Gateway Gardener
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
THE
速
Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes
Hollies
Deck Your Outdoor Halls
2014 Holiday Gift Guide Mixing it up with Poinsettias! Outdoor Container Ideas for the Holidays
FREE Courtesy of:
FIND A GIFT For Almost Anything You Need In The Garden (Including Hard To Find Tools)
We Have a Complete Line of Bird Feeders and Bird Seed Gift Certificates Available e” Lik
“
Us
on
115 E. Argonne Kirkwood, MO (314) 822 -0083
Hours: m-f 9:00-5:30 Sat 8:30-5:00 Sun Noon-4
We Accept:
Christmas All Shiny and Bright!
Let us help you celebrate the season. Gifts Trees Wreaths Lights Bows and a whole lot more!
Holiday Open House November 30th 9am-5pm Snacks Served All Day. Unadvertised Specials!
- Personal Checks & Cash
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Join us for our annual Holiday Open House to find the perfect tree or gift for the gardener in your life. December 6th & 7th
HOME & GARDEN :: LANDSCAPING :: IRRIGATION :: MAINTENANCE
11530 Gravois Rd. • 314-843-4700 1-1/4 Miles East of I-270 • Open 7 Days SappingtonGardenShop.com
550 HIGHWAY F DEFIANCE, MO 63341 636.798.2555 ::::: FRISELLANURSERY.COM
Gateway Gardener THE
®
Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes
November/December 2014 Volume 10, Number 9
Founded in 2005 by
Joyce Bruno and Robert Weaver
Publisher and Editor Robert Weaver Columnists
Barbara Perry Lawton Garden Book Author and Garden Writer Connie Alwood Master Gardener Ellen Barredo Certified Nursery Professional Diane Brueckman Rosarian Joyce Driemeyer Master Gardener Scott Woodbury Native Plant Specialist Mara Higdon Gateway Greening Glenn Kraemer Turf Horticulturist Steffie Littlefield Nursery Professional Printing: Breese Publishing, Breese, IL The Gateway Gardener® is published monthly 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
The Gateway Gardener® is printed on recycled newsprint using environmentally friendly soy-based ink, and is a member of the PurePower® renewable energy resources network.
T
From the Editor
he English holly and its native counterpart, the American holly, are historic symbols of the winter holiday season. This year, sadly, was a tough one for hollies; indeed for many trees, but especially evergreens. In my volunteer role at the Missouri Botanical Garden Horticulture Answer Service, I was on the front line of many concerned calls regarding dead and dying holly trees this spring and summer. The cause was likely an accumulation of many extreme weather-related events and conditions over the past several seasons that conspired to do harm to hollies and other evergreens. Whether you want to replace a lost holly, or try a member of this diverse family for the first time, you’ll want to read Barbara Perry Lawton’s review of the genus, its interesting history, diversity, and the care that may help your holly celebrate many future seasons. Equally symbolic of the season are the joys of decorating and sharing gifts, and we have
check out the unique items on these pages, then head to your favorite independent garden center. A great day to do so would be Saturday, November 29th, the date for this year’s annual Small Business Saturday.
suggestions for both! Ellen Barredo explores some of the new takes on the old standard, poinsettia, including new color choices for this traditional holiday symbol, as well as a variety of options for pairing them with other plants for festive combination planters (page 10). And, though we didn’t give her much space to do so, Steffie Littlefield makes the most of it with some ideas on turning your outdoor planters into cheerful holiday designs (page 11).
My tendency with this combined November/December issue is to focus on December, so let me pull back a bit to recognize the traditional start of the holiday season by giving thanks to all who have contributed to another enjoyable Gateway Gardener year, including my family, friends and the many contributors, advertisers and foremost, the gardening community and readers whose constant encouragement has made this endeavor a personal blessing.
Happy Holidays!
Finally, we return with our always-popular annual Holiday Gift Guide on pages 8-9. There is no easier way to shop for the gardener on your list than to
On the Cover...
Few plants provide more iconic decoration for the Holidays than the holly. But the holly most associated with winter holidays is but one of many great species. Learn about the Ilex family and how to grow and care for them on page 4. Photo by Laura Perlick, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
IN THIS ISSUE 4 Hollies 6 Annuals for Butterflies 8 Holiday Gift Guide for Gardeners 10 Mixing it Up with Poinsettias 11 Holiday Container Ideas 12 Dig This! 14 Gardening With Your Family 15 Upcoming Events
Hollies
M
yths and beliefs about holly trees and bushes developed long ago and continue to this day. The traditions go back to a number of holly characteristics. The genus Ilex, which includes all the hollies, includes evergreens (remain green throughout the coldest winter months) as well as deciduous species (drop their leaves); most of both types produce persistent bright red (or yellow or gold) berries. Holly sexes are borne on separate plants, that is, they are dioecious. Thus it is essential for there to be a male holly of the same species reasonably near the female hollies if the females are to bear the colorful berries.
A Million Garden Tools in One!
(Okay, maybe not a million, but certainly tons. Our favorite #1 tool!)
by Barbara Perry Lawton specimen plants as well as when used in combination with other ornamentals. An added plus is that the prickly leafed hollies are highly resistant to deer and rabbits.
