The Gateway Gardener May 2018 by The Gateway Gardener

Gateway Gardener

MAY 2018

THE

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

p sers o h S verti ect d erf ift! A r Ou r the PDay G fo er’s th o M

Purple Reigns

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Bringing nature Home: Saturday, may 5 If you’ve always wanted your yard to come alive with beautiful wildflowers and watchable wildlife, mark Saturday, May 5 on your calendar for Forrest Keeling’s Spring Celebration of Native Plants and Biodiversity! Join us in our Habitat Headquarters to hear presentations by Doug Tallamy, native gardening expert and author of Bringing Nature Home, and other native plant pros. Arrive early for the best selections of our special RPM-produced native perennials, grasses and woodies. Then stay all day to learn, mingle with the experts and stock up on the native plants you need to bring nature to YOUR home.

of plant sales will be donated to

missouri Prairie Foundation’s grow native Program

9:30 am Opening Remarks and An Introduction to Missouri Native Oaks Wayne Lovelace Forrest Keeling Nursery

10–11 am Creating Native Landscapes

Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware

11–11:30 am Tallamy Book Signing 11:30 am– Invasive Species Strategy 12:30 pm Jon Wingo, DJM Ecological Services and Pure Air Natives

1–1:40 pm Prairies, Pollinators, & the World You Keep Carol Davit, Executive Director Missouri Prairie Foundation and Grow Native

1:45– It’s all in our Roots! The RPM Advantage 2:30 pm Lupe Rios, Forrest Keeling Nursery Production Manager

2:30– Have Your Landscape and Eat It Too! 3:30 pm Matt Lebon, Custom Foodscaping Food available for purchase on site 10:30 am-3:30 pm with Twisted Tacos!

Hwy 79, Elsberry, MO 63343 800 -FKN-2401 MAY 2018

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Saturday Garden Center Hours 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Learn more at www.fknursery.com 3

Gateway Gardener THE

Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes

MAY 2018

Volume 14, Number 4

Founded in 2005 by Joyce Bruno & Robert Weaver Publisher and Editor Robert Weaver Columnists Diane Brueckman Rosey Acres Joyce Driemeyer Master Gardener Abby Lapides Sugar Creek Gardens Steffie Littlefield Edg-Clif Winery Jennifer Schamber Nursery Professional Crystal Stevens EathDance Organic Farm School Scott Woodbury Shaw Nature Reserve

Printing: Breese Publishing, Breese, IL The Gateway Gardener® is published 9 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 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.

From the Editor

hese two little garden gnomes were a gift to my son and his wife—and to Mary and me—last year, born just a few days before Mother’s Day 2018. What a blessing filled year it has been, having had the opportunity to watch them—well, mostly Mary watching them— three days a week during the school year. More than one caller to the Gateway Gardener office has heard my voice with Fisher Price accompaniment. We know how quickly the months and years will pass, as they did when we enjoyed a similar experience with our first grandson, now a growing, confident kindergarten student. I’m looking forward to spring and summer, when we can take the carnival outdoors.

Spring was struggling to arrive when we carted the boys down to Missouri Botanical Garden in desperate search of something in bloom for this mid-April photo shoot. Other than daffodils—it was a great, protracted season for narcissus this year—the only backdrop we could find was a frostbitten star magnolia. Turns out we just missed the show, for a couple of warm days later, the Japanese Garden was bursting with cherry blossoms.

updated their looks with newer cultivars. Some even in purple! Our native plant specialist, Scott Woodbury, takes a look at a traditional part of many home landscapes, the turfgrass lawn, and surprisingly doesn’t tell us to get rid of it! He acknowledges a place for turf in many yards, but simply asks if we need so much! On page 12, he takes us in search of turf’s “sweet spot.”

Now, though (I hope, writing in advance), the warm-up has begun in earnest, and the flurry of gardening activity that May brings with it begins. We have plenty of ideas to help you get caught up with the late spring start. For starters, think purple! The arbiter of all things color, Pantone, says “Ultra Violet” is the Color of the Year for 2018, and as Abby Lapides shows us on page 6, there are plenty of choices in the purple plant palette to make sure your garden is in vogue this year. Of course, not every gardener feels it necessary to follow the latest fashions. Steffie Littlefield reminds us on page 14 of some tried and true flowering bulbs our mothers and grandmothers were likely familiar with, though in many cases, plant breeders have

On the Cover... With ‘Ultra Violet’ being the Pantone Color of the Year, violet is in vogue in the gardening world as well. One example is Hydrangea Invincebelle ‘Mini Mauvette’ on our cover. For more examples, see page 6 (photo courtesy Proven Winners). IN THIS ISSUE 6 Purple Reigns

8 12 14 16 18 20 21 22 24 26 28 30

Examples of such balance will undoubtedly be found on this year’s Native Plant Garden Tour. You can read about it and many other of this summer’s calendar of garden tours on page 24. And while we didn’t have room to feature them all, we will certainly include those left out in our Upcoming Events calendars in this issue and in June. I’m looking forward to this summer’s tours, this summer’s warmth, and this summer’s beauty. It’s been a long time coming. I hope you enjoy Mother’s Day and the joys of summer that follow. It’s going to be a fun one here… doubly!

Good Gardening!

Livin’ La Vida Pollo Turfgrass’ Sweet Spot The Forgotten Flowering Bulbs May Veggie Gardening Keeping Our Roses Healthy Urban Gardening Symposium Green Living Festival Wild Ones for 20 Years 2018 Garden Tours Frisellas Turns 65 Dig This Upcoming Events

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MAY 2018

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Purple Reigns by Abby Lapides

ith Ultra Violet named as Pantone’s 2018 color of the year, purple is the color everyone’s talking about. To keep your St. Louis garden in fashion, consider some of these suggestions to purplefy your garden. A new showy shrub on the red side of the purple family is ‘Mini Mauvette’ hydrangea. This smooth Hydrangea reliably blooms deep mauve flowers all summer. Only reaching about 3’ tall and wide, ‘Mini Mauvette’ mixes well into the shady garden or can be used as a small hedge or accent. Smooth hydrangeas tend to be more easy-going about light requirements and water than their big-leafed cousins; they

turning a deep red-purple in fall. This mid-sized, strictly upright grass doesn’t flop, is extremely drought tolerant, and thrives in our unpredictable Missouri weather. Three of my favorite easy-care perennials just happen to be purple flowering. Sage, catmint and Russian sage are members of the mint family that feature extreme hardiness and showy masses of flowers. All three are virtually deer and rabbit

‘Mini Mauvette’ hydrangea also reliably bloom every year.

cover ‘Purple Dome’ aster in To keep the purple party going early autumn. A dwarf version until the very end, consider of the native New England aster, growing some of these cultivars of Missouri natives. Bright lavender flowers with sunny yellow centers completely

‘Walker’s Low’ catmint

‘Purple Dome’ aster

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‘Purple Dome’ only reaches 1-2’ tall, verses the 3-6’ height of the native. Plant ‘Purple Dome’ in areas with full to part sun and where you want to enjoy butterflies. ‘Smoke Signal’ little bluestem takes the showy color of the Missouri native and turns it up a notch. The blue-green foliage begins taking on scarlet colors during summer before

proof, drought tolerant once established, and can handle pollution very well, leading them to thrive in spots where TLC is limited. Catmints have soft lavender-blue flowers that bloom early summer for long periods of time. A longtime favorite, ‘Walker’s Low’ puts on a showy display that complements shrub roses. Sages usually begin blooming in May and will continue into fall if the spent flowers are cut back. They come in many colors from rose-

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.

