The Gateway Gardener May 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

Samantha Zale

Greenscape Gardens

Scott Woodbury

Cacalia: Native Garden Design and Wilding

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 Gateway Gardener Magazine® PO Box 220853

St. Louis, MO 63122

Phone: (314) 968-3740

info@gatewaygardener.com

www.gatewaygardener.com

Beginning gardeners especially, since they tend to be younger with busy work and family schedules, are often attracted to perennials because they can plant them once (in theory), and then get on with their lives. Annuals are great at providing season-long color, but you have to come back year after year and plant the darned things over and over again! Wouldn’t it be great if you could find some perennials that would also provide longlasting blooms?

Well, I discovered one a few years ago when I first planted native rose verbena in my garden. I was amazed as those little plants started blooming with the daffodils in early April, and nothing stopped them until the first frosts of autumn! And so I was pleased, but not surprised, to see them included in Abby Lapides’ roundup in this issue of long-blooming plants (she includes one woody shrub) she has discovered (page 4). And, as if that wasn’t enough, Abby pares her list to include only those long bloomers that are also drought resistant, so once established, you don’t have to constantly water them

to encourage their extended season. And as a bonus, no mention of deadheading! I don’t have much experience doing battle with deer, since (to date) our neighborhood has rarely been visited by them. (Rabbits are another matter.)

But in many parts of our readership area, deer pressure can make one nearly throw out the gardening gloves in concession. Again, beginning gardeners especially might feel the frustration, as they first try their hands at growing their favorite vegetables or ornamentals without checking their popularity with the Bambis in their neighborhood. On page 6, Samantha Zale offers up some solutions, both chemical and physical, to co-existing with the cute but voracious visitors.

One really good way for newbie and experienced gardeners alike to learn how to be more successful is to visit the gardens of others and get advice from other gardeners. As it would happen, garden tour season is coming up. To plan your agenda, we’ve provided a summary of the garden tours for which we had received information as of our publication deadline. And in addition to mining for valuable tips and advice when you visit, be sure to thank the host. As one whose garden has occasionally been on a tour, I know the hard work that goes into preparing to put your best floral face forward for guests to enjoy. In no time at all, you’ll be hosting your own eager guests to learn from your gardening successes!

Until then, Happy Mother’s Day to my wife, sisters-in-law, daughter-in-law, nieces and all the other mothers out there! And…

Good Gardening!

Long-Blooming Drought-Tolerant Plants

By Abby Lapides

Flowers, flowers everywhere—that’s what we want!

Sometimes the goal of a fabulous flowering garden can seem impossible in challenging locations, especially dry. Learn about some of the toughest, longest-blooming plants that will easily get through droughts while looking gorgeous.

S un - loving choiceS

A favorite Missouri native perennial, Rose Verbena, Verbena or Gladularia canadensis, provides clusters of rose-pink blossoms from late spring through late summer and well into fall. Its sprawling, low-growing habit makes it an ideal ground cover. It resembles its annual cousin, but this beauty queen is hardy. It looks gorgeous in the garden, containers,

naturalized, and spilling over rocks, borders, and walls. Rose Verbena grows easily in average, welldrained soil in full sun. Although the original plant may not be long-lived, it will self-seed and spread by its self-rooting stems to form a fast-spreading ground cover.

With daisy-like colorful flowers, tickseeds, Coreopsis spp. bring blossoms from early summer into fall. The Missouri native’s sunny yellows naturalize easily. Newer selections feature shades of pink, a two-toned red and white, and a personal favorite, ‘Sweet Tart’, with hundreds of blossoms in deep raspberry hues accented with yellow-orange centers. The cheery blossoms appear for months, making it a top choice for butterflies, cut flowers, meadows, and natural gardens.

There’s a reason you see Spirea all over town: gas stations, car washes, etc. They take all the abuse Mother Nature throws at them: drought, heat, high humidity, rocky, dry soil, and no human care. Yet even under these severe environments, these little gems work tirelessly producing brilliant foliage and blossoms. With its easy-growing nature, ‘Double Play Gold’ Spirea makes a carefree specimen. Only growing 2’ tall and wide, it features eyepopping gold foliage and fluffy pink flowers.

