to the garden. Prized for its larger fragrant flowers, the cultivar ‘Royal Star’ is the most popular variety found commercially. Growing about 10-15’ tall and 10-12’ wide, star magnolia excels as a focal point in a smaller garden or

cont’d on page 6

Abby Lapides is owner and a speaker at Sugar Creek Gardens Nursery. She has degrees from the University of Missouri, and is a member of the Landscape and Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis. You can reach her at (314) 965-3070.

M. stellata ‘Royal Star’

Magnolia ‘Ann’

Ann Lapides

Ann Lapides

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cont’d. from page 4

around the house to soften corners.

With large pink flowers on stately trees, the saucer magnolia, Magnolia x soulangeana, dominates the magnolia popularity contest. However, saucer magnolias always seem to bloom right around the time we get a surprise spring frost, turning those gorgeous pink flowers brown. ‘Ann’ fixes that issue by blooming 2-4 weeks later than most saucer magnolias, usually well-past our last frost. While not a true saucer magnolia, the vibrant large pink flowers look pretty darn close. On top of the large lightly fragrant blossoms, ‘Ann’ only reaches about 10-12’ tall and wide, a great size for showy understory plantings.

Need an easy-going evergreen tree? The sweet bay magnolia, Magnolia virginiana, may be the tree for you. Creamy-white

lemon-scented flowers bloom in May, much later than the typical magnolia. Large shiny green foliage with a silvery underside creates a stunning evergreen tree. Unlike most magnolias, the sweet bay magnolia tolerates wet and boggy soils, but may also be grown in average conditions. Ideal for softening corners, in the center of a rain garden, or as an anchor tree in a garden. Very similar to southern magnolias, Magnolia grandiflora, but much hardier in our area.

With all the wonderful hybridization that has happened with magnolias, we enjoy stellar varieties with fabulous flower colors – like yellow. ‘Yellow Bird’ magnolia bursts forth in spring with brilliant canary yellow blossoms. Pretty leaves adorn this attractive tree that grows 40’ tall. A cross between our Missouri native cucumbertree, Magnolia acuminata, and the lily magnolia, Magnolia liliflora. All yellow flowering magnolias have cucumbertree parentage as it is the only magnolia with yellow pigment.

In spring at the height of their bloom, magnolias are second to none, but what if we can enjoy that beauty again? ‘Genie’ magnolia blooms like a typical magnolia in spring but will repeat bloom in late summer if it’s been well watered. Not only do we get to enjoy the velvet red flowers once, but twice! Petite, growing about 1012’ tall and wide, ‘Genie’ fits easily into small gardens or around patios.

Most magnolias prefer moist but well-drained soils except for the sweet bay magnolia. They tolerate sun to part shade locations and if they’re in drier spots some afternoon shade is ideal. Once established magnolias are long-lived and easy-going. Only prune if necessary and do it right after flowering has ended. Their stunning flowers can last a lifetime and beyond. Plant a magnolia and leave a legacy of stunning flowers for the next generation.

Magnolia ‘Yellow Bird’

Magnolia ‘Genie’

Ann Lapides Plant Haven International

Time to Get Planting! Tips and Tricks

Samantha Zale

Now that spring is in full swing, we can start getting plants into the ground for the growing season! Don’t forget, if you ever have any questions getting started with your garden and especially with watering needs, visit your garden center to pick the brains of those folks. At this point, our garden beds

should be amended and ready to go. Also, have your fertilizers and root stimulators standing by.

One of the most useful steps before you even start to dig holes is drawing a map, basically a layout, of the space with the approximate locations of the plants. This provides you with a couple of things. First, it gives you a good visual for space needed between plants. Most of the time on plant labels there will be some dimensions that give the plant the right amount of space from its neighbor. Paying attention to spacing is important because it reduces the risk of pests and diseases, especially in edible gardens. The second thing the map does is it gives you a reference for later on in the season when those labels that we put in the ground next to the plant have decided to disappear. Besides the labels that often come with the plant, there are many styles of labels on the market, from basic plastic ones that can be written on, to more durable decorative options. Don’t be intimidated about drawing a map of your garden,

it can be super simple. Something as small as a 3x5” notebook can work just fine for these purposes.

One important detail to remember when shopping for plants is to pay attention to how much sun the space will get throughout the day so the appropriate plant can be purchased. Also look for other things around the space that may impede sunlight. For example, the southern side of your house will typically see the most sun throughout the year, along with the west side in the summer months. Now, if there is a large tree nearby that may block out the intensity of the sun a bit and it would no longer be considered full sun, it’s just something to keep an eye out for. Generally things like tomatoes, peppers and petunias need full sun, which means 8+ hours a day. Annuals, like impatiens, and perennials, like Heuchera, need more shade, 4 hours or less of direct sun. If shade plants were to see sun, ideally it would be either earlier in the morning or later in the evening only for a couple hours at a time, that is when the sun is the least intense.