The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

green and yellow leafed plants and just about any brightly colored flower. The tiny purple flowers look like smoke when in bloom, giving this unique and showy shrub its name. The purple leaves may also be used to make dyes for the craftyminded person.

‘Night Sky’ Galaxy petunia

‘Blue Hill’ sage pinks to intense dark purples. My favorite ‘Blue Hill’ features bright blue-purple flowers and a nice compact form. Russian sages grow upright and can get quite tall. They usually bloom in late summer, when not much else is blooming, with soft periwinkle flowers that look like a purple cloud. Consider growing ‘Crazy Blue’, ‘Cherokee Purple’ tomato a compact selection with very Russian’ kale and ‘Purple Sails’ showy long blooming flowers. lettuce which give us delicious, We can also eat our purples. nutritious and showy leaves for ‘Cherokee Purple’ tomatoes sautéing, salads, and garden create oddly shaped fruits with accents. deep purple flesh and reddishpurple meat that, in my opinion, Want to add some purple are one of the tastiest tomatoes to your containers or carpet you can grow. There’s also ‘Red the landscape with purple?

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Look to Galaxy petunias. The inky purple ‘Night Sky’ and amethyst-colored ‘Gemini’ vigorously spill over containers or create a showy groundcover. Both produce sweetly scented flowers with many white speckles that resemble a starry night. With proper fertilizer and ‘Forever Purple’ heuchera water, Galaxy petunias will put I like adding plants with white on a fabulous show all season and yellow flowers and foliage long. to give contrast to these purple You don’t need big blooms to beauties. The color of royalty, create a striking purple effect. I think we all deserve a little ‘Forever Purple’ coral bells purple in our lives. adds unreal purple color to the shady garden. I think they took a leaf off of ‘Forever Purple’ Photo credits: ‘Mini Mauvette‘ when Pantone chose Ultra hydrangea courtesy Proven Violet for their color of the year. Winners, ‘Blue Hill’ sage and To add a large dramatic purple ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint courtesy punch to the garden look to Walter’s Gardens, Inc.; All ‘Royal Purple’ smoke bush. The others courtesy Ann Lapides. burgundy-purple leaves add an intense color backdrop to

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MAY 2018

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Livin’ La Vida Pollo by Jennifer Schamber

Visit KirkwoodGardens.com

s the revolution of backyard farming continues, more and more gardeners are incorporating chickens into their outdoor lifestyles. Of course, no store-bought egg beats the taste, color and texture of backyard chicken eggs. The yolks are not only bright, rich and creamy, but studies show that freerange eggs from chickens that forage in an organic yard are more healthful than conventionally produced eggs. It’s also one of the most engaging garden experiences for children because they can witness firsthand where food comes from and observe the entire

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The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

• Take time to determine how many chickens are appropriate for your outdoor space. The more chickens, the more poop. One chicken per person in the family is usually more than sufficient, although this can vary quite a bit, of course.

cycle of composting in their own backyard. For many gardeners, raising chickens helps close the gap in food production during the off season. Even though chickens may not produce eggs throughout the entire winter, they still keep a family engaged with their outdoor spaces throughout the entire year. Chickens can play a key role in reducing household food waste as most food scraps can be given to them year-round. The output from chickens (i.e. chicken poop) can be composted and later used as a valuable fertilizer Easy Chicken’s deluxe coop in the garden. Once a good system is set up in the yard, chickens can be relatively low maintenance. Little tricks, like having a solar-powered coop hatch that opens automatically every morning and closes every night, can make it simple for even a very busy family. There are many benefits to raising poultry, but there are also many things to consider before bringing home those cute baby chicks. As with adding any livestock to a yard, one must determine whether the benefits outweigh the costs. Here are some very important things to consider before making the investment: • Are your current pets compatible with chickens? If you are unable to keep them separate, some dogs or cats may naturally try to catch or attack the chickens. Some pets can be trained to be chicken-friendly, others may not. Also, be aware of other possible predators in your neighborhood and consider ways to keep the chickens protected from those.

• Do you travel frequently? If so, do you have a friend or neighbor who is willing to collect the eggs on a daily basis? As long as they have sufficient food and water, they can go several days on their own, but sometimes chickens may decide to peck/eat their eggs if left for cont’d. on next page Jennifer Schamber is the General Manager of Greenscape Gardens, and plays leaderships roles in the Western Nursery & Landscape Association, GrowNative!, the Landscape & Nursery Association of Greater St. Louis and the Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis. She has earned Green Profit Magazine’s Young Retailer Award, and Greenscape Gardens was named the National Winner of the 2015 “Revolutionary 100” Garden Centers by Today’s Garden Center Magazine.

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• Do your research on chicken breeds. There is a wide range of breeds with different characteristics. Some are quite docile and enjoy engagement with people, others are skittish. Some are better egg producers than others, while some might be known for their winter hardiness.

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MAY 2018

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cont’d. from previous page too long. This isn’t always the case, but it can happen. • Do you have a vegetable or fruit garden where the chickens will be free ranging? If so, you’ll want to put chicken wire fencing around those areas, at least until the plants are more mature.

they no longer contribute, it may be time to find an outlet for them. This can be difficult, especially when she has a name, like Henrietta, Nugget or Pearl. • When adding new chickens to your current flock, have a plan for their introduction to the coop. The original chickens will quickly establish a new pecking order and this can be difficult to balance. Give the newbies a way to escape if they need to.