Coreopsis ‘Sweet Tart’

eaSy care Shade-loving plantS

Lenten rose, Helleborus spp., adds delightful flowers to the shady woodland garden. Its dark, thick, evergreen foliage looks fantastic in and out of bloom. In late winter nodding 3-4″ cup-shaped flowers emerge. The remarkable blossoms come in a multitude of colors and forms: deep red, almost black, blue, pink, white, speckled and two-toned. The flowers can be single, multiple-petalled, or frilly. Flowers dry on the plants, sometimes persisting for months. It easily grows in most soil conditions, except wet, and tolerates drought once established. A long-lived perennial, Lenten rose resists pests, deer, and rabbits.

A blooming powerhouse, ‘Honorine Jobert’ Japanese Anemone claims bright white 2-3” flower petals with golden sepals surrounding kiwi green centers. Flowers float high over deep green glossy foliage from August through September. Discovered in the 1850s in France, this plant has been a perennial favorite for over 150 years. Plant these where they can be seen from your patio— you will want to see them glow at dusk when enjoying an evening outdoors. They grow 3-4’ tall, and 1-2’ wide. Tolerant of most conditions including full sun to full shade.

‘Intense’ Geranium. I can’t say enough good things about this fabulous plant. An exuberant bloomer, its flashy pink blossoms cover the foliage for a considerably long time. Its mat-forming

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.

evergreen foliage smothers weeds and looks attractive all year long. All-in-all, this selection of hardy geraniums is about the easiest and one of most beautiful perennials to grow. Will happily grow in sun or shade.

Give your babies a good start when planting to increase your chances for success. Add compost or other organic matter to the soil when planting. Once settled in these beauties will tolerate drought, but they will need to be well-watered until plants are established. A top dressing of mulch will help hold water in the soil and keep weeding to a minimum. And lastly, although all these plants are tough as nails, they benefit from deep soakings during exceptionally long dry spells.

Photos provided by the following: Coreopsis ‘Sweet Tart’ and Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ courtesy Ann Lapides; Rose Verbena courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden; ‘Spirea ‘Double Play Gold’ courtesy Proven Winners; Lenten Rose courtesy Walters Gardens.

Rose Verbena Spirea ‘Double Play Gold’

Lenten Rose Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’

Doggone Deer!

by Samantha Zale

Like the old adage says: April showers bring May flowers! Already, we may be starting to see the fruits of our labor!

Up to this point we have been paying attention to the weather and sticking to a good watering schedule. If you have any questions at this point, please visit your garden center to get tips from those folks. This is the stage in the process where we need to make sure that we are protecting our plantings from critters, especially deer. Living in a metropolitan area like St. Louis, deer may not be in the forefront of our minds. Unfortunately, the effects of deer are things that many of us need to be able to deal with all year long. The reason why plants are considered resistant to deer in the first place typically has to do with strong scents, coarse, thorny textures, and yucky tastes.

From spring and going through the fall deer can cause a lot of damage in our gardens. In the spring and summer we see very young deer on the move and they start nibbling on things that deer may not normally eat. For example; peppers, lantana, salvia, coneflowers, ornamental grasses, boxwoods and barberries to name a few. What starts to happen when people see these plants getting munched on is that they don’t give these plants another try or they get mad at the people who sold it to them. Please don’t get mad at the garden center folks because they cannot guarantee what happens in nature. If you are able to talk to the folks at your

garden center about your situation, they should be able to provide good recommendations. They should also never say it’s guaranteed because nothing in nature can ever be guaranteed!

As summer progresses to fall, many young trees, especially trees with thin caliper trunks, can be damaged by deer rubbing their antlers. Physical barriers are going to be the best bet for these situations because the deer then won’t be able to reach the trunk. The main reason why we need to physically protect these trees is because if too much bark tissue gets damaged, it creates a wound that can expose the tree to further issues. For example, they can become more susceptible to infections and opportunistic pests. And the deeper the wound is, the harder it is for the tree to heal itself. There are many products on the market to help from chemical treatments to physical barriers. Milorganite, Liquid Fence, tree bark protectors, and fencing are a few of the most common options. Milorganite is a granular product that is typically sold as a lawn fertilizer, however, because of the pungent aroma deer tend to stay away from it. The aroma can get washed away after heavy rains or frequent waterings, so re-application may be needed. You also have to remember if the deer can smell it, so can you. So, if you put it on plants near your patio, you might not be a happy camper. Liquid Fence is one brand of several types of products that have spray-on applications or granular applications meant to deter deer by scent and taste. Some use capsaicin, which is a chemical compound that gives peppers their spice.