An American robin enjoys a midwinter treat from the decidiuous holly, winterberry. To ancient Celts as well as Druids, Greeks and Romans, the evergreen hollies represented growth and life in the coldness of the dark months. The thorns of the holly are symbolic of its protective properties and are said to protect against lightning (I wouldn’t trust that one!). American Indians believed holly was a token of success in battle. Holly also was used medicinally in early times as a treatment for tuberculosis, colic, whooping cough and toothache.
and red berries, but there are American Holly (Ilex opaca) is some 400 species of shrubs and trees in this genus. While most of them are evergreen and native to temperate and tropical regions of the world, a number are prized for their ornamental value as broadleaf evergreens or deciduous berry producers, as mentioned.
Hollies are versatile, useful in a wide range of situations ranging from foundation plantings to screens, hedges and wind breaks. Hollies combine The classic holly of Christmas well with other broadleaf and tradition is a big shrub with needled trees and shrubs. They stiff, prickly, shiny green leaves are handsome when used as The Incredible Soil Knife Plant bulbs & flowers Divide Perennials Dig out weeds Saw through roots Prepare furrows for seeding Chop greens off root veggies And so much more! Lifetime Guarantee
For exceptional and rare plants, plus all the best in gardening
1011 N. Woodlawn Kirkwood, MO 63122 314-965-3070 www.SugarCreekGardens.com
4
It also is important to know that hollies are at their best when grown in sun to partial shade in soil that drains well and is moist, slightly acid and loamy. Be sure to check on the specific requirements for each species. The following are but a few of the holly species that will thrive in our climate.
The Gateway Gardener®
American holly, I. opaca. a handsome native evergreen holly noted for its long-lasting red berries and prickly leaves. The species may grow up to 50 feet tall. English Holly (I. aquifolium) is considered by many a more attractive landscape plant than our native, with glossier, darker green, spiny leaves. This holly will grow up to 80 feet in height. The brilliant red berries are numerous and persist into winter. Meserve Hollies (I. x meserveae) are sensational hybrids of the rugged cold-hardy prostrate holly (I. rugosa) and English holly. They are the socalled “blue” hollies, including ‘Blue Girl’, ‘Blue Maid’, and ‘Blue Stallion’. The popular Foster hollies (I. x attenuata) are more compact trees than the
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
Foster holly, I. x attenuata ‘Fosterii’ American or English hollies, with glossy green leaves on a compact pyramidal habit. Winterberry (I. verticillata). My favorite of all the deciduous hollies is this one, a shrub that can grow up to about six feet or more in height. Although the leaves drop in the fall, the bright berries are so plentiful that you can barely see through the shrubby growth. ‘Winter Red’ is my favorite cultivar with its profuse red berries that last well into February. There also are varieties with yellow and gold berries. Inkberry (I. glabra) is a well-branched, evergreen holly shrub that grows only about six feet tall and has leaves that are smoothly edged and of a lustrous dark green in the summer. The fruits are not particularly ornamental as they are black and often hidden in the foliage. Inkberry is a good choice for hedges, massed plantings and foundation plantings. Longstalk
Holly
pedunculosa) is an undersung evergreen native of Japan and China that is, according to tree expert Michael Dirr, “one of the most handsome of the evergreen hollies—should be used more than it is.” Usually growing about 15 feet tall, this holly bears bright red berries that persist into November. Photo credits: Winterberry and Foster holly, courtesy Robert Weaver American holly courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden Plantfinder
(I.
The Holly Society stimulates interest, promotes research and collects and disseminates knowledge about this wonderful plant group. There is a quarterly Holly Society Journal. Membership is $25.00 annually. Address: Holly Society of America, Inc., 309 Buck Street, Millville, NJ 08332-3819.
Barbara Perry Lawton is a writer, author, speaker and photographer. She has served as manager of publications for Missouri Botanical Garden and as weekly garden columnist for the PostDispatch. The author of a number of gardening and natural history books, and contributor to many periodicals, she has earned regional and national honors for her writing and photography. Barbara is also a Master Gardener and volunteers at MBG.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
The Gateway Gardener®
NATURE’S SOURCE Plant Food is safe, easy & effective for all your gardening needs!
New, easy dosing pump Perennials Shrubs & Trees Pansies & Mums Use the locator on the NATURE’S SOURCE page of our website to nd out where you can get yours.