• Does your city or H.O.A. allow its residents to raise poultry? Some may have a Living with chickens can be very limit, others may allow hens The standard Easy Chicken rental coop. rewarding when you are prepared. but no roosters, while some There are some great resources in may require a permit. Check out those ordinances and know the town that can help you learn more, like the GROW exhibit at the St. rules beforehand. Louis Science Center, and farm supply stores like O.K. Hatchery • Most people in urban/suburban areas probably don’t want in Kirkwood. If you are considering raising chickens, but aren’t or need roosters. Be sure to get chicks that have been sexed to ready to commit 100%, check out a local company called The Easy help reduce the likelihood of buying males. On a farm, a rooster Chicken (TheEasyChicken.com), which does seasonal chicken can help protect the hens from predators, but in a backyard, a rentals. They can set you up with everything you need on a trial rooster can sometimes become aggressive (not too mention the basis (they also sell the entire package and components). But most fact that he could wake up the neighborhood with his loud crow; likely, once you’ve gotten a taste of life with chickens (and tasted some folks like that sound, others may complain). the eggs!), you’ll be ready to make them a part of your family. • Be ready to have a plan to keep their water from freezing in Photos courtesy The Easy Chicken. the winter, usually a heated bowl or waterer will work just fine. • Have a plan for hens that are no longer laying eggs. Once

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MAY 2018

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Naturally Natives Finding the Sweet Spot for Turf Grass

Scott Woodbury

by Scott Woodbury

The demonstration garden at Brightside St. Louis’ headquarters. DON’T starters, as a country we mow a lot of grass. Doug Tallamy, urf MISS: grass has a place in the native garden when youDON’T get it For MISS:

T Sustainable

authorSt. of Louis Bringing Nature Home, states that we mow over 40 just right. Too much lawn and you may spend too much The 8th Annual St. Louis Thetime 8th Annual behind a mower. Too little and you may end up with more million acres of turf in the U.S., an area greater than that of all the garden than you can care for. If it’s too weedy the neighbors may national parks combined. Nationwide the landscape is dominated complain, and if too perfect (weed-free) you may risk harming by turf grass probably because land managers and owners have done it this way for so long. Our wildlife. So where is the sweet spot for turf grass? tendency to grow low-clipped grass dates back hundreds of 0, 2018 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2018 - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. years to Europe where it began nvolved with this self-guided, Be Inspired! Get involved with this self-guided, with the original lawn mowers; en and organic outdoor FREE tour of green and organic outdoor grazing sheep. These original The 8th Annual St. Louis ut St. Louis city and county. spaces throughout St. Louis city and county. intentional lawns kept views ave integrated sustainable See how others have integrated sustainable open across the landscape to Meet us at: nto their yards and learn what living practices into their yards and learn what create emphasis on the house. w to go green. you need to know to go green. They still do this to a large extent Kirkwood Market though the average house today 150 E Argonne e for a list of addresses you Visit the website for a list of addresses you Saturday, May 5 has a much smaller lawn. Lawns 10 and learn how to create can visit on June 10 and learn how to create 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. also became useful places for nvironments that feed both healthy, whole environments that feed both orders can be Only Pre-paid Sunday, June 10, 2018 - 11soul a.m. to 4 p.m. sport. and body. picked up Friday at Kirkwood, In the United States, schools, 4 - 6 p.m. Be Inspired! Get involved with www.sustainablebackyard.org this self-guided, inablebackyard.org parks, churches, corporations, FREE tour of green and organic outdoor Carbondale IL. Town golf courses and homes have

Sustainable Backyard Tour!

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spaces St. Louis city and• county. Missouri natives • throughout Low Mow ChiCkens Bees • Missouri natives • Low Mow May 5, 10a.m. - 2 p.m. MPosting • reCyCLed MateriaLs soLar Power • CoMPosting • reCyCLed MateriaLs See how others have integrated sustainable Sierra Clubgardens Native Plant Sale erisCaPing • PoLLinator gardens ediBLe PerenniaLs • XerisCaPing • PoLLinator into their yards learn what • green Living outdoors! n • green living Living practices outdoors! waterand Conservation

Shaw Nature Reserve

you need to know to go green.

Visit the website for a list of addresses you can visit on June 10 and learn how to create healthy, whole environments that feed both soul and body.

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Shaw Wildflower Market May 12, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Pick up orders at the sales

Order in advance (by Tues.), or choose from our selection at the sale locations.

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www.sustainablebackyard.orgThe 8th Annual St. Louis Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

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Sustainable Backyard Tour!

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The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants

Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for more than 20 years. He is also an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s GrowNative! program.

square feet). Expand the garden after you get your feet wet. Include walking paths around (if small) or through (if big) the garden so you can easily see and care for it. Place a bench nearby in shade so you can experience it. After all, native gardens should be experienced, not just seen. Build a compost bin because you will be generating leaf and stem debris. Take a Native Plant School class at Shaw Nature Reserve to learn what to plant. Get involved with a local gardening or nature organization so you can begin learning about the world around you from others just like you. Soon you will be sharing ideas across the fence and around the neighborhood. You may even enjoy getting involved in your community as a volunteer. There are plenty of unused and unloved lawns in your neighborhood just waiting for you to convert. Chan Mahanta

more turf than any other type of plant, much of which has little function other than looks. Too much of a good thing? Perhaps. Let me state for the record, I’m a big fan of mowed grass because my family uses it constantly for ballplaying and frisbee. But could some of it be converted to different kinds of plants? We don’t use the whole mowed area, so the answer is definitely yes. We could convert about twenty percent and still have plenty of space to run around. One lowmaintenance option is The home landscape of Chan Mahanta. native small-flowering trees. Focus on difficult to mow areas first. Poorly-drained sunny sites are suited to buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata), red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) and green hawthorn (Crataegus viridis). Buttonbush and winterberry holly are shrubs when young but grow into small trees over time, especially when pruned. For drier areas plant redbud (Cercis canadensis), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) or fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus). Use of these types of trees reduces some mowing and increase wildlife habitat because many birds nest in low trees like these. Another low-maintenance option is native groundcovers. These are plants that grow low and fill in densely to reduce weed growth. In shady wet areas plant golden groundsel (Packera aurea), a native evergreen alternative to the highly invasive and over-used wintercreeper, vinca and English ivy. In sunny dry areas prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) makes a solid groundcover (plant them 16-18 inches apart). For those who have more ability and time to garden I recommend replacing 15-20% of your lawn with a diversity of perennials, grasses and shrubs plus small-flowering trees and groundcovers. But keep in mind that the more area you convert and the greater the diversity of plants, the more time it will take to plant and care for. If you are unsure what you are capable of, start small (100-200

St. Louis Native Plant Garden Tour Saturday, June 16th, 2018

9 am to 4 pm

10 Locations in Franz Park, Richmond Heights, Shaw and Tower Grove

Self-guided tour of residential gardens

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MAY 2018

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The Forgotten Flowering Bulbs by Steffie Littlefield