Now that it’s time to get planting, we can take a quick look at some highlights that should be getting started at this point. Edibles- after the last frost of the season, it’s time to get those tomatoes and peppers in the ground, along with herbs, berries, beans, squash & eggplant. Cool season crops like lettuce and kale may have a few weeks or more in them, but they will start to fizzle out when the weather heats up. The same for annuals like pansies, which can be switched out for impatiens and vinca in shady areas, petunias, zinnias, daisies or other of the countless options of sun-loving annuals. One thing to keep in mind if the goal is to grow veggies from seed for the fall season, those seeds will typically need to be started by the end of July to be ready to transplant to the ground by mid to late August.

If we are looking to get vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, why do we need to worry about pollinator plants? Pollinator plants help to support pollinator populations by incorporating Missouri natives back into our landscape. These plants are the back bones of wildlife gardening, as they attract beneficial wildlife, while adding beauty and function to our outdoor spaces. Bringing in pollinators to your garden is super important for our ecosystems and to help us get those tasty tomatoes and peppers at the end of the process. Bee Balm and Salvia are popular pollinator plants to name a few! Now, it’s time to get out there and get those gardens planted!

Samantha Zale is a Content Creator for Greenscape Gardens, and also manages Front Desk Operations and Customer Support.

Drawing a “map” of your garden helps in numerous ways. First it keeps you focused on your shopping trip, knowing exactly what you want to buy! Second it helps at planting time, and finally, if you lose plant tags, you can look at your map to i.d. plants.

2023ProductEco-Garden Guide

Hoffmann Hillermann

Nursery & Florist

2601 E. 5th Street, Washington, MO 63090 636-239-6729 | www. hillermann.com

by artisans in Vietnam using time tested techniques and an old-world kiln that gives each piece its own special character.

Rolling Ridge Nursery

60 North Gore Ave. Webster Groves, MO 63119 3214-962-3311

RollingRidgeNursery.com

Down to Earth fertilizers and soil amendments are all organic and derived from all plant, animal, or minimal resources, enhancing soil fertility and stimulating plant growth in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way! Find your favorite Down to Earth Products in the store, including their Azomite, Citrus Mix, and All Purpose gardening mix! Bonus- their packaging is 100% recyclable, making them an eco-friendly brand we love to use!

Reuseable Dishcloths

Our reusable dishcloths are eco-friendly, cute, and made of highly absorbent, biodegradable materials that can withstand the toughest messes. Simply pop them into the dishwasher or washing machine to clean. Available in a variety of designs.

Greenscape Gardens

2832 Barrett Station Rd. Manchester, MO 63021 (314) 821-2440

GreenscapeGardens.com

AquaPots® by Proven Winners®

AquaPots are the first and only premium quality glazed ceramic self-watering pots on the market. They have a complete system that is integrated right into each container offering water savings with no waste. Watering frequency is significantly reduced. They only use 25% of the amount of water as similar sized posts on drip irrigation. The overflow valve ensures plants cannot be overwatered even in heavy rain. AquaPots are handcrafted

Corn Gluten Natural Weed Preventer and Lawn Food Prevents crabgrass and other weeds while feeding your lawn Granular pre-emergent

Garden Heights Nursery

1605 S. Big Bend Blvd. Richmond Heights, MO (314) 645-7333

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Down to Earth All Natural Fertilizers

Planthaven Farms

6703 Telegraph Rd. Oakville, MO

O’Fallon and Olivette, too (636) 272-5005

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Native Plant ID Tags

Native Plant ID Tags are 2-1/2” wide by 4” long. Durable tags include photo, common name and botanical name. Plant stake included. Joint project of Wild Ones St. Louis and Grow Native! Order from https:// stlwildones.org/plant-tags/

Sugar Creek Gardens

1011 N. Woodlawn Kirkwood, MO 63122 (314) 965-3070

SugarCreekGardens.com

Missouri Native Button Bush With adorable globes of nectarrich flowers, the Missouri

native button bush feeds our hungry pollinators in summer. After blooming has passed showy red fruit appears that is beloved by songbirds. An excellent choice for boggy areas or rain gardens.

O.K. Hatchery

109-115 Argonne Kirkwood, MO (314) 822-0083

MoleMax

Rids lawns, gardens and planting beds of moles, ground squirrels (chipmunks), and other damaging, burrowing animals without the use of

toxic, dangerous chemicals. The active ingredient, castor oil, is people and pet safe when used as directed.

Effinger Garden Center

720 South 11th St. Belleville, IL 62220 (618) EffingerGarden.com

Voted #1 Best Garden Center

FoxFarm Organic Products Effingers has a complete line of FOXFARM organic soils and liquid plant food: Happy Frog, Ocean Forest, Coco-Loco, Tiger Bloom, Grow Big and Big Bloom. Come see us soon!

Zicks Great Outdoors

16498 Clayton Rd. Wildwood, MO (636) 458-1445

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CO2 and other dangerous gases and replenish the atmosphere with oxygen. Trees add beauty and create an environment beneficial to our mental health by creating a feeling of relaxation and wellbeing. Hundreds of beautiful, nursery-grown Eco- Friendly native trees can be found at Zick’s Great Outdoors and Landscaping in Wildwood, MO. And Zick’s is St. Louis’ supplier of pine straw mulch, sustainable and renewable.