Wholesale grower serving the St. Louis area since 1966 “We’ve been professionally growing with NATURE’S SOURCE for 15 years.” -Christine Ritter Mason, Owner
www.rittergreenhouse.com 5
The Native Nook Butterflies? Don’t Forget the annuals! by Scott Woodbury
and suburban gardens that are full of flowering plants, especially long-blooming colorful annuals. I noticed it first at St. Louis Community College in Kirkwood where an unusual amount of Monarch butterflies were darting between non-native Mexican sunflower, purpletop vervain and tropical milkweed. Strange as it may seem, they had more monarchs than the Whitmire Wildflower Garden in Gray Summit! Mental note for 2015: plant more colorful native annuals like rocky mountain bee plant, Helen’s flower, Tiger swallowtail on a non-native annual, Verbena bonariensis. western wallflower and partridge pea. I noticed the same at the St. Louis garden of Mark Kalk and Mark Lammert (National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat) which had a steady flow of monarchs getting nectar from non-native cleome, lantana and Victoria blue salvia. They also observed several monarch chrysalises hanging on the garage gutter nearby. Mental note #2: install a horizontal board 4 to 7 feet high near milkweed patches for monarch chrysalis production. At the third garden of James and Jan Trager (Audubon Certified Bring Conservation Home Platinum Garden) were red salvia, snow on
Homeowners Jan and James Traeger in their Bring Conservation Home Platinum Certified landscape. 6
The Gateway Gardener®
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
Scott Woodbury
Robert Weaver
T
his late summer and fall I visited three gardens that had an abundance of insect diversity, most noticeably, monarch butterflies. Each had mixtures of native and non-native perennials and a variety of colorful non-native annuals. It was terrific to see so much monarch activity after the population crash last winter in Mexico. I assume the extra milkweeds planted this year made a difference but am sure of one thing. Monarch butterflies and many other butterflies, skippers, bees and wasps are attracted to urban
Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants for a peek in the freezer and comes home with something delicious on his face. Final garden note: make sure the 2015 garden is full of delicious annuals. Collect seeds now, store them dry in the fridge, grow and plant liberally in spring. Happy gardening ya’ll.
A Grow Native! Top 10 List
Top Native Nectar Plants for Butterflies Featured Category:
Attractive • Drought-tolerant • Long-blooming • Attracts Pollinators Feeds Migrating Monarch Butterflies
Scott Woodbury
Plant name (annuals)
A scene from the Mark Lammert and Mark Kalk landscape certified as a National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat. the mountain, zinnia, tropical milkweed and no surprise, monarch butterflies. Third note: get Audubon and National Wildlife Federation native habitat certification for the Whitmire Wildflower Garden and install a Wild Ones sign that says “This garden is in harmony with nature”. All three organizations have native garden/ habitat yard signs that identify native gardens. Recently my gardening friend, Linda Ellis, told me about Richard and Joan Heitzman, who wrote the acclaimed Butterflies and Moths of Missouri. They were amateur entomologists and butterfly gardeners who planted rows of zinnias, Mexican sunflowers, African daisies, and night-blooming flowering tobacco (for moths). The plantings resembled runway strips that lead to a garden full of Missouri native plants. Linda said that they brought in the butterflies with the eye-catching colors and nectar rewards and kept them there with the native plants to nest and catch prey in and lay eggs on. The Heitzman’s realized that many annuals attract many butterflies, like my 7-year- old who can’t get enough ice cream at grandma’s house. Nearly every day he walks next door Horticulturalist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for more than 20 years.
HeigHt
UniqUe qUality
1
Rocky Mountain beeplant (Polanisia dodecandra)
16–20"
Pink flowers summer-fall. Reseeds.
2
Helen’s flower (Helenium amarum)
8–14"
Yellow flowers summer-fall.
3
Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
20–30"
Yellow flowers summer-fall. Reseeds.
4
Snow-on-the mountain (Eupatorium marginatum)
30–60"
Green & white flowers summer. Reseeds.
5
Palafox (Palafoxia callosa)
18–30"
Pink flowers late summer-fall. Reseeds.
6
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
24–36"
Nectar attracts butterflies, seeds eaten by goldfinches
7
Slender mountain mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)
20–24"
Nectar attracts skippers, butterflies & bees
8
Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
36–48"
Monarchs eat nectar in fall migration
9
New England aster (Aster novae-angliae)
48–60"
Monarchs eat nectar in fall migration
Eastern blazingstar (Liatris scariosa)
30–42"
Nectar attracts skippers, butterflies and bees
Plant name (perennials) HeigHt
10
UniqUe qUality
Grow Native! is a native plant education and marketing program of the
We’re Just a Short Trip to Incredible! NURSERY & FLORIST
www.hillermann.com
2601 E. 5th Street • Washington, MO • 636-239-6729
Hours: M-F: 8:00 to 6:00, Sat: 8:00 to 5:00, Sun: 9:00 to 5:00
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
The Gateway Gardener®
7
Holiday Gifts
Looking for that special gift for your favorite gardener? We asked area garden cen or clip and leave conspicuously lying arou Sugar Creek Gardens 1011 N. Woodlawn Kirkwood, MO 314-965-3070 SugarCreekGardens.com
environmentally friendly and resourceful way to produce their own fertilizer right at home. $108
Worm’s Way 1225 N. Warson Rd. Saint Louis MO 314-994-3900 WormsWay.com
Sunleaves Worm Farm Turns kitchen waste into rich, all-natural fertilizer that’s great for any garden. The farm is a four-layer home for red wiggler worms, which will eagerly devour those unwanted food scraps and other wastes. Gardeners will love this 8
$9.99-14.99 Greenscapes Gardens 2832 Barrett Station Rd. Manchester, MO (314) 821-2440 GreenscapeGardens.com
Garden Heights Nursery, Inc 1605 S Big Bend St. Louis, MO 314-645-7333 GardenHeights.com
Floral Apron
A beautiful floral apron perfect for the gardener who likes to look pretty. Botanical style polianthes flowers adapted from the original Royal Horticultural Society archive illustrations are richly produced on this apron. Made from 100% cotton with PVC coating, it looks great even after digging weeds in the mud. $25.99.