fter what seemed like the never-ending winter, spring arrived late and was rushed by the warm sun into summer in a matter of days. As we longed for those hikes to see the daffodils at Shaw Nature Reserve, I took the opportunity to attend a Members Speaker Series Talk at the Missouri Botanical Garden by Jason Delaney on “Flowering Bulbs.” This is a topic I have always loved and developed as a passion during my days as the flowering bulb buyer at Garden Heights Nursery. Inspired by Jason, I thought it was time to revisit some really lovely hardy, but underutilized, bulbs for St. Louis, and maybe explore some new types as well. Since I was a child playing in my Grandmother’s garden, I have loved the pink ‘surprise lilies’ that bloom mid-summer. They are sometimes called naked ladies because their foliage has disappeared before the flower stalks shoot up from the ground. Masses of these bulbs in my garden make it a fairyland of pink in midsummer. My Grandmother correctly called them Lycoris, which is a robust 24” tall, long-lived and durable deer-resistant bulb, suitable for a wide range of garden soils and sites. A few newer crosses are now available like Lycoris ‘Blue Pearl’. The 22” tall, dark purple stalks are topped with Lycoris burgundy pink buds that open into 6-7 light ‘Blue Pearl’ blue flowers with a faint blush of pink, mostly on the petal backs. After the midsummer flowers, the foliage remains dormant until spring, when the straplike green leaves reappear. (Available from Plant Delights Nursery at PlantDelights.com.) Another hardy bulb that is a U.S. native, documented in use since 1800, is Camassia. This charming flowering bulb is best grown in moist, fertile soil in full sun to partial sunlight. Unlike most bulbs, Camassia prefers soil that has a bit more moisture. Deerand rodent-resistant, in late spring, Camassia forms upright racemes studded with dozens of six-petaled, 2”, starshaped flowers, opening sequentially from the bottom to the top. Camassia Depending on the variety, the flowers are white, ‘Blue Danube’ 14

ivory, blue or purple. I hear a yellow one is about to be introduced. As it matures over time, when it’s happy where it’s planted, it naturalizes by bulb offsets and as if that weren’t enough, it’s also a good cut flower. The great historic gardens of New England are filled with drifts of Hyacinthoides Hyacinthoides and Scilla because they are deer- and ‘Excelsior’ rodent-resistant, prefer a bit of light shade and naturalize readily in both woodland settings and display gardens, becoming increasingly more substantial and prolific over time. Economical for large woodland plantings or garden border swaths, you’ll be amazed over the transformative impact that these little bulbs have over time. Flowers can be blue, purple, pink or white.

Scilla spp. Another prize heirloom is Leucojum aestivum, or summer snowflakes, circa 1594. This naturalizer has umbels of pendant, bell-shaped, milky-white flowers with faint green tips and grasslike, strappy foliage. Moisture tolerant, it performs well near water, but make sure to plant the bulbs above the high water mark! This 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.Edg-Clif.com. The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

valuable naturalizer thrives in areas of dappled sunlight. Rodent- lilies are planted in neutral pH soil that is quite well-draining and deer-proof. Blooms May/June and is fairly tall, up to 20”. since they hate “wet feet”. They should also be fed with a 4-10-6 Plant 6” deep and 6” apart. fertilizer three times each year to promote perennialization over Another old-fashioned gem time. Most importantly they must also be allowed to flower and die that has gained in popularity back naturally. recently are the flowering Photo credits: Hyacinth and Lycoris courtesy Plant Delights onions, Alliums. These Nursery; Allium courtesy Walters Gardens, Inc.; Snowdrops and bulbs are available in diverse Scilla courtesy Robert Weaver.

Summer Snowflake heights and sizes, rabbit-, rodentand deer-resistant, and almost never affected by disease. Adored by bees, butterflies and pollinators, alliums extend the spring flowering season with bold, dramatic color and statuesque garden architecture. They are also valuable cut and dried flowers. Most alliums require full sunlight although there are several varieties that can also thrive in

Allium ‘Millennium’ partial sunlight: Alliums prefer rich, well-draining and neutral pH soil and benefit from a summer dry period. American gardeners may now choose from a wide range of lilies that have been bred to perfection in terms of hardiness, large and abundant flowers and diversity of markings and colors. Heights range from 12” to 6’, prized for their extravagant, early-to-late summer blooms, lilies help build the foundation of the perennial garden. I strongly recommend that you establish naturalized drifts of mixed lilies! Make sure that these MAY 2018

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The Cornucopia Corner May Gardening Text and Photos by Crystal Stevens

ay is a great time to transplant crops that provide continuous bounty such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, eggplant, sweet potato slips, green beans, pole beans, strawberry slips, and flowers. Heat tolerant greens such as kale, chard, collards, Malabar spinach, purslane, and spicy mustard greens can still be planted from seed or transplanted into the garden.

Summer squash, cucumbers, winter squash, and melons can all be planted in May either from seed or transplanted into the ground. Herbs such as basil, dill, parsley, rosemary, lavender, sage, and thyme can also be transplanted into the ground in May. Medicinal herbs including lavender, chamomile, St. John’s wort, calendula, borage, tulsi, and comfrey can be transplanted in the garden.

Root vegetables including carrots, beets, turnips, and radishes can be planted in May.

Jt’s Fresh Ideas

Cheesy GarliC Parmesan sPinaCh sPaGhetti squash Ingredients

1 medium spaghetti squash 2 ½ Tbsp minced garlic 1 tsp olive or avocado oil 5 oz. fresh spinach, chopped ½ cup cream 1 Tbsp cream cheese ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping salt and pepper, to taste grated or sliced mozzarella for topping

Slice your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rub the cut side of the squash with a teeny bit of olive oil and place on your baking dish/sheet and roast face-down for about 40 minutes, or until tender and easily pierced with a fork.

to separate and fluff the strands of spaghetti squash. Pour your sauce over each squash boat, stir to mix, and top with a little mozzarella cheese and additional parm cheese, if desired. Bake at 350˚ for about 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

The squash can be roasted and stored in the fridge for a few days if you’d like to meal prep and plan ahead for a speedier dinner.

For a golden cheesy topping, flip your oven to broil on high for just a minute or two until lightly browned. Dive in while it’s HOT!

While the squash roasts in the oven start on the sauce. In a medium pot or skillet, bring a drizzle of olive oil to medium-high heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.

Note: Feel free to add chicken for an added twist!

Next add the spinach and stir until wilted. Add your cream, cream cheese and parmesan cheese and stir well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and remove from heat. Once squash is done roasting, allow to cool until easily handled or pop on an oven mit and use a fork

As the weather gets warmer, plants need to be watered regularly. Warmer weather also speeds up weed growth. Be sure to weed garden beds twice per week. One way to get a jumpstart on weeds and watering is to sheet mulch.

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 400˚.

Late May marks the milestone in the garden to start fall crops from seed in seed trays filled with soil under shade trees. The following seeds can be planted for an early fall harvest: broccoli, cabbage, kale, collards, chard, leeks, scallions, winter squash, tomatoes, and pole beans.

Recipe and photo courtesy of: www.peasandcrayons.com

Please share some of your favorite recipes with us. You can e-mail us at: info@gatewaygardener.com

Gotta love the spaghetti squash recipes!

Enjoy...