Timberwinds

54 Clarkson Road Ellisville, MO 63011 636-227-0095

Timberwindsnursery.com

Wiggle Worm Soil Builder

Eco-Friendly Trees and Pine Mulch

Trees help reduce the greenhouse effect. They provide shade and absorb

Organic fertilizer made from 100% worm castings. Improves soil structure and aeration. Nutrients are perfectly

Cont’d on next page

2023 Perennial of the Year

Stand By Me Bush Clematis paints the garden with gorgeous bell-shaped flowers for months. In late May masses of the clear blue, adorable flowers adorn its 1-2’ tall stems, looking like perfect little hats for garden fairies. This strong bloom continues well through June. It continues to flower with a lighter bloom for the remainder of the summer into October. Its fantastic flowers, tremendous vigor, and proven performance make it a superior variety that we strongly recommend. Even though it shares similar flowers with climbing Clematis, Bush Clematis does not climb and is used as a perennial or as a perennial ground cover in the garden.

balanced for immediate and long term absorption, will not burn. Promotes optimum plant growth. Excellent for houseplants, vegetable, flowers and more.

Chalily

14430 Manchester Rd. Manchester, MO 63011 (636) 527-2001 Chalily.com

Chalily Spring Start-Up Kit

Chalily Spring Start-Up is a multi stage system that is

specially formulated for use in Spring! Our Spring StartUp is safe for your plants, fish, wildlife, and household pets! All of our ingredients are Eco-Friendly and 100% natural. Our formula only includes Mother Nature’s best to get your pond looking clear. Use the De-Sludger tablets to remove all the built up matter that has accumulated in your pond over Winter. Then use the Kick-Starter liquid to seed your biological filter and get your pond running smoothly in no time!

Forrest Keeling Nursery

44 Forrest Keeling Lane

Elsberry, MO 63343 573.898.5029

ForrestKeelingNursery.com

Neonic-free… ‘bee-cause’! Invite butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators in your landscape! Plant beautiful native perennials from Forrest Keeling Nursery! Our hardy perennials are neonic-free grown without harmful pesticides! And sustainably produced from locally sourced seed to bloom in their first season.

Earthly Landscapes

Text and photo by Scott Woodbury

So many times, I’ve seen neighborhoods with rows of houses and nothing but turf grass, one after the other, as far as the eye can see. Then something other-worldly comes into view, a lone oasis gleaming with the vibrance of life—a garden full of native plants. It reminds me of that notecard, where a young person on a beach full of starfish is tossing them back into the ocean. An adult nearby says, “you can’t possibly make a difference. There are so many.” And to that, the young person shouts back, mid-toss, “I’m making a difference for this one.”

Meet Fran Glass, a veteran St. Louis Wild Ones member, who has dedicated her retired life to “tossing starfish.” Inspired by Sarah Stein’s book, Planting Noah’s Garden (1997), Fran (and her late husband Richard) planted an other-worldly tree island

in their own yard. A tree island introduces some of the elements of a woodland: a canopy tree, understory trees, and ground layer flowers beneath, with the hopes of creating enough habitat to sustain wildlife. At the center of Fran’s tree island is a strapping 25-year-old bur oak tree—which began as a sapling purchased from Forrest Keeling Nursery—spanning the yard and part of the neighbor’s. Beneath its boughs is a spankingnew woodland garden, where nothing but mowed zoysia grass used to be. The diverse understory trees and shrubs include a rare dwarf chinquapin, pawpaw, possum haw, elderberry, redbud and red buckeye, and a tapestry of geranium, celandine poppy, sweet William, and Virginia bluebells at ground level.

In this young pocket woodland, Fran counted four bird nests this past fall, something she sees regularly in autumn, when the branches reveal themselves. While Fran’s tree island is making a difference for birds, it’s also transforming neighbors, one by one. Hers is no longer the only wild garden sprouting up on her block. Some of her neighbors are also taking a walk on the wild side.

Like Fran, I believe that every yard—every sliver of earth—has the potential to reconnect with the natural world, because life is resilient. Our yards can look like intact habitats of the diverse green planet on which we live, rather than the sterile turf surrounding the house next door and the one next to it. But it needs your help. This Earth Day, let your sliver of earth be transformed into the center of beauty and wildlife diversity that it deserves to be.

The Grow Native! program is developing a new woodland garden design, much like Fran’s tree island. Watch for it on the Grow Native! website, and check out a Wild Ones Chapter meeting near you, for great ideas on how you can transform your own yard into something welcoming to all creatures great and small.

Happy gardening y’all!

Scott Woodbury was the horticulturist at Shaw Nature Reserve for 30 years and stepped down from that position in June 2022. He continues to work on contract for Shaw Nature Reserve to carry out native landscaping education, and has launched his own business called Cacalia: Native Garden Design and Wilding. Scott is also founder of the Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter, which financially supports this column. Find suppliers of native plants, seeds, and services at the Grow Native! Resource Guide: www.moprairie.org.

Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants

Partners for Native Landscaping United!

By Scott Woodbury

Alittle over a decade ago, a group of assorted native plant nuts came together to do something for homeowners and wildlife. At the time, there were a number of organizations and agencies that were working in parallel, but separately, to promote native landscaping. St Louis Audubon Society was developing Bring Conservation Home for backyard landscape consulting. Shaw Nature Reserve had Native Plant School to educate native gardeners. Wild Ones-St Louis Chapter, the largest chapter in the country, was providing native plant grants to non-profits and hosting monthly gatherings in native plant gardens. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District was developing its green-infrastructure initiative, Project Clear. The Missouri Department of Conservation was funding all sorts of native landscaping projects in metro areas. Meanwhile, Grow Native!, a program of the Missouri Prairie Foundation, was developing a network of classes, plant sales and workshops across Missouri.

These organizations came together in 2011 to form the first Partners for Native Landscaping planning committee. They were later joined by BiodiverseCity, a community networking initiative of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and St. Louis Community College-Horticulture, which is developing native landscapes on campus and training the next crop of native plant horticulturists.

Today, Partners for Native Landscaping has solidified its identity and effectiveness with a logo and a website through which people can access its annual Spring Series of native landscaping events. These include a webinar series (March 7 to

Healing

Celebrating our 25th Anniversary!

April 5) and two in-person events in April. Register for these through the website: https://partnersfornativelandscaping. stlouisaudubon.org/home

Together the activities of the individual organizations and the partnership account for most of the native landscaping outreach in the St. Louis area. They are both cause and effect of a large and enthusiastic audience. The St. Louis region can be proud!

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

9814 Pleasant Hill Rd Jefferson City MO 65109 www.mowildflowers.net mowldflrs@socket.net 573-496-3492, fax: 573-496-3003

Meet us at one of these locations in St. Louis. Give us your order by Tuesday before a sale, and we will bring it to the location.

Kirkwood Farmer’s Market, 150 East Argonne Dr. Kirkwood MO 63122. Give us your order by Tuesday before a sale, or pick from the selection at the market. April 1,8,15,22, & 29, and May 20 & 27; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shaw Nature Reserve, 307 Pineton Loop, MO 63039. Event: “Shaw Nature Reserve Spring Wildflower Market,” May 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Member’s only sale Friday, May 5, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. www.shawnature.org.

Beyond Housing Headquarters, 6506 Wright Way, St. Louis 63121 Native Plant Fair/Sale. April 30 (Sunday), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Cornucopia Corner

The Colorful World of Eggplants

By Steffie Littlefield

dding color to your diet is even more fun because it adds variety to the garden. Eggplants come from the nightshade family and while most are a purple color, there are varieties that have different shades or are even lavender, white or orange. They all have a meaty, spongy texture. The most common are called globe eggplants, also known as American eggplants. They are defined by their deep purple color that is also quite shiny.

‘Black Beauty’

If you take globe eggplants and compact them, you now have Italian eggplants. With a similar color, this variety is squattier

Aand smaller and a bit sweeter. Their texture holds up well when baked. From Italy we also get the lovely Rosa Bianca eggplants with a more subdued, lilac color. They are quite wide but shorter than other varieties. Rosa Bianca eggplants are not at all bitter, which makes them a favorite among home cooks. Lovely sliced thick, coated with olive oil and grilled.

A very poplar eggplant to grow is originally from Japan. These long, thin eggplants can be used for all sorts of dishes, including stir-fries.

One of the most versatile eggplants is hard to find in stores, so is fun to grow in your garden. Indian eggplants are almost round in shape. The shape and texture are suitable to stuffing like peppers as well as cutting into cubes for soups and vegetable sautés.

For a very different vegetable try the easy-to-grow Thai Eggplants, which are small and orb-like, and while they can be purple, they can also be green. Thai eggplants have a slightly more bitter taste than other varieties of eggplants, although this can be remedied if you remove their seeds before cooking. They are often paired with curries.

www.greenscapegardens.com

Steffie Littlefield is a St Louis area horticulturist and garden designer. She has degrees from St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Southeast Missouri State and is a member of Gateway Professional Horticultural Association, Missouri Botanical Garden Members Board and past president of the Horticulture Co-op of Metropolitan St. Louis. She is part-owner of Edg-Clif Winery, Potosi, MO. www.EdgClif.com, and teaches a class on viticulture at SLCC-Meramec.

Rosa Bianca

Japanese White Egg

Thai Green

Frog Fingers

Barbarella eggplants come from Turkey and are an extremely deep purple color, almost looking like black in certain parts of the day. They are unique in that their texture resembles bread, and can be used as a substitute for those who are gluten-intolerant. Wonderful for baking in casseroles like lasagna. There are also Turkish Orange eggplants, which have a small, orb shape to them. This variety better resembles a tomato, thanks to its red-orange hue.