OK Hatchery 115 E. Argonne Dr. Kirkwood, MO 63122 (314) 822-0083
Docksmiths Driftwood and birch docking stations for smartphones and tablets. Made by hand from wood collected on the shoreline of Maine. $82.00-120.00 Sandy’s Back Porch 2004 West Blvd. Belleville, IL (618) 235-2004 SandysBackPorch.com
Pet Ornaments Holiday dog/cat ornaments. Perfect for all pet lovers!
Wild Delight Bird Food Products Wild Delight® produces more of what birds crave. Specific blends in 5-lb. bags, hang-able blocks, and the Finch Sock Feeder, proceeds from which help support the fight against breast cancer. Hillermann Nursery & Florist 2601 E. 5th Street Washington, MO 63090 636-239-6729 Hillermann.com
Lake St. Louis Garden Center 3230 Technology Dr. Lake St. Louis, MO (636) 561-0124 LakeStLouisGardenCenter. com
Decorative Hanging Glass Globes These beautiful 4” decorative glass globes come in many designs and colors. They are also available with a tree design inside the glass globe. Each design is unique. These colorful globes can accent any décor and will look great in a location where light can be reflected through the globe. The Gateway Gardener®
Bird Statuary Help support wildlife in your garden by planting a birdfriendly garden and joining the St. Louis Audubon Society’s Bring Conservation Home program. Then, accessorize it with some beautiful bird garden art, like these Cardinal statues. Prices start at $19.99.
Living Ornaments Give the gift that keeps on giving. Living Ornaments are perfect for friends and family.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
for Gardeners
nters and other related shops for some suggestions to make your shopping easier-und as a not-so-subtle hint to your Santa. We have many sizes and styles available. These are great for hostess and office gifts! Starting at $21.99. Sappington Garden Shop 11530 Gravois Rd. St. Louis, MO (314) 843-4700 SappingtonGardenShop.com
Glass Birdbath Bowls. Stylize your garden with a beautiful glass birdbath bowl. Food safe and can be used at gatherings. Many styles of bowls including St. Louis Cardinals.Bowls from $39.99. Stands from $19.99. Easels 12.99. Daniel’s Farm & Greenhouse 352 Jungermann Rd. St. Peters, MO (636) 441-5048
balsam and fraser fir Christmas trees and live green spruce. Frisella Nursery 550 Hwy F, Defiance, MO (636) 798-2555 FrisellaNursery.com
totally “brown thumb” will have success with these items. Choose from the Living Canvas, Air Pendant, Life Magnetic, Zen Pocket and Terrarium Collections. Many styles, and options! From $10.99 Ann’s Garden & Greenhouse 5130 Mexico Rd. St. Peters, MO (636) 244-5533 AnnsGandG.com
Opinel Knives The iconic French pocketknife that’s perfect for gardening. Same simple, robust and affordable design since 1890, featuring a solid wood handle, stainless steel blade and patented locking mechanism. Comes in five stocking stuffer sizes. Rolling Ridge Nursery 60 N. Gore Webster Groves, MO (314) 962-3311 Rolling RidgeNursery.com
DanielsFarmAndGreenhouse. com
Fairy Gardens Fairy gardens and succulent gardens are two of the many passions of the owner at Ann’s gardens. She has seen this trend come around several times in the 50+ years she has been involved with growing plants. Her creations come from within. Gutter Gardens LLC GutterGardens.com (314)255-1845 (618) 334-2504
Holiday Greenery Fresh greens, wreaths, pine roping, holly and poinsettias. Decorated or plain grave blankets and grave sprays. Cut
Living Ornaments We think there is no better or more beautiful gift than plants! All of these everlasting gifts are designed with super easy and durable plant varieties. Care is extremely minimal A Kit for Cats and even a person with a
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
The Gateway Gardener®
Attention cat lovers (and their friends): The Purr-fect Gift! This attractive, watertight container attaches to a baseboard or windowsill to provide your feline friends with fresh cat greens. The complete Kit has seed and starter for 3+ crops of oat and wheat grass and easy directions to ensure success! $12 at Creekside Gardens and at GutterGardens. com. Effinger Garden Center 720 South 11th St Belleville IL 62220 618-234-4600 EffingerGarden.com
Holiday Greens Fresh Greens, wreaths, roping, holly and poinsettias. Custom decorated grave blankets, grave sprays and pillows. Cut fraser fir Christmas trees and live blue spruce.
Support These and Other Local Indie Businesses on
Nov 29th 9
Mixing it Up with Poinsettias
Robert Weaver
by Ellen Barredo
also debuts in February for Valentine’s Day. In Europe and Japan this poinsettia is enjoyed year round as an indoor blooming plant. Unfortunately, here in St. Louis we are not likely to see this beautiful blooming ‘Princettia’ beauty for sale in the ‘off season’. For the holidays, though, ‘Princettia’ paired with succulents will be featured at Greenscape Gardens in Ballwin and Bowood Farm in St. Louis, and possibly other independent garden centers. Check with your favorite garden spot!