Sheet mulching involves adding many layers to the soil. Sheet mulching typically starts with a layer of cardboard and newspaper to suppress weeds followed by layers of leaf litter, straw, grass clippings, and compost. The primary functions of sheet mulching involve suppressing weeds, preventing weed growth, and building soil. Sheet mulching increases soil moisture retention, adds nutrients back to the soil, increases soil organic matter, and increases diversity in Crystal Stevens is the author of Grow Create Inspire and Worms at Work. She is the Garden Manager and her husband Eric is the Farm Manager at EarthDance Organic Farm School, a 14 acre certified organic farm in Ferguson, MO. Visit www.earthdancefarms.org for more information.Follow EarthDance on social media at EarthDance Organic Farm School on Facebook and @earthdancefarms on Instagram. Follow Crystal at @growcreateinspire. The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

Tips for Growing, Buying and Cooking Fresh, Locally Sourced Food for Your Table

May Harvest Here are some fruits and veggies you might find in the garden or your local farmers’ market this month:

the soil. Sheet mulching is typically done in the fall so that the beds can be planted in the spring. Heavy mulching involves using 4-12 inches of straw, leaves, wood chips, or other organic material on hand. Heavy mulching is ideal for perennials planted in permanent beds and is done to suppress weeds, minimize soil compaction, cover the soil as a protective layer, and increase mycorrhizal activity. Heavy mulching with straw is applied to crops such as strawberries and garlic to prevent weeds. Mulched pathways can be created using cardboard, burlap, or wood chips. Mulch breaks down after a season, creating a humus layer and becomes a foundation for a future garden bed. Living pathways can be created by planting resilient cover crops such as hairy vetch, red clover, white clover, or miner’s lettuce. Happy Gardening!

Asparagus Beets Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Cherries Cucumbers Gooseberries Greens Herbs Kohlrabi

Leeks Lettuce Onions Peas Potatoes Radishes Rhubarb Spinach Squash Tomatoes Turnips

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Keeping Our Roses Healthy by Diane Brueckman

Most insect damage starts Aphids on a rose bud. as a few bad leaves or a damaged bloom or two. One of the first culprits to arrive on the tender new growth is aphids. Most gardeners

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have had experience with aphids on any number of garden plants. They overwinter as eggs on rose canes and emerge in early spring. A simple solution is to spray your rose canes with horticultural oil before you cover them in the fall or immediately after uncovering. Aphids have many natural predators including lady beetles and green lacewings. It is to your advantage not to use an insecticide on aphids if the outbreak is not huge. The predators will come and you don’t want to kill them. If a bud is refusing to open and has brown edges, you might have thrips. These are nasty little bugs that feed by sucking the juice out of rose petals. They seem to prefer light colored roses, white are a particular favorite. Most of the damage from thrips is late spring to midsummer. To find them pull the petals of the bud apart, the tiny thrips will be moving about on the petals. You could spray with any number of nasty insecticides labeled for thrips but you must get to them before they penetrate into the flower bud. All buds and blooms must be removed and disposed of. I like to seal them in a plastic bag. Thrips have a two-week life cycle and have several Rose midge damage. generations a year. A third tiny insect that is often overlooked is the rose midge. This pest overwinters as a pupa in the soil. The adults do not feed on the roses but lay 20 to 30 eggs on new terminal growth and will kill the buds they feed on. The damage to look for is twisted, deformed and often blackened terminal shoots and flower buds. If not addressed, the rose midge could kill the entire plant. Again, pruning and destroying all infested plant parts is the best control. Insecticides can be used but timing is critical for spraying to be effective. The life cycle of rose Diane Brueckman is a retired rosarian with Missouri Botanical Garden, and currently owns Rosey Acres in Baldwin, Illinois. You can reach her at (618) 785-3011 or droseyacres@ egyptian.net.

The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

Bruce Watt, University of Maine, Bugwood.org

W. Cranshaw, CSU, Bugwood.org

y now all the really hard work of opening up your rose garden is done. The roses are enjoying the good weather before the summer heat. Spring is always a fresh start in our gardens. So how do we keep our roses and the gardener happy? One of the best and easiest “chores” is to scout the garden as we smell the roses. Many problems can be resolved by nipping them in the bud, so to speak. If you see something suspicious, check it out as soon as possible.

midge is 12 to 22 days with a total of two to four generations a season. The aforementioned pests are not the only culprits out to get your roses but by carefully monitoring your garden you can keep on top of the problems. The secret is to find the trouble spots before they become severe. Spraying insecticides is a last resort in my garden. My first spray choice is neem oil, it kills and repels insects as well as giving protection against powdery mildew and blackspot. Many times a small infestation can be handled with a spot spray on the trouble spot. Good housekeeping in the rose garden is essential to keeping roses healthy. Picking up any diseased leaves goes a long way to having a healthy rose garden. Remove any canes damaged by disease or insects. If you use chemical fertilizers be sure you use one where the N number is lower than the P number and K number. Chemical fertilizers list N – P – K (N Nitrogen, P Phosphorus, K Potassium). High nitrogen causes excessive lush green growth that attracts bugs and makes an ideal medium for fungus. Keep your roses well fed preferably with organic fertilizers. They tend to be more balanced and contain the micro-nutrients so essential for plant health and vigor. Finally, keep your roses well hydrated by watering deeply once a week. A good covering of mulch on the bed will hold moisture even in very hot weather.

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Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium Saturday, June 2nd 9am-Noon Demonstration Garden at Brightside St. Louis 4646 Shenandoah Ave. St. Louis

Workshops include learning about what makes good soil, how to compost, how to design a garden for small spaces with native plants, an introduction to native trees and shrubs, and basics on plant healthcare, proper planting, and an introduction to pruning woody plants. Scott Woodbury, horticulturist and curator of the Shaw Nature Reserve’s Whitmire Wildflower Garden, welcomes of Brightside’s Demonstration Garden, so participants can see participants with a presentation on Practical Gardening with examples in practice of the topic at hand. Finally, a presentation on Native Plants. Many of the programs will include a walking tour the City’s “Neighbors Naturescaping” program will describe how City residents can create urban landscapes that provide healthy habitats for butterflies, birds, bees and the human residents that enjoy them!

Here comes the sun.

Cost is $15/person, waived for St. Louis city residents who are interested in participating in the Neighbors Naturescaping program. Register online and get more details at www.brightsidestl.org, or call 314-400-2115. Space is limited, so sign up early. The first 100 people to register will receive a free gift courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden. After the program, participants are encouraged to migrate over to the Missouri Botanical Garden, where the Green Living Festival will be taking place. (See opposite page)

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Brightside St. Louis

hether you’re new to gardening or have been around the compost pile a few times, there’s plenty to learn at the 2018 St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium. Hosted by Brightside St. Louis with partners University of Missouri Extension, Missouri Conservation Department and the City of St. Louis, this year’s Gardening Symposium offers a variety of workshops and presentations led by experts in their respective fields to help gardeners learn how to plan, plant and care for a neighborhood or home garden.

take your photo at the Festival! Visitors can also enjoy a free, alllevels yoga class for adults and kids hosted by STL non-profit Yoga Buzz. Bring your own yoga mat or towel. Earthbound Brewing will be with us! Come check them out! Recycling and composting will reduce the festival’s “waste-line.” Bring your reusable bottle and get free water refills. The Green Living Festival is included with Missouri Botanical Garden admission of $12 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. St. Louis City and County residents enjoy free admission on Saturday before noon and are $6 thereafter, with proof of residency. It will be held primarily at the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening, Cohen Amphitheater, and its surrounding gardens and grounds. Visitors are encouraged to cycle to the Garden, using Bike St. Louis routes along Shaw and Tower Grove, which connect to routes through Tower Grove Park, along Grand, and on Macklind Avenue and take advantage of convenient free bicycle parking.