Tree bark protectors need to be of a rigid plastic material that has ventilation holes so it doesn’t become a breeding ground for fungi. And most big box stores carry many varieties of fencing materials that may also do the trick.

Please don’t hesitate to talk to the folks at your garden center to get some recommendations of the best deer resistant plants for your situation. The more information you bring with you about your space, the better those folks will be at being able to make recommendations.

Now, with all that said, it’s time to get back at it.

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

Improving Garden Soils with Compost

By Tom Tharp, St. Louis Composting

It’s early spring, time to plan and prepare for garden bed planting. Unfortunately, while most of us consider what floral plant, colorful shrub, or a variety of vegetables we’d like to try in our garden spaces this year, some gardeners neglect to consider the one thing that helps make a great garden happen— good, healthy soil.

Soil is the common thread between a row of carrots and a row of handsome oak trees lining a drive. Soil supports the plant by allowing its roots to penetrate and draw moisture and nutrients to make plants thrive.

Before the first seed or small plant goes into the garden bed, consider a simple improvement to help your plants perform better. Apply and blend compost into the soil before planting.

Compost contains abundant benefits to soils depleted with last year’s growth and vastly improves poor native soils. Compost contains organic matter, which helps modify a soil’s structure, allowing moisture and plant roots to penetrate hard, compacted soils. Organic matter affects soil structure by changing the soil particles’ composition. Silt and clay soils, which are predominant in our area, have minute particles of all the same size that lock themselves together, like bricks in a wall. Organic matter helps break up the pattern of the particles, allowing moisture and plant roots to penetrate much more easily.

Additionally, higher organic matter content helps soil work better in both the wet and dry cycles of weather we have here in the Midwest. Organic matter helps moisture better enter the soil and helps it hold more moisture during dry periods. Further, it helps absorb moisture and allows it to pass deeper into soils during those wet periods.

The pro’s tip is to spread 1-2” of compost over the garden bed when the soil is fairly dry, then spade or till compost into the top

6-8 inches of the garden area, breaking up large clumps. Drier soil has less of a tendency to form those clumps, so compost can be blended in more successfully. The ultimate goal of any healthy soil is to achieve at least 5% organic matter. The “Strive for Five” slogan is something to remember when amending your soils.

In addition to providing organic matter, compost contains a wealth of soil microbes. The bacteria and fungi present in compost colonize in local soil, adding the ‘life’ that most poorer soils lack. The microbes help the soil and the plant work together to form strong roots and exchange nutrients, making the plant more vigorous and resistant to soil-borne problems.

Although compost is not considered to be a fertilizer in the conventional sense, compost is a nutrient-rich amendment for soils. While nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N, P, and K) are considered the ‘big three’ of plant nutrients, there are other plant nutrients present in compost. Minerals like sulfur, calcium,

iron, and a host of others needed for optimum plant health and growth, are present in compost. These nutrients help build plant cells and are vital in producing the most healthy and vibrant plants. Conversely, the absence of minor nutrients can cause a number of plant health issues, including chlorosis (yellowing), leaf spotting, leaf tip browning, and curling, etc.

While these nutrients are necessary for the soil, an additional dose of the big three nutrients is often required to push plants to the next level. Organic and non-organic fertilizer solutions are available at all home and garden centers. In short, compost offers a way to improve the soil and the plants growing in it through its multiple attributes. Improve your gardening success with a bit of preventative action. Improve your soil with compost!

Garden Tour Season is Upon Us!

TheGarden Tours are coming soon! Here are the ones we’ve been notified of as of our deadline, providing plenty of opportunities to check out the area’s most interesting gardens and gather some tips to implement in your own landscape!

May 21st

9am-4pm—St. Louis Native Plant Garden Tour. The popular St. Louis Native Plant Garden Tour is produced annually by St. Louis Audubon Society and Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter. Gardens are in and around University City. This self-guided tour includes a wide variety of habitats, native landscaping styles and yard sizes. This is an educational tour, so there will be a lot of information posted in gardens and shared by the homeowners and by volunteer docents throughout the day. Tickets are $20. To register go to stlaudubon.org. Presented by Bring Conservation Home and STL Wild Ones.