Santana eggplants are so large that one eggplant is sure to feed a family for quite a few meals. These eggplants are very pretty with a tear drop shape and deep purple. They are often grilled as the slices don’t split open during cooking and thus retain their shape.

Little Green eggplants are both little and green. They have a cute, round shape to them that makes them simply adorable. The only problem is that it can be hard to know when they are ripe, thanks to their color. The wonderful mild flavor adapts well to what they are being cooked with. Furthermore, they have a creamy texture to them, making them perfect for stir-fries

My favorite is the White Eggplant. Creamy with no bitterness from the skin. As you would expect from their name, White eggplants are completely white. However, they are the same, long shape as standard American eggplants.

Most eggplants are easily started from seeds and are a pleasure to grow with sturdy stems and charming fuzzy leaves. They don’t take a lot of space in a small garden and really do well in containers with their pretty flowers and fruit. Protect them from beetles with peppermint oils and give the small plants a good dose of worm castings and you will be eating healthy all summer.

Photos courtesy Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co./rareseeds.com.

Thrillers, Fillers & Spillers

A Beginner’s Guide to Creating Beautiful Combination Containers

If youo’re new to gardening, putting together a great-looking container garden can seem a daunting task. Well, here’s a secret: even the most seasoned garden desigmers typically follow this age-old mantra when creating their beautiful mixed containers: Thrillers, Fillers, and Spillers.

Thrillers

Select plants with height that add drama and a vertical element to the combination. Generally placed to the center or back of the container.

Popular Thrillers: Palms, Miscanthus grass, Pennisetum grass, Caladium, Canna

Fillers

Fillers tend to be more rounded or mounded plants that make the container look full. Fillers are usually placed in front of, or around the Thriller. These plants should surround the Thriller.

Popular Fillers: Lantana, Petunia, Impatiens, Begonia, Coleus, Dusty miller.

Spillers

Finally, add the Spillers. These are trailing plants that hang over the edge of the container. If the container is going to be viewed from all sides, the Spillers should be placed on all sides. If the container is going to be viewed from only one side, Spillers should be placed in the front of the container.

Popular Spillers: Creeping jenny, Sweet potato vine, Nasturtiums

Note: When selecting plants, read the plant labels carefully, and pick plants that share the same requirements for sun and water. Your independent garden center pros can also help you select plants that will thrive under similar conditions.

Planting Tips

Assess the container condition. Existing soil may need to be replaced or refreshed. Using only potting mix made for container gardens—don’t use garden soil. A few broken clay pot shards or gravel placed in the bottom of the pot will prevent soil from leaking out the drainage hole (and make sure the pot does have a drainage hole!). Fill pot with potting mix to about 1-2” below the container brim.

Stage plants in the container and arrange them as desired. Then plant the Thriller(s) first, followed by the Fillers, and finally Spillers. Add a slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote or an organic fertilizer. Water thoroughly.

How Many Plants Do I Need?

18” Container: 1-6” plant with 9-4”, or 12-4” plants

24” Container: 1-10” with 10-4” plants, or 14-4” plants

34-36” Container: 1-10’ plant with 18-4” plants

Tools and Supplies Needed

Fresh potting mix, fertilizer, trash can, gloves, hand trowel, watering can or hose, gravel or pot shards, blower or broom.

Images are courtesy of Proven Winners, www.provenwinners.com. Content adapted from informtion provided by Quiet Village Landscaping.

Dig This!

Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News

Awards Honor Conservationists

Last February, The Conservation Federation of Missouri recognized two prominent leaders for their contributions to state conservation efforts.

First, the CFM presented its Conservationist of the Year Award to Carol Davit, executive director of the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF). As the CFM website states, this award recognizes “the most outstanding overall conservation effort and achievement, most significant contribution to the cause of conservation or toward a solution of a major conservation problem in the state during the year.” In 2022, and since she began as executive director with MPF in 2011, Davit has focused on protecting one of the planet’s most imperiled ecosystems—prairie, which in Missouri, has dwindled from 15 million acres up until statehood to fewer than 50,000 scattered, original acres today. Missouri’s original prairie remnants are extremely biologically diverse and of critical conservation importance.

“Carol Davit’s recognition as Conservationist of the Year is very deserving, as she exemplifies what it means to be a true conservationist in this state and beyond,” said Tyler Schwartz, CFM executive director. “Her strong leadership within her organization and can-do attitude when it comes to prairies and other native grasslands will ensure that future generations will get to enjoy them for many decades to come.”

Under her leadership, MPF’s prairie acquisitions have increased from 14 to 32, and are considered among the best managed prairies in the state. The organization became a nationally accredited land trust in 2021, became the home of the Grow Native! native plant marketing and education program in

2012, and in 2015, began administering the Missouri Invasive Plant Council, of which Davit serves as chair. MPF has significantly amplified the prairie protection message through dramatically increased outreach, advocacy, support for prairie research, and educational programming.