Missouri Botanical Garden

June 2nd 9am to 4pm Missouri Botanical Garden 4344 Shaw Blvd South St. Louis

eople of all ages can learn more about what it means to live Green during the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Green Living Festival. Join experts for a day-long festival of learning, playing and engaging in ideas for sustainable lifestyles. Hosted by EarthWays Center and sponsored by Ameren Missouri, The 17th annual Green Living Festival, formerly called the Green Homes Festival, lets visitors explore the links between sustainability and a healthy environment. You can live more sustainably by focusing on your choices no matter where you reside or what you own (or don’t own)! Experts will offer tips to make your lifestyle, workplace, community and residence greener. A roster of fast-paced “Presentations to the People” from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. will cover useful topics from local experts such as solar electricity and solar technology, energy efficiency and natural gas, NatureScaping resources, bee keeping, composting, and how to volunteer and invest in sustainable ways. The festival will also showcase more in-depth interactive demonstrations featuring speakers with a DIY focus providing eco-friendly tips and tricks for your everyday life. The event is family friendly! Kids can have fun building a sunpowered miniature roadster, sample treats cooked in solar ovens, snap photos with costumed characters, and join in the fun recycled art activities like decorating a tile. If you complete a scavenger hunt you get an EarthWays patch to take home! There will be an exclusive event Snapchat filter that day, come MAY 2018

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Educating Native Plant Gardeners for 20 Years by Sue Leahy

and nectar plants for native pollinators, food and shelter for birds, and absorb excess rainfall to prevent runoff into rivers and streams, thus helping to provide clean water.

he year 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of Wild OnesSt. Louis. The chapter has grown from seven members in 1998 to more than 150 members today and is still growing. It is one of the largest and most active of 54 Wild Ones chapters across the United States. The growth of Wild Ones, both locally and nationally, reflects an increasing awareness by the public of the importance of native plant gardening. Wild Ones practices to encouraging business and

Wild Ones-St. Louis works to educate and inspire a community of native plant gardeners. The chapter holds most of its monthly gatherings at members’ homes, public or private spaces where everyone can view native plant gardens, ask questions, exchange ideas and get inspired about creating their own wildlife habitat. Members frequently share native plants from their gardens. Most monthly gatherings are open to the public.

promotes environmentally sound landscaping preserve biodiversity. This translates into landscaping with native plants in residential, public landscapes. These gardens provide host

For one monthly meeting, the group visited the native gardens at St. Louis County’s Museum of Transportation recently, which some members helped install.

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Increasingly Wild Ones-St. Louis is joining forces with other organizations in the region that share similar missions. The chapter is an integral partner in major annual events like the Partners for Native Landscaping Workshop and the Native Plant Garden Tour. Wild Ones-St. Louis sells plants at the large yearly plant sale at Shaw Nature Reserve on the Friday and Saturday before Mother’s Day. This is the major fundraiser for the year and is how the chapter earns the funds to offer grants to schools and non-profit organizations to install native plant gardens. To date, over 40,000 native plants have been sold and 37 gardens, all with educational components, have been installed. Visit the Wild Ones-St. Louis Chapter website at www. stlwildones.org for a calendar of events, informational blogs, a link to become a member and more. Participate in Wild Ones mission to “Heal the Earth one yard at a time.” The St. Louis Chapter welcomes you! Sue Leahy is the Publicity/Marketing Coordinator for Wild Ones-St. Louis Chapter. The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

find out how trees protect our water - www.TREESWORK.org MAY 2018

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Garden Tours to Enjoy, Inspire and Educate This is the season when gardens shine in our region, and you’ll find many garden tours scheduled for May and June, and again in the fall. Many feature the beautiful flower gardens of garden club groups and communities; others are uniquely themed and feature gardens for other reasons than ornamental flower beds.Enjoy them all! 24th Annual Hermann Garden Tour June 2nd-3rd 10am-5pm

The Hermann Garden Club features both a walking tour of lovely small gardens hidden behind houses in the Historic District and downtown area and a driving tour to several magnificent country gardens in the hills around Hermann. Many new gardens will be featured on this year’s tour. Town Tour gardens often are either lovely cottage gardens or river-view gardens. Country Tour estate gardens tend to be much larger than Town Tour gardens and have different elements and features. The ever-popular Demonstration area will return in 2018 at the Deutschheim State Historic Site, featuring information about crop rotation, companion planting, and heirloom plants. There are often other special activities; this is a not-to-be-missed garden. On Saturday a Silent Auction and Luncheon will be held at 11:30 AM at the Historic Hermann Rotunda. This is open to all who make reservations by May 25, 2018. Guests will feast on a delicious lunch while they bid on auction items. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (573) 294-6242 or emailing Bartow Molloy at bartowmolloy@centurytel.net. Funds raised at these events are used for civic beautification and scholarships. Tickets are $10 and are valid for both days. Discounts will be available for groups of 10 or more if reserved ahead of time; Group Tours are also available. For more information, visit the Hermann Garden Tours website: www.hermanngardentours.com or contact the Garden Club directly at info@HermannGardenTours.com.

8th Annual Sustainable Backyard Tour June 10th 11am-4pm

The Sustainable Backyard Tour is not only a garden tour, it’s a chance to see, smell, touch, and discover all the many ways you can live more lightly on this amazing, and fragile, planet. From understanding the watershed and how your watering practices impact our ecosystem, to debating the merits of various concrete and asphalt 24

alternatives in the patio, the Sustainable Backyard Tour is your chance to ask questions and learn what you need to know to go green! Showcasing eco-friendly and organic best-practices, the tour returns for the 8th year in private yards and gardens throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Tour sites demonstrate a range of sustainable living approaches, including low-impact lawn care, using recycled materials, beekeeping, chicken keeping, growing mushrooms and edible perennials and renewable energy. Yard descriptions and maps will be available online and at select local businesses beginning June 1st. The event is free, but those who register to attend will be entered into a drawing for prizes. For more information, visit www.SustainableBackyard.org and find us on Facebook!

St. Louis Native Plant Garden Tour June 16th 9am-4pm This self-guided tour of 10 residential gardens is centered on our urban spaces this year. Tour stops include Richmond Heights and the St. Louis neighborhoods of Botanical Heights, Franz Park, HiPointe, Shaw and Tower Grove South. Tickets available on-line now and at several area garden centers starting May 15th. The landscapes feature bird and butterfly spaces, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, shade gardens and include both natural and traditional styles. Volunteer docents and the garden hosts will be on-hand at each stop to provide insight into the native plantings and answer questions. The Tour is a collaboration of the St. Louis Audubon Society and the Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter.