June 2nd-3rd

Fri. 4-8pm, Sat. 9am-1pm—Gardens in Bloom Tour. Visit gardens in St. Clair County, IL. Tickets $12. Children 12 and under are free. Order tickets online at event.gives/gardensinbloom2023 or at the following locations: Sandy’s Back Porch (Belleville), Effinger’s Garden Center (Belleville), Creative Landscapes Garden Center (Fairview Heights), Terry’s Landscaping & Garden Center (Centreville), Ace Hardware (O’Fallon), Hometown Ace Hardware (Belleville), U. of IL Extension Office (Waterloo or Collinsville). Day of tour, tickets available at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 111 O’Fallon Troy Rd., O’Fallon.

June 3rd

10am-5pm—The Square in Bloom Garden Tour & Antique Fair. Get an exclusive look at some of the most unique gardens, yards, and outdoor spaces in St. Louis. Purchase tickets at Lafayettesquare.org.

June 3rd

10am-4pm—The Garden Conservancy Open Days. Explore St. Louis’ finest private gardens. The Garden Conservancy’s Open Day Garden Tour in St. Louis is a rain or shine event. Tickets and directions to the gardens are available on line at gardenconservancy.org/open days.

June 3rd-4th

10am—Annual Town and Country Garden Tour The Garden Tour includes both a walking tour of gardens in downtown Historic Hermann and a driving tour to gardens in the hills around Hermann. The $15 ticket price includes visits to at least four private gardens; these gardens are both in town and in the country and include a traditional four-square garden. Tickets will be sold online before the tour at Eventeny and at Topiaries (138 E. 4th) in downtown Hermann during the tour from 10-4 on Saturday and 10-3 on Sunday. Gardens close at 5PM on Saturday and 4PM on Sunday. A map to the gardens will be provided starting on Saturday June 3rd at the Topiaries ticket sale site. The Hermann Garden Club’s website www. hermanngardentours.com provides up-to-date events, ticket prices, links to the online ticket sale site, contact numbers, and photographs of past tour gardens. A special new event, The Garden Club High-End Estate Sale, will begin at 10am on Friday at the Rotunda in Upper City Park and continue until 6pm. There will be a preview from 3-6pm on Thursday; tickets for the preview are $10.

June 9th-10th

4-8pm Fri., 9am-1pm Sat.—Secret Garden Tour. The Garden Club of Lebanon, Illinois presents our Secret Garden Tour. Gardening ideas abound as you take a self-guided tour featuring 6 member gardens and 2 community gardens. Maps may be obtained 30 minutes prior to tour start at Lebanon Visitors’ Center 221 W. St. Louis St. Lebanon, IL. Admission is by donation and proceeds support our annual student scholarships. Go to gardencluboflebanon.org for additional information.

June 11th

Noon-4pm—New Town Garden Club Annual Garden Tour. Tour New Town home gardens that use small spaces for a big impact. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 on the day of the event. Purchase tickets by contacting Terri Steffes at terristeffes1117@gmail.com with Venmo.

June 11th

11am-4pm— The Sustainable Backyard Tour. Explore eco-friendly spaces throughout the St. Louis region for FREE! Talk to organic gardeners, orchardists, vegetable growers, chickenkeepers, beekeepers and more! Pick up tips on stormwater management, renewable energy and water conservation among other vital topics. Register to attend, host, volunteer or sponsor at SustainableBackyard. org

June 23rd-24th

4-8pm Fri., 9am-1pm Sat.—22nd Annual Madison County Garden Tour. Visit beautiful gardens in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, Illinois. The gardens may be toured at the leisure of the ticket holders. The tour is sponsored by Madison County Extension Foundation with the support of the University of Illinois Master Gardeners. More information at (618) 344-4230.

June 24th & 25th

9am-5pm—2023 Pond-O-Rama Tour. The 2023 tour will feature 23 private gardens owned and maintained by Society members. Tickets covering both days of the tour are $20 each (18 and older) and will be available at local retail shops and garden centers throughout the metropolitan area or on our website. A special 2023 Discount: Groups of 10 or more are only $10 each.

The gardens are located throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. This self-guided tour is arranged each day by geographic location. This year there are many new members who are excited to share their new ponds and waterfalls.

The tour ticket booklet provides location addresses, descriptions and driving directions. For more information on where to purchase tickets by mail order from the Society’s website in May, www.slwgs. org, and at many of our retailers and garden centers.