Mumsettia
A
new trend this year is to take the traditional poinsettia and Mumsettia is going to be offered at Ann’s Garden Center in St. mix it up with other plants to create a festive and new Peters. This combo takes two traditional holiday plants and mixes them for a formal look. Especially striking are red Poinsettias look for the holidays. Here are a few examples. A new poinsettia introduction this year is the ‘Princettia’. This surrounded by white mums. This is a fun twist. naturally compact poinsettia was originally developed for off- Snow Poinsettias have become a tradition for several years at Fahr season sales in addition to being available for the Christmas Holiday. Greenhouse in Wildwood. Beautiful poinsettias are surrounded by The ‘Princettia’ poinsettia is available in four shades of pink, and the airy Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’. A perfect centerpiece created was chosen for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October and for that formal dining room table. Mini Poinsettias still rule and make the perfect office gift. They can be placed in dish gardens, terrariums, or displayed individually in mini pots running down the center of a dining table. Mini Poinsettias also make an awesome teacher gift! Perhaps you can gift a co-worker? Ellen Barredo is a Missouri Certified Nursery Professional with more than 30 years in professional horticulture. She works at Bowood Farms and can be reached at (314) 454-6868 or ebarredo@msn.com.
NOV 22–JAN 3 G et
o your glow n at the Garden! Presented by
GARDENLAND EXPRESS Holiday Flower & Train Show
Professional Gardening Service • since
Nov. 22–Jan. 4 Celebrate Our Passion for Plants Presented by
These are just a few ideas. Check with your favorite independent garden center to see how they’re mixing it up with poinsettias this holiday season.
1992 •
Garden desiGn and rearranGement • sprinG cleanup of Gardens • mulchinG • Soil testing and preparation • Complete annual and perennial delivery and plantinG • maintenance—weedinG, deadheadinG, fertilizinG and insect control • Composting • Shrub and ornamental tree pruning and thinning • Indoor plant repottIng • Fall bulb plantIngs • greenhouse care • Winter preparation for beds and roses • Vegetable & Herb Gardening
Gift Certificates Available
Event tickets individually priced 4344 Shaw Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63110 • (314) 577-5100 • www.mobot.org
10
314-961-6380 www.floraandfaunaltd.com The Gateway Gardener®
Gary & Gail Abbott
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
Holiday Container Ideas by Steffie Littlefield
C
reate a natural and welcoming display for your guests over the Holidays. Using a mix of fresh cut greens like noble fir, douglas fir, white pine tips, golden cedar and berried juniper fill, your empty outdoor containers with a fragrant display at your home’s entrance. For height and color add red and yellow twig dogwood stems. Golden curly willow and boughs of winterberry holly makes your arrangement explode with energy and bright flashes. Huge sugar pine cones tipped with sap are elegant additions to containers and window boxes, or can be clustered at the base. For added whimsy try stems with lights that twinkle at night, glittery branches that sparkle when your porch lights are on, or ornaments on picks that give your display a festive party look. To learn more, join me for a class on Holiday Decorating November 11th at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Members Day.
Family of Products!
Starter fertilizer now available in 5 lb bags. Perfect for overseeding bare spots!
Valley Park Elevator & Hardware 2 Marshall Rd Valley Park, MO 63088 636-225-7100
Steffie Littlefield is a horticulturist and garden designer at Garden Heights Nursery. She has degrees from St. Louis Community College at Meramec and Southeast Missouri State and is a member of Gateway Professional Horticultural Association and past president of the Horticulture Co-op of Metropolitan St. Louis.
ValleyParkElevator.com Monday - Friday 7am to 7pm Saturday - 7am to 5:30pm • Sunday - 9am to 3pm
It’s Holiday Time at
Deck your halls with... • Poinsettias • Christmas planters • Pine roping • Plain and decorated wreaths • Custom grave blankets • Gift certificates and much more...
Fertilizer Available At These Dyna Green™ Authorized Dealers:
Church orders and fundraisers welcome!
Call TODAY to place your order! 5130 Mexico Rd. St. Peters, MO 63376
(636) 244-5533
www.AnnsGandG.com
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
The Gateway Gardener®
Ann’s Garden & Greenhouse LLC Bayer’s Garden Shop Kirkwood Material Supply
Listen to The McGraw Show M-F 6-10am
Passiglia Nursery Sappington Garden Shop Valley Park Elevator & Hardware
11
Dig This!
Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News Trust, a restored and reconstructed, conservationmanaged and professionally landscaped “garden” which is offered as a free, by-reservation educational center for individual and small group learning experiences.
Washington Wins AIB Awards
Members of the Washington In Bloom Steering Committee The City of Washington, MO has entered the prestigious America in Bloom (AIB) “Circle of Champions” this year — an honor only 13 other cities in the country have achieved. The Circle of Champions designation honors the achievement of communities that have won a combination of three population and/or criteria awards over the years. Overall, more than 239 cities in more than 40 states participate in the program. In addition to being named to the Circle of Champions, the city also earned the highest “bloom rating,” five blooms, in the national competition, and took home an award for its urban forestry efforts for the second year in a row. This award is given to only one AIB participant each year. The city also received a special mention for landscaped areas. Washington took top honors in its population this year, which qualified the city to participate in the international competition. The awards were announced during the annual America in Bloom symposium in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 2-4.
Missouri Presented
Prairie
Foundation
Awards
The Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) recently recognized several individuals who have made outstanding contributions for the cause of prairies and prairie flora and fauna through land ownership, professional contribution, and volunteer work.