The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

Garden Conservancy Open Days June 16th 10am-4pm

The Garden Conservancy is a national nonprofit dedicated to saving and sharing outstanding American gardens. Since 1995, the Garden Conservancy’s award-winning Open Days has welcomed more than one million visitors into thousands of inspired private landscapes – from urban rooftops to organic farms, historic estates to innovative suburban lots – in forty-one states. This year in the St. Louis region, four private gardens in Kirkwood, Ladue, and St. Louis will participate. Visitors may begin the tour at any of the following locations:

Admission to each garden is $7, payable in cash or check; children 12 & under are free. Call 1-888-842-2442, or visit www. opendaysprogram.org for more information.

18th Annual 2018 Pond-O-Rama Tour June 23rd and 24th 9am-5pm

The MP Garden, 1819 Cheswick Place, Kirkwood – anchored by a double koi pond with a peninsula waterfall and a meandering stream from the crest of the hill, this garden has year-round interest. A variety of flowerbeds display both sun- and shade-loving perennials interspersed with conifers, roses, and deciduous shrubs. Steppingstones and pavers wind through the beds, while benches and large “sitting” boulders beckon you to rest. The St. Louis Water Garden Society’s 2018 tour has 33 private gardens owned and maintained by Society members. The gardens are located throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, including in Illinois. This self-guided tour is arranged each day by geographic location. The water features range from spectacular high, thundering waterfalls to quiet streams. There are “pondless waterfalls” that simply disappear at the termination of the falls. Many members have new water gardens to share, while others have enhanced their current ponds and gardens into outdoor rooms and quaint woodland spaces. This year you will see some very unique and creative designs in waterfalls and ponds, gorgeous koi fish, and fantastic gardens.

One Terry Hill Lane, 1 Terry Hill Lane, St. Louis – the landscape was originally designed by Edith Mason in the late 1930s for one of the founding families of nearby Westwood Country Club. Her signature brick and stone walls and paths create a hardscape framework for many diverse garden views, private settings, and container designs; most recent landscape renovations maintenance projects are the work of Bellinger Botanicals. Varied features include an Asian garden, cherry and peach orchards, a privet hedge, a putting green, a greenhouse, and many specimen trees. Secret Garden, 3 Terry Hill Lane, St. Louis – this 1930s home includes brickwork and iron fences providing structure and pathways, with many potted plants as a strategy in overcoming the challenges of wildlife. The fountains, chimes, and music bring peace and tranquility, and garden rooms encourage strolling, sitting, and reflection.

This annual event is the only time St. Louis Water Garden Society members—as a group—open their gardens to the public. In addition to their water features, most of the hosts also are avid gardeners who maintain beautiful landscapes filled with perennials, annuals and shrubs. Hosts will be available and delighted to share information and answer questions about their gardens, their water features, their fish, and their beautiful plants. If you are thinking of adding water to your own garden—or you simply enjoy beautiful landscapes and a weekend filled with beauty—this is the tour for you! The tour provides funds for the St Louis Water Garden Society to continue their civic project to plant and maintain the reflecting pools at the Jewel Box in Forest Park.

The tour ticket booklet gives location addresses, descriptions and driving directions. For more information, call (314) 995-2988. Tickets are available by mail order from the Society’s website in early May at www.slwgs.org and at retail shops and garden centers throughout the metro area. Tickets are $15 each and cover both days of the tour. Everyone on the tour over age 18 requires a Far Meadows, Ladue – directions to this property will be available separate ticket. at each additional location. The gardens were designed in 1924 by Other Upcoming Garden Tours Warren Manning, who received his training from Frederick Law Olmstead. The garden now features large meadows, an English (See our events calendar in May or June for details.) perennial border, a white peony and English boxwood garden, May 19th-20th, Ste. Genevieve Garden Walk, (800) 373-7007 terraces, and fountains. June 10th, New Town Garden Tour, terristeffes1117@gmail.com The Open Day is rain or shine, and no reservations are required. June 30th, Soulard “Art in the Garden” Tour, www.soulard.org MAY 2018

The Gateway Gardener™

St. Louis Hort History Edited by Robert Weaver

Frisella Nursery Celebrates 65 Years

risella Nursery was founded by Frank Frisella in 1953 after acreage purchased to begin a cattle farm had become useless due to the failing cattle industry and the death of his father-in-law/ business partner. Frank was on his own and forced to use the land for a purpose he was comfortable with: raising trees. Over the past sixty-five years, the company has gone from a humble tree farm to an awardwinning, full-service landscape design and build firm and 30Frank Frisella’s passion acre garden center. remains at the heart of Frisella’s Founder Frisella Nursery’s culture. Since his passing in 2007,

Lake St Louis Garden Center

Large Selection of Perennials and Tropicals! New Arrivals Weekly!

Don’t forget Mom/Grandma on Sunday, May 13th! Please visit our gift shop for some Very UniqUe gifts for both Home and Garden. in-HoUSe SPecialS all that weekend! “Like Us” on Facebook

he would confer with many growers from around the country for information on new plants, eager to try them in his fields. His grandchildren (some in Frisella Nursery leadership roles today) remember helping out as children, learning as much about trees as the soil they dug for them. While well known in the green industry for his passion and contribution to horticulture, Frank was remembered by Two of his children, Babette and Tony (current Frisella Nursery owners), remember he would spend endless hours researching plant material well into the late evening with numerous catalogs spread out on the dining room table. He was always eager to share his knowledge even at times when they were less interested. Frank Jr., one of Frank’s sons, Always on the lookout for new with a circa 1955 Frisella and unusual plant material, truck.

NEED A SPEAKER for your Garden Club or Group? 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.)

3230 Technology Dr. Lake St. Louis 63367 www.lakestlouisgardencenter.com 636-561-0124 26

The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

Frank’s other two children, Babette and Tony, are part of the generation leading Frisella’s today. St. Louis residents for his while sipping coffee from the genuine and respectful business nursery’s Caffe Angelina. The timber-frame practices. His legacy of service custom-built and quality has been handed retail store, greenhouses, design down through the generations center, and production offices and held the company are surrounded by plant life afloat during its most trying including annuals, tropicals, economic times. Visitors to trees, a Japanese Garden, a Frisella Nursery will find many vegetable garden and soon a employees who have worked native garden that will house there since they were children one of the area’s only Monarch passing on their knowledge Way Stations. and Frisella traditions to newer Frisella Nursery has proudly employees, eager to work in designed and installed rooftop the green industry at one of the and courtyard gardens for the oldest nurseries in St. Louis. area’s leading hospitals, given

Serving St. Louis and Beyond Many people remember when the garden center was located on N. Lindbergh in Florissant, Missouri where it thrived for 41 years. In 2005, Frisella Nursery moved its entire operation to Defiance, Missouri where customers can find trees and plants of all sizes

MAY 2018

concert halls and historic landmarks fresh curb appeal, and worked with countless Missouri and Illinois residents to create their ideal outdoor environment. One of its larger local projects is Augusta’s Sunflower Hill Farm, said to begin hosting weddings in the spring of 2018.