June 25th

Noon-4pm—Bittersweet Garden Club 23rd Annual Garden Tour. Tour five beautifully landscaped gardens in the Jefferson City area and discover fresh ideas to apply to your own gardens. Tour tickets are $10 if bought in advance Tour tickets purchased the day of the tour at a featured garden are $12. Children under 12 years of age are free. More information can be viewed at www.bittersweetgardenclub.com.

Ican’t think of two more different shrubs than leadplant (Amorpha canescens) and Indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa), yet they are practically siblings. Like my 6-foot, 6-inch-tall brother and me, we appear to be cut from different cloth, yet we are related.

In Missouri, leadplant grows in dry or rocky soils, often associated with dry prairies, open woodlands, and rocky glades. It is a 3-foot tall, finicky slow-poke. It may take five years for it to grow two to three feet. Though it performs best

Opposites Attract

Photos and text by Scott Woodbury

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

9814 Pleasant Hill Rd Jefferson City MO 65109 www.mowildflowers.net mowldflrs@socket.net

573-496-3492

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 MO63122. Give us your order by Tuesday before a sale, or pick from the selection at the market. April 29, and May 20 & 27; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shaw Nature Reserve, 307 Pineton Loop, Gray Summit 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.

Shopping at our Brazito (Jefferson City) location: Our retail store is open for you to make selections. You can also place an order and pick it up at the nursery.

Hours: Weekdays: Year - Round: 9 AM - 5 PM

Weekends: March 18 - July 2 & August 26 - October 15

Saturdays: 9 AM - 5 PM, Sundays: Noon - 5 PM We can ship your order! We ship plants on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays all year. UPS usually delivers the next day to Missouri and the surrounding states. Shipping charges apply.

in full sun, it can tolerate partial shade. It has the ability to grow in acidic soils (pH 4-6), as well as neutral soils (pH 6-8).

If you have acidic soil, you may also have success with goat’s rue (Tephrosia virginiana), Sampson’s snakeroot (Orbexilum pedunculatum), and fire pink (Silene virginica). My favorite companion plant for leadplant is prairie groundsel (Packera plattensis), a lowgrowing evergreen groundcover (5-7 inches), that fills in around the stems of this tiny, opengrowing shrub. When the groundsel is fully mature, it makes the perfect green (living) mulch. But be sure to not smother it in winter with fallen tree leaves. Yes, I like keeping fallen tree leaves in the garden where they lie, but here is the exception to the rule. Like all groundsels, this evergreen will thin out or disappear if covered with leaves in the winter. Remember, it’s an evergreen plant.

On the other hand, indigo bush grows in wetlands and along creeks and rivers. It is an 8-foot (tall and wide) carefree rocket ship, traveling at the speed of sound. When it sees leadplant in the garden, it says “See you later, alligator”!

In Missouri gardens, indigo bush matures quickly in any soil type, even clay. It prefers full sun, but will grow in partial shade. It is more upright and leggy in shady places (allowing other plants to grow beneath it), and fuller and broader in full sun (shading out most other plants). In the Pacific Northwest, it has become

Indigo bush blooming at Shaw Nature Reserve.

Leadplant and milkweed make complementary partners in this garden.

invasive in wet areas. Today’s lesson, my friends, grow plants that are native in your region; invasive species are no joke. Now the best part: Both of these shrubs have the most stunning flowers. Lead plant has purplish lavender flower spikes with gold pollen. The flowers contrast nicely with the plant’s fine-textured, gray foliage, and it blooms with butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)‚ the orange and purple flowers creating a spicy combination!

Indigo bush has similar, but dusky plum, flower spikes that also have gold pollen. The flowers are like tiny jewels. I like planting these close to a patio, walkway, or windows, because the flowers are so dark and are overlooked (by humans!) in the landscape. The bees won’t mind though; both species are massive pollinator magnets.

I hope you come to enjoy these two tried-and-true winners as much as I do. Both plants have staying power and will turn heads in your neighborhood. 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.

A closeup of indigo bush’s blossoms shows the gold pollen against the purple blossoms.

Leadplant’s bluish silver foliage and purple spikes provide nice contrasts in the garden.

Upcoming Events

themselves. Sherwood Forest Nursery and Garden Center, 2653 Barrett Station Rd., Manchester, MO 63021. RSVP requested to Sherwood Forest at (314) 966-0028.

Upcoming Events 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 September issue is August 1st.

How to reach us: Mail: PO Box 220853

St. Louis, MO 63122 Email: info@gatewaygardener. com

Fun for Kids

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 Wiethop Greenhouses. Please RSVP to Wiethops at 314-821-2598.