The group presented its “Clair M. Kucera Award for Prairie Landowner of the Year” award to Lorna Domke. Ms. Domke, of New Bloomfield, MO, serves as the President of the Board of the non-profit Prairie Garden
12
The “Bill T. Crawford Award for Prairie Professional of Left to right: Mervin Wallace, the Year” went to Lorna Domke and Monte Abbott. Mervin Wallace, owner of Missouri Wildflowers Nursery in Brazito, MO, who has been in the business of propagating and selling plants of Missouri genetic origin for more than 30 years. According to the MPF, Mr. Wallace’s catalog “has become a handbook for beginning and longtime native plant gardeners, and he has earned the respect of his naturalist peers and has given us more access to some very fine plants and the knowledge to grow them well.” Lastly, the “Donald M. Christisen Award for Prairie Volunteer of the Year” award was bestowed upon Monte Abbott of St. Louis, who was a partner in creating the non-profit Sustainable St. Louis and has taken on a number of projects that have specifically targeted the Shaw neighborhood in St. Louis. Among the initiatives he and his partner have undertaken is the mobilization of volunteers to convert four massive corners of an underpass at Interstate 44 (the Thurman Gateway) to prairie plantings. He also converted an impressive section of I-44 right-of-way to plant a savanna of various shrubs and nectar plants that he personally maintains. In addition, Mr. Abbott recently grew 250 milkweeds from seed that are being sold to residents in the Shaw neighborhood.
EarthDance Launches Farm Apprenticeship Applications
&
Garden
For 6 years, students at EarthDance have spent each growing season learning the skills of organic agriculture production and small business planning at the historic Mueller Farm in Ferguson. The non-profit educates and provides resources for anyone seeking to start their own agrarian endeavor, and has seen roughly 150 “Freshman Farmies” participate in the apprenticeship program since its creation. Founded in 2008, EarthDance is the only organic farm The Gateway Gardener®
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
well as field trips to nearby farms. Those interested in the apprenticeship are encouraged to tour or volunteer on the farm this Fall. Applications for the Farm & Garden Apprenticeship can be found at www.earthdancefarms. org. EarthDance also encourages public attendance at the apprenticeship classes for those who cannot commit to the entire program. These will be held on Tuesdays beginning in mid-April from 6:00-7:30pm. school in the bi-state region. “Through the apprenticeship, we seek to offer students a comprehensive introduction to the operation of a small farm, homestead, or garden. The programming is designed to accommodate people of various skill levels and allow even busy professionals the opportunity to get their hands dirty on a part-time basis,” said Program Director Rachel Levi.
In addition to commercial-scale farming, EarthDance provides students the opportunity to learn and work in its permaculture-inspired Seven Generations Garden. This space focuses on native species, companion planting, and space-saving methods like straw bale beds and herb spirals. The garden serves as a living classroom for farm visitors as well, where individuals from all walks of life can learn these varied growing techniques. The Farm and Garden Apprenticeship runs from midApril through the end of September and includes guest presentations by numerous agricultural professionals, as
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
The Gateway Gardener®
New Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening Store Opens
Advanced Garden Supply opened in September at 2126 Woodson Road. Owners Don and Heather Willman say the store offers hydroponic and organic gardening supplies from a variety of distributors, providing a great variety of equipment and supplies. Customers will be treated with incentives like cash discounts and volume discounts without having to sign up for anything. They also bring to the store the experience they’ve gained from operating another hydroponics store in Jefferson City for the past 2 years. Find out more by visiting their website at www.advancedgardensupplymo.com or following them on facebook at www.facebook.com/ AdvancedGardenSupplyMO. You can reach them at (314) 801-7311 or email advancedgardensupply@ hotmail.com.
13
Gardening with your family by Mara Higdon
Check Out Our Selection of:
Fraser Fir Trees • Poinsettias • Wreaths & All Types of Roping Hand Tied Bows • Colonial Candles • Live Greens Red Twig Dogwood Branches Fresh Berried Winterberry & Magnolia Branches
Home to Old World Christmas Ornaments
stand up and garden
At the close of another year, we gratefully pause to wish you blessings galore!
Give the Gift of Gardening! 314.255.1845 • 618.334.2504
www.guttergardens.com
Custom DESIGNS for each unique site
Rolling Ridge Nursery Lawn and Garden Center 60 NORTH GORE WEBSTER GROVES, MO 63119 (314) 962-3311 www.rollingridgenursery.com “Over 50 Years of Quality & Friendly Service!” Like us on Facebook!