“Receiving this award is a great honor, and humbling, considering Missouri’s storied history of conservation achievements,” said Davit. “This recognition is really a reflection of MPF’s excellence. It is thanks to the board leadership and structure of the organization, as well as its supporters, volunteers, and my fellow staff members and respected colleagues with other groups that I have been able to thrive in my career with the organization. The MPF community is steadfast in its commitment to protecting prairie, as well as promoting the use of native plants through its Grow Native! program. We are able to achieve our goals because we are serious about excellence in governance, fundraising, board and staff development, education, and science-based biodiversity protection.”

Also accepting a recognition of Forrest Keeling Nursery for the CFM Corporate Conservationist of the Year award was Kim Lovelace Hainsfurther, Forrest Keeling president. Kim reflected, “For 75 years. . .we’ve learned about plants and their ecosystems. We’ve seen the devastation of floods and other natural events. Seen the damage done by the hand of man. But we’ve also stood awestruck by nature’s response to conservation efforts.

“With patience and respect, [Forrest Keeling] worked with nature, coaxing her to share her secrets. Allowing us and our clients to co-create with her. Over time, we learned about much more than plants. We learned about interconnections of clear water, fresh air and

Carol Davit with Tyler Schwartz (left), Executive Director of CFM, and Zach Morris, President, CFM Board of Directors.

Kim Lovelace Hainsfurther with Tyler Schwartz (left), Executive Director of CFM, and Zach Morris, President, CFM Board of Directors.

vibrant, living soil.

“We are only brief guardians of the land. Working with our clients, we’ve played a role in restoring the earth ‘one tree at a time’. Together, healing our planet, while healing ourselves. And continuing to grow.”

The Conservation Federation of Missouri was established in 1935. Among CFM’s triumphs is the creation of the esteemed Missouri Department of Conservation. In 1976, CFM spearheaded passage of the conservation sales tax. Almost 50 years later the tax continues to create stable funding for Missouri’s natural resources.

Planthaven Farms Expands in Olivette

Olivette about 12 years ago to serve gardeners in the central St. Louis County region. In 2017, they added the Oakville garden center and greenhouses. They grow most of their stock themselves in the O’Fallon greenhouses.

Conifer Enthusiasts to Meet in Kansas City

Planthaven Farms has moved and expanded one of its three locations. Building on its businesses in O’Fallon, Missouri and Oakville, owner Pauline Cella moved the seasonal operation from its pop-up spot on a bowling alley parking lot in Olivette into a year-round operation in a new location just a few hundred feet away on Olive Blvd.

The original location sold a wide selection of plants—but only plants—during the busy spring planting season. The new location at 9504 Olive Blvd. not only is fully stocked with houseplants, but also features an expansive collection of home and garden décor and gifts. And in season, an outdoor patio area will be fully stocked with annuals and perennials as well.

The Cella family purchased its original greenhouses and garden center in O’Fallon, Missouri, over 20 years ago, and subsequently expanded the greenhouses to over 15,000 sq. ft. They added the pop-up location in

St. Louis boasts many beautiful conifer gardens, and conifer enthusiasts here may wish to travel across state to join fellow “cone heads” at the American Conifer Society Central Region Conference & Speaker Series, June 2nd and 3rd. The event, which came to St. Louis in 2019 (see our June 2019 issue at issuu.com/thegatewaygardener for an intro to conifers), is a great opportunity for members and their guests to experience all the gardens, speakers, unique auction conifers and camaraderie for which the ACS Central Region conferences are so well known. The Conference (Fri 4 p.m. - Sat 10 p.m.) features the renowned horticulturist Panayoti Kelaidis (Denver Botanic Gardens) as keynote speaker on Friday evening, coach buses to four beautiful conifer gardens on Saturday, four meals, plus one-of-a-kind conifer auctions. A Speaker Series pre-event (Fri 8 a.m - 2 p.m.) features three presentations and lunch. The theme of the Speaker Series is ‘Conifers and Companion Hobbies’ featuring Brian Boyce, Kathy Schlesinger and Ken Wood. For details, schedules, garden and speaker descriptions, and secure online registration, visit https://conifersociety.org/newsevents/event/2023-central-region-annual-meeting/ DoubleTree by Hilton Conference Center, 10100 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS

Pre-registration Early Bird rates end April 10th, and registration closes May 10th. For questions, contact Bob Saathoff, Conference CoChair: bobsaathoff@yahoo.com, (785) 640-1482.

Meetings, Classes, Entertainment and More

Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at www. GatewayGardener.com, so check there for the latest details.

Give us the details of your upcoming gardening, lawn or landscaping event and we’ll add it to our website and include it in our next issue. Deadline for printing in the Summer issue (June-August) is May 1st.

How to reach us:

Mail: PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122

Email: info@gatewaygardener.com

GARDEN CLUBS AND PLANT SOCIETY MEETINGS

Interested in Joining a Garden Club or Plant Society? We have meeting dates, locations and contact information on more than 50 area garden clubs on our website at www.GatewayGardener.com.