June 3rd

9am—Children’s Garden Club. Summer Color Bowl. FREE, no reservations required, everyone welcome. The Children’s Garden Club is designed to educate and bring delight in gardening to children with projects they do

Plant Sales, Garden Tours and Other Events

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 5th-6th

3-7pm Fri. (members only), 9am-1pm 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.

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.

9am-noon—Mason Ridge Garden Club Annual Plant Sale. Perennials and native plants from the Longview gardens and members’ gardens. Proceeds directly benefit the Longview Gardens. Cash or check only. Longview Farm Park,13525 Clayton Road, the northwest corner of Clayton and Mason, Town and Country. (314) 479-3156 or claire@ chosid.us.

May 7th

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.

May 13th

9am-3pm—Plant America Garden Expo. 308 Civic Park Drive. Activities for kids, plant sales, growing vegetables, flowers, garden clubs. Geo cache Treasure

hunt, vegetable gardening, composting, native trees and plants, food trucks, and nature tours. 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.

May 13th

9am-5pm—65th Annual African Violet Show & Sale

“Visions of Violets.” Presented by the Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council. Horticulture-Design exhibits, educational info and supplies. African violets and other gesneriads. Area growers will be on hand to give plant care advice and share information about this organization. Open to the public and free with Garden admission. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis 63110.

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

10am-2pm—Native Plant Sale. Presented by Grow Native! World Bird Sanctuary. 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Rd., Valley Park, 62035. Entry fee to World Bird Santuary is $8/car for one adult, $12/car for multiple passengers. 9am-noon—Kirkwood Garden Club Plant Sale. Kirkwood Train Station, Kirkwood, MO.

8am-noon—Mississippi Valley Garden Club Plant Sale. Alton-Wood River Sportsman’s Club., 3109 Godfrey Rd, Godfrey, IL 62035. We will have many perennials, herbs, natives and houseplants. Irises, daylilies, hosta, and more.

Gently used gardening items, books.

May 19th-20th

5-8pm Fri., 7am-noon Sat.

O’Fallon MO Garden Club Plant Sale. Native plants, annuals, herbs and houseplants from club members own collections. Gently used gardening items, books, etc. Experienced gardeners available for assistance. 46 Spangle Way Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366. Visit www. ofallonmogarden.com.

May 20th

10am-noon—Bellefontaine

Evergreen Meadow Walking Tour. Join one of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum’s horticulturalists for a walking tour exploring the natural areas on the east side of the property. From meadow to forest, this tour will explore native plants and plant communities and discuss the natural history of BCA and the surrounding region. We will also discuss the value of restoring native areas and their impact on wildlife. Be prepared to walk on uneven terrain with moderate slopes. Upon arrival to 4947 W. Florissant Ave, a greeter will give parking and meeting instructions.To register for this event, email outreach@ mopraire.org or call 636-303-

7418. Sponsored by Missouri Prairie Foundation and Grow Native!

May 28th

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

June 2nd and 3rd

Conifer Society Central Region Conference and Speaker Series. Features the renowned horticulturist Panayoti Kelaidis as keynote speaker on Friday evening, coach buses to four beautiful conifer gardens on Saturday, conifer auctions and more. For details, and registration, visit conifersociety.org/news-events/ event/2023-central-regionannual-meeting/. Registration closes May 10th. Event is at Double Tree by Hilton Conference Center, 10100 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS.

June 10th 9am-5pm—St. Louis

Carnivorous Plant Society

Annual Sale. Missouri Botanical Garden Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center. 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, 63110.

NEED A SPEAKER?

Master Gardener Speakers Bureau volunteers are available to speak to garden clubs, church, civic and other groups.

Choose from 53 programs, including A Dark Side to Winter Damage, Backyard Composting, Soil Preparation, Daylilies, Orchids, and more.

Explore the complete list of topics at www.stlmg.org. Look for the Speakers Bureau tab in the top margin.

(A $50 fee funds Master Gardener programming in our community.)

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You can have The Gateway Gardener delivered right to your home. Just complete this form and mail it with $24 for postage and handling to the address below. You’ll receive 7 issues (a one-year subscription) beginning with the next issue.

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Please make your check payable to The Gateway Gardener and mail it with this form to:

The Gateway Gardener PO Box 220853 St. Louis, MO 63122