14
INSTALLATION of beautiful plants and walls, paths, and patios Meticulous MAINTENANCE of every property entrusted to our care
Sunflowers Many people plant sunflowers for the big sunny petals and height that come from many of the large cultivars of sunflowers. Mammoth is a good one to try. Kids can easily grasp and plant the seed themselves. Once established, watering can also be a child-relegated task that they will enjoy. Once the sunflower’s heads form and seeds begin to develop, cover the flowers with a paper bag to keep the birds from eating all the seeds. You’ll be able to Carrots Plant a couple of tell that the seeds are ready to rows. There are smaller/shorter be harvested when the back of varieties that have a shorter the flower head turns brown, maturity date that are fun for cut down the stalk and have kids to try out. There are also the kids pick out the sunflower carrots that are purple, red, and seeds with their hands. Soak yellow that might also entice the seeds overnight in a gallon and get kids excited at harvest of water to which a cup of salt has been added, then dry them time. again in an oven at 250 degrees Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes To F for 4 to 5 hours. Store them in plant potatoes, start at St. Patty’s an airtight container. Day and get them in the ground. There are hundreds of varieties There are many ways to get of potatoes: reds, purples, cream your family involved in the colored, small ones and big ones. garden. Plan to include them Potatoes will be ready to harvest in your garden plans next year. by early summer. After that, Budding gardeners with an sweet potato slips can go into appreciation for what nature has the ground in June. The harvest to offer will be the best living will be in October. Be prepared thing you nurture in 2015. for oooo’s and ahhhhh’s. When unearthed, sweet potatoes are a sight to behold. Photo courtesy Jennifer Schamber
W
hat good is getting excited about gardening if you don’t share the excitement and knowledge with those closest to you? If you’ve never experienced the wonder on a child’s face who gets to pull a carrot out of the ground or sift through a shovel full of soil to find potatoes, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You’re also missing out on an opportunity to teach the next generation the value of taking care of the world around us and how the kids. Include them from the garden intersects our lives in beginning by planting those first seeds or transplants, watering, many ways. weeding, measuring growth Here are a few veggies that when possible, and finally you should consider planting harvesting and eating the fruits with your kids, your grandkids, of their labor. or even the neighborhood
Peanuts A delightful legume to grow, harvest, prepare, and eat together, peanuts grow underground and as garden plants go, are a crowd pleaser. Peanuts planted in the late spring take about 100 days till harvest. A strong and healthy peanut bush will produce 30-50 peanuts per plant. The peanuts are then dried right on the bush for 3 weeks and then you can roast them in the oven. The Gateway Gardener®
Mara Higdon is the Program Director at Gateway Greening, Inc. They focus on community development through gardening throughout the St. Louis area. You can reach her at (314) 588-9600 x22 or by email at mara@ gatewaygreening.org.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
Upcoming Events Send your event information to: PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122; (314) 961-6345, or:info@gatewaygardener.com
FUN FOR KIDS November 1st and December 6th 11am-2pm—Hillermann’s First Saturday Kids. Play in the garden and enjoy a FREE activity. November: Make a Bird Feeder; December: Make a Christmas Ornament. Hillermann Nursery & Florist (636) 239-6729. Hillermann.com. December 6th 9 am—Holiday Decorating—Children’s Garden Club. FREE. Sherwood’s Forest Nursery & Garden Center. 2651 Barrett Station Rd. (314) 966-0028.
CLASSES, EVENTS
LECTURES
AND
November 1st 10am—Amaryllis for Holiday Displays. Discover the best varieties, plus tips for growing, making flowers last and propagation . Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070 for reservations. November 13th 1-4pm—Native Plant School: Control and ID of Invasive Species. $15 ($12 Garden/SNR members). Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve. For reservations or more information, call (636) 451-3512 or visit www. shawnature.org. November 8th 10am-Noon—Community Gardening : A Guide for Planning and Development of a Community. Garden Speaker Gail Devilbliss, Master Gardener Coordinator, University of Illinois. Fairview Heights Senior Center (rear of Municipal Building, 10025 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights, IL). Nov. 9th 1pm—Fashion Show Luncheon. Enjoy tableside modeling of boutique women’s wear and accessories along with a 3-course lunch. 20% off coupon on purchase of ladies’ items. Fundraiser for Drace Park Kropp Log Cabin Gardens and programs. Hosted by Town & Country Garden Club. $32. Call 314-276-9461 or pamjokerst@gmail.com to reserve your space. Dream House and Tea Room, 15425 Clayton Road at Kehrs Mill, Ballwin. November 8th and 15th 10am—Holiday Outdoor Containers and Decorations Using Natural Elements. Learn how to use the bounty of your yard, along with seasonal ornaments and evergreen plants to create exquisite containers and decorations. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070 for reservations. November 9th 10am-5pm—Christmas Open House in Old Webster. Visit Rolling Ridge Nursery and all the other Old Webster retailers to celebrate the start of the Holiday Season. This year, the nursery is hosting the Webster Groves Historial Society’s Christmas Market. Rolling Ridge Nursery, 60 N. Gore, Webster Groves, MO, 63119. November 12th 5-7:30pm—Urban Vitality & Ecology: Nature as an Economic Developer. Part of the “Wild Ideas Worth Sharing” Speaker Series
at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Monsanto Research Center, 4500 Shaw Avenue. Speakers from Axi:Ome LLC and SWT Design, and from the Great Rivers Greenway District will present the Art Walk “stitched landscape” design to connect theaters and institutions in Grand Center; the native plant-rich site design for the CORTEX science and technology district; and the Midtown Loop portion of Chouteau’s Greenway. Presented by Missouri Botanical Garden, Academy of Science St. Louis, and the City of St. Louis Office of Sustainability. Space is limited and online registration is required. Find details at www.BiodiverseCitySTL.org. November 13th-14th 2-5pm Thurs., 10am-4pm Fri.—Celebrate St. Louis 250: A Standard Flower Show. Commemorating the 250th birthday of St. Louis. Hosted by the Garden Guild. Friendship Village, 15201 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO 63017. November 14th 7-11pm—Green Ball. Moonrise Hotel fifth annual Green Ball, to benefit the EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Enjoy live music, creative cocktails and locallysourced cuisine. Creative “green” attire is encouraged. Moonrise Hotel. Call (314) 5775118 to purchase tickets. November 15th 2pm—Concrete Leaf Make-N-Take. Perfect as a decoration for your home or for a great gift. $25 supply fee. Sign up as soon as possible this class fills up quickly! Call 636-239-6729 to sign up. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-2396729, www.hillermann.com.