Don’t have access to the internet? Just call us at (314) 968-3740, or write us at PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122, and we’ll get the information to you. So share your joy for gardening and join a garden club or favorite plant society today!

FUN FOR KIDS

April 1st

9am-Children’s Garden Club. Arbor Day! Planthaven Farms, 6703 Telegraph Rd., 63129.

May 6th

9am-Children’s Garden Club. Mother’s Day Baskets and Planting Veggies. Queeny Park – Nursery #1, 1675 S. Mason Rd. (Queeny Park East Entrance), St. Louis 63131. Sponsored by

Upcoming Events

Wiethop Greenhouses.

GARDEN TOURS, PLANT SALES AND SHOWS

April 1st

9am-Noon—Spring Plant Sale. Browse Seed St. Louis’ (formerly Gateway Greening) spring plant sale for six-packs of spring seedlings, seed packets, t-shirts and more. Seed St. Louis Carriage House, 3815 Bell Avenue, St. Louis, MO.

April 15th

8am-2pm—Native Plant Workshop and Plant Sale. Hosted by Partners for Native Landscaping. Details to come. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Rd., Kirkwood. Registration required. For more details and for registration links, go to partnersfornativelandscaping.org.

April 23rd

2-5pm—St. Louis Hosta Vendor Day. Hostas and companion plants and garden items from Avalon Acres and Hostas on the Bluff for sale, plus vendors for equipment, paper art, and baked goods. Open to the public. FREE entrance. Crestwood Community Center Gym, 9245 Whitecliff Park Lane, Crestwood.

April 28th

9am-4pm—STLCC Meramec Horticulture Plant Sale. Choose from perennials, veggies, herbs, native, and annuals. All plants are grown in the school’s greenhouses by horticulture department students and staff. All proceeds from the sale go the purchase of materials for future plant sales and student engagement. 11333 Big Bend Rd., Kirkwood, MO 63122, West Parking Lot K. Rain date, Saturday April 29th, 9am-2pm. Cash or check only.

April 28th-29th

8am-6pm Fri., 8am-noon Sat.— The Webster Groves Garden Club Plant Sale. Webster Groves Recreation Center, 33 E. Glendale Road, Webster Groves,

MO 63119. Come early for the best selection of reasonably priced home-nurtured sun and shade perennials, herbs and natives collected from private gardens. Proceeds support community gardening outreach and education, as well as two scholarships the WGGC awards annually to students of St. Louis Community College’s horticulture program. The club’s meetings featuring horticulture speakers are free and open to the public. Any area resident is welcome to join the WGGC. facebook.com/ WebsterGrovesGardenClub/

April 29th

9am-1pm—Ascension Lutheran Church ‘Think Spring’ Plant Sale. Word of Life Lutheran School, 6535 Eichelberger, 63109. Choose from a colorful selection of fresh, locally grown annuals, perennials, vegetables and hanging baskets. Some additional perennials and annuals will be available on sale day. Please visit Ascensionstl. com/PLANTS for complete details and to download the pre-order form. Pre-order required and due by April 14. Proceeds benefit youth activities. Questions? Karen Hilkerbaumer, 314-3782977 or gbomber@swbell.net, or Julie Headrick, 314-258-2169 or hea102@sbcglobal.net.

April 29th

9am-1pm—Seven Pines Garden Club Plant Sale. Open to the public. Large selection of nursery fresh annuals and hardy perennials from members’ garden. Seven Pines pool, 2115 Seven Pines Drive.

April 29th-30th

9am-3pm Sat., 11am-2pm Sun.—U City in Bloom Plant Sale. Sale includes donated local plants, natives, trees, plants for birds and butterflies, and a great selection of herbs and advice from experts. All proceeds benefit U. City in Bloom gardens and the Ruth Park Woods restoration project. Nursery at 6860 Vernon, University City.

April 29th

8:30am-noon—Webster Groves Herb Society Plant Sale. First Congregational Church of Webster

Groves 10 S. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves 63119. Cash, debt, credit and check accepted. Free parking. a variety of culinary, ornamental, and medicinal herbs, full size and cherry tomato plants, hot and sweet peppers., and Missouri native plants including coneflowers, bee balm, yarrow, and milkweeds. There will also be some member-grown herbs, and plants and a wonderful collection of member-grown seed packets. Visit wgherbs.org for more information.

April 30th

9am-2pm—Partners for Native Landscaping Native Plant Fair/Sale. Beyond Housing Headquarters, 6506 Wright Way, St. Louis, 63121.

May 5th-6th

3-7pm Fri. (members only), 9am1pm Sat.—Spring Wildflower Market. Shop from a wide selection of Missouri native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, vines, sedges and trees suitable for all conditions and grown by local nurseries in the region. Talk to native plant experts and enjoy beer, wine, spirits, cheese, honey, crafts and more. Shaw Nature Reserve.

May 5th and 6th

Noon-9pm Fri., 9am-5pm Sat.— Gardeners of Florissant Annual Sale. During Valley of Flowers weekend in Florissant. Annuals, perennials and beautiful hanging baskets will be available along with a variety of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes; hot, super hot, and sweet peppers; herbs; and possibly other vegetables. Sale will be on the Ice Rink at the James J. Eagan Civic Center 1 James J. Eagan Civic Center.