House. See the largest display of poinsettias in the area. Guided tours of the greenhouses from 10am-3pm. Visit with Santa, and enjoy Christmas carolers, holiday cookies and crafters. Proceeds from sales benefit Millstadt Optimist Youth Club. Millstadt Gardens, 6667 Route 158, Millstadt, IL, 62290. (618) 476-9600. November 30th 9am-5pm—Christmas Open House. Super special discounts and a gift for stopping in. Santa will visit from noon-3pm. Bring your children and cameras for a great photo opportunity. Sappington Garden Shop, 11530 Gravois Rd., (314) 843-4700. December 6th Noon-4pm—Chanukah: Festival of Lights. A traditional Jewish holiday celebration that includes festive Israeli music and dance, and a menorah-lighting ceremony. Ridgway Visitor Center. Missouri Botanical Garden. December 6th and 7th 10am-4pm – Holiday Open House. Join Frisella’s for their annual Holiday Open House. Cafe Angelina will be providing complimentary baked goods and coffee. They have a large selection of Christmas trees (live and cut),
pine roping, wreaths, live trimmings and holiday gifts for the gardener. Frisella Nursery, frisellanursery.com, 636.798.2555. 10am-5pm—Holidays at Garden Heights. Open House, with cookies, cocoa and a visit from Santa. Garden Heights Nursery, 1605 Big Bend Blvd., Richmond Heights. (314) 6457333, GardenHeights.com. December 6th and 13th 1-3pm—Lunch With Santa. Lunch with Santa at Hillermann’s! Children are invited to have lunch, do some fun crafts and have pictures taken with Santa! YHTI Internet will take and print pictures for you to take home. Proceeds will benefit Loving Hearts Outreach. $10.00 per child. Please call to RSVP at 636-2396729. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-2396729, www.hillermann.com. December 29th Noon-4pm—Kwanzaa: Festival of the First Fruits. This contemporary African-American holiday centers around the feast table of the harvest. Storytelling, craft and jewelry displays, and authentic African drumming and musical performances. Missouri Botanical Garden, Ridgway Center, Monsanto Hall.
Start Your Family’s Holidays at the
Poinsettia Wonderland Open House Sunday, November 23rd from 9am-4pm Greenhouse Tours 10am-3pm
Holiday Open House. Lake St. Louis Garden Center, 3230 Technology Dr., Lake St. Louis, MO. (636) 561-0124. November 22nd and December 6th 10am-Noon—Wine Making, California Merlot. A multi-class series on steps in wine making. You can attend as many as you like. This class will cover filtering and back sweetening. A handout outlining each step in the process will be available. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com. November 22nd through January 4th 9am-5pm—Gardenland Express. Annual holiday flower and train show features G-scale model trains traveling through a miniature landscape of living plants, surrounded by more than 500 colorful poinsettias and other flowers. Closed Christmas Day. Orthwein Floral Display Hall, Missouri Botanical Garden. $5 in addition to admission. Free to Garden Members. Nov. 22nd-23rd, 26th-30th, Dec. 3rd-7th, 10th-14, 18th-Jan. 4th Garden Glow. Visitors will have the opportunity to stroll through the Garden at night surrounded by a spectacle of unique light installations. Hundreds of thousands of lights will adorn some of the Garden’s most iconic locations. Walkways will be transformed into an explosion of visual magic, while more traditional displays will delight crowds of all ages. Tickets are datespecific and sold in limited quantities. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.mobot.org/ glow. November 22nd through January 4th 9am-5pm—Holiday Wreath Auction. Featuring unique creations by some of the area’s finest floral designers. Missouri Botanical Garden. Monsanto Hall, upper level of the Ridgway visitor center. November 23rd 9am-4pm—Poinsettia
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
Wonderland
See the area’s LARGEST display of poinsettias! Stroll through acres of beautiful poinsettias in all different colors, plus...
Visit with Santa • Christmas Carolers Holiday Cookies & Beverages • Holiday Crafts
Millstadt Gardens
6667 Route 158 • Millstadt, IL 62260 (618) 476-9600
Hosted by Millstadt Gardens, N.G. Heimos Greenhouses and the Heimos Family. A portion of sale proceeds benefits Millstadt Optimist Youth Club.
Open
The Gateway Gardener®
15
There’s no better TIME to plan for your lush spring lawn and garden than NOW! Visit St. Louis Composting’s six area locations for the largest selection of STA-certified compost, mulch products and soil blends. VALLEY PARK, MO
39 Old Elam Avenue 636.861.3344
ST. LOUIS, MO
560 Terminal Road 314.868.1612
BELLEVILLE, IL
5841 Mine Haul Road 618.233.2007
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO 11294 Schaefer Road 314.423.9035
FORT BELLEFONTAINE COMPOST FACILITY 13060 County Park Road 314.355.0052
FORT BELLEFONTAINE
PACIFIC, MO 18900 Franklin Road 636.271.3352
www.stlcompost.com
ENRICHING THE SOILNATURALLY SINCE 1992