May 6th

9am-3pm—Franklin County Master Gardeners Plant Sale. JC Penney parking lot in Washington, MO. Shop from a wide selection of plants.

May 6th

8:30am-12:30pm—Webster Groves Women’s Garden Association Plant Sale. Homegrown shade and sun perennials, natives, container plants and

specimen hostas from a Hosta Society member garden. Garden club members will answer questions about growing and caring for your plants. Proceeds fund support of Webster Groves schools, Ruhe Park Garden and community organizations. First Congregational Church of Webster Groves parking lot, 10 W. Lockwood. Cash, credit, debit and checks accepted. wgwga. org.

May 13th

9am-3pm—Plant America Garden Expo. 308 Civic Park Drive. Activities for kids, plant sales, growing vegetables, flowers, garden clubs. Sponsored by Jardin du Lac, Boone Country, Fleur de Lis and O’Fallon Garden Clubs, and MO Green Future. (314) 850- 4831 (call or text) and PlantAmericaGardenExpo@gmail. com.

CLASSES, LECTURES AND EVENTS

Now through April 18th-Callery

Pear “BuyBack”. The Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP), in partnership with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), are hosting this program, inviting homeowners to cut down one or more Callery pear trees (including Bradford, Cleveland and other cultivars), and receive one free, non-invasive tree. In the St. Louis area, people can receive their free tree on April 18th at Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. To be eligible for a free tree, participants must submit a photo of their cutdown Callery pear. (Large trees may require the services of a certified arborist.) To register, contact info@ moinvasives.org.

April 4th

7pm—Virtual Program:

Understanding Native Trees and Shrubs. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. James Faupel, Litzsinger Road Ecology Center, covers the considerations to look for when selecting a woody native plant for your site. Registration required. For more details of the talks and for registration links, go to partnersfornativelandscaping.org.

April 5th

2pm—Virtual Program: Native Landscaping with Hungry Deer. Presented by Partners for Native Landscaping and coordinated through St. Louis County Library’s Adult Programming. A panel of experts discuss a range of tactics and tools to help with establishing and maintaining a native landscape in areas with heavy deer populations. Registration required. For more details of the talks and for registration links, go to partnersfornativelandscaping.org.

April 7th

9am-3pm—Missouri Arbor Day Tree Giveaway. Celebrate Arbor Day in Missouri and receive a free Missouri native tree sapling from the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Kemper Center staff will provide planting and care tips and be available to answer your tree care questions. Vendors to include the St. Louis Arborists Assoc., Missouri Department of Conservation, and Spire. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Ave., St. Louis.

April 8th

Noon—Proven Winner Plants: Our Favorite Annuals, Perennials and Shrubs. Effinger Garden Center, 720 South 11th St., Belleville, IL. (618) 234-4600.

April 15th

noon—Vegetable and Herb Gardening. Easy tips for success. Bring your questions and a friend. Effinger Garden Center, 720 South 11th St., Belleville, IL. (618) 2344600.

April 15th

9am-noon—National Arbor Day at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. Staff and volunteers will give away free trees to visitors during this time. Plant material may be limited and available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Join us for a free tree and then enjoy a casual walk or drive around the arboretum. Our 314 acres contain over 9,500 woody trees and shrubs representing over 560 unique taxa, including species, selections, and varieties. Bellefontaine is a Level III Accredited Arboretum, one of several proud botanical institutions in the St. Louis area. https://bellefontainecemetery. org/ Go to the Willow entrance off W. Florissant.

April 15th-16th

1-4pm—Walk through Ruth Park Woods. Free guided tours of this 26-acre woods in the heart of University City. Learn about the trees, plants, native flowers, birds, and scavenger hunts for kids. Family-friendly event. This is the Kick-off event for the Centennial Celebration of University City Parks. The trail is not yet handicap accessible. More information on Facebook, UCityParks100 and ucityinbloom.org.

April 22nd-23rd

11am-5pm both days—St. Louis Earth Day Festival. Earth Day is back with great food, music and activities. Learn about sustainable products and practices from local businesses and organizations. Forest Park on the Muny grounds. Free and open to the public. Visit earthday-365.org for details.

April 30th

1pm—May Day Basket Workshop. Passiglia Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center, 1855 MO-109, Wildwood, MO 63038. (636) 458-9202, passiglia@ passiglia.com. Passiglia.com.

May 4th

Evening in the Garden. Passiglia Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center, 1855 MO-109, Wildwood, MO 63038. (636) 458-9202, passiglia@passiglia.com. Passiglia. com.

May 13th

10am-5pm—Washington County in Bloom Flower Festival. Seed and plant swap. Craft and Plant booths, 5 expert speakers presenting workshops, food trucks and more. Forshana Farm, 16270 W. State Highway 8, Potosi, MO. Visit WashCoFlowerFestival.com for more info.