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Dig This!

Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News Wild Bird Rehab Celebrates 25 Years

Twenty-five years ago Carol Kershner, co-founder of Wild Bird Rehabilitation, turned a passion for wild songbirds into a community service dedicated to the care of area birds, when she opened a1200 square foot clinic on Big Bend Blvd. in Crestwood. Birds cared for at the facility were under federal protection as a result of the Migratory Bird Treaty which required both federal and state permits. In May 2002, Ms. Kershner received the Conservationist of the Year Award from the St. Louis Audubon Society. In 2004 WBR moved to its current location at 9624 Midland Blvd in Overland. This location provided a larger facility as well as an area for an aviary for birds in transition to their natural habitat. Carol Kershner retired in 2013, and today the service is led by Executive Director Joe Hoffmann, formerly Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation at World Bird Sanctuary. Wild Bird Rehabilitation is the only rehabilitation facility dedicated to song birds in Missouri. Their mission is to ensure survival of native songbirds through professional medical care and education regarding their value and needs. Services are provided free of charge to the public. If you would like to help WBR and its mission, visit their website at www. wildbirdrehab.org.

Community Orchards Feeding St. Louis Since 1984, Gateway Greening has supported food-producing community projects. However, community groups want to grow more than just vegetables, they want to expand their projects to grow fruit and nut crops. In 2017, Gateway Greening partnered with the Giving Grove of Kansas City, MO, to bring their community orchard program to St. Louis. This program will allow Gateway Greening to assist community groups in growing a broad diversity of fruit and nut crops that are naturally disease resistant, using a holistic management program that the Kansas City Giving Grove has been using successfully for five years. As of fall 2017, the Giving Grove in Kansas City has provided over 2,000 fruit and nut bearing plants across Kansas City, and Gateway Greening hopes to plant many more here in St. Louis in the years to come. Small community orchards have incredible potential to produce fresh produce for many St. Louis communities. An average Giving Grove orchard in Kansas City contains 15 trees and is capable of producing over 3,500 pounds of produce each year once the plants reach maturity. To date, Giving Grove orchards in St. Louis have been 28

installed at Old Ferguson West Community Garden, Stix ECC Early Childhood Center, Gateway Elementary School, Gateway Michael Elementary School, Central Reform Congregation Community Garden, and Florissant Community Garden. Any group or organization that has completed Gateway Greening’s established Development Process will be eligible for an orchard. This process assists community groups in identifying local resources, engaging community members, and creating long-term management plans. There is a one-time cost for materials when installing a

A Giving Grove installation at Florissant Community Garden with garden members and volunteers from The Burning Kumquat (Washington University) and Gateway Greening staff assisting. Giving Grove, however; in order to make orcharding accessible for everyone in St. Louis, Gateway Greening is offering scholarships that will reduce the cost of installation by 50% or 90%. For the one time cost, community groups will receive: the plant, support stakes or poles, soil amendments during planting, additional soil, burlap, wood chip mulch, and tree wraps. The per plant costs vary from $5-$50 depending on the size and type of plant installed. Gateway Greening will be also be offering ongoing, free education for anyone who wishes to learn more about orchard care, as well as an annual class series covering seasonally relevant topics: Dormant Pruning, Pest Management, Preparing for Harvest, and Summer Pruning. To see specific workshop dates and locations, please visit the event calendar at www.gatewaygreening.org/events. Contact Community Projects Manager Dean Gunderson at dean@gatewaygreening.org or at 314-588-9600 x108 to learn more.

Coffee & Garden Shop to Open in Webster Groves

Maypop Coffee & Garden shop will be opening this The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

month at 803 Marshall A v e n u e , where it aims to better c o n n e c t community members with their natural surroundings and each other. The c o m p l e x includes a greenhouse, collaborative makerspace, and coffee shop that will integrated From left, Laura Tetley, Tammy Behm and be seamlessly with Laura Caldie. the existing historical home. Given the small footprint of the property, Maypop will be focusing on what it calls “purposeful and regionally appropriate plant varieties to ensure a successful garden.” The vision of long-time W e b s t e r resident, T a m m y Behm, and designed by recent Webster transplant, Nick Adams of Mademan Designs, Maypop is fundamentally local in scope. It has a special focus on native plants, which are well adapted to Missouri soils, weather, and wildlife. “Our name comes from a colloquial term for the Passion Flower vine, which is a native that has edible & medicinal properties, grows vigorously, and provides nectar for various insects and animals,” says Marketing Specialist Laura Caldie. “We thought it symbolized the spirit of what we want to create: natural spaces that nourish both people & ecosystems.” Maypop will sell houseplants, edibles, annuals, perennials, shrubs, & trees, as well as garden goods & pottery. The plants in every department are carefully curated to be multi-functional varieties, so every option has a myriad of benefits in addition to their ornamental value. As part of their commitment to environmental responsibility, Maypop won’t be selling any known invasive species or garden products containing harsh chemicals.

seating, and a climate controlled space to relax for shoppers and coffee enthusiasts alike. Maypop sources coffee through specialty roasters that have direct trade relationships with farmers abroad. The tea selections are also provided by St. Louis-based companies. “Just as we are mindful of the plants we carry, we are also selective and intentional with the coffee we choose and how we prepare it to ensure the best experience for our guests.” said General Manager Laura Tetley. Maypop’s ethics reach beyond the ecological; the business is actively seeking partnerships with clubs, nonprofits, and nearby schools. It will serve as a resource for the community by dispersing knowledge, offering a gathering space, and sharing in the flavors of the harvest. In addition to the specialty beverages and plants sold, Maypop will also offer tastings and workshops with local artisans on a regular basis. Special events are set to start over the summer and will include a wide array of topics, not limited to botanical themes. The core team at Maypop has the combined experience of over 10 years in specialty coffee and 30 years in connecting people with plants. Their expertise is evident in the attention to detail and many ideas for future development of the business. More info can be found by following Maypop on Facebook & Instagram.

Mizzou Earns Tree Campus Status

Congratulations to University of Missouri— Columbia for earning 2017 Tree Campus USA® recognition. Tree Campus USA, an Arbor Day Foundation program, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. To obtain this distinction, University of Missouri has met the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry required by Tree Campus USA, including establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects. The entire MU Campus is an official botanic garden, with membership in the American Public Gardens Association. It features approximately 6,000 trees, 24,000 shrubs and 8,000 perennial and annual plants.

The coffee shop portion of the business sits in the retrofitted first floor of the historic home. It offers refreshments, MAY 2018

The Gateway Gardener™

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 July/August issue is June 1st. How to reach us: Mail: PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122 Email: info@gatewaygardener.com

Fun for Kids May 5th 9am—Children’s Garden ClubMother’s Day Project and Gardening Sustainably. 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 themselves. Compliments Wiethops Greenhouses, held at Queeny Park, 1675 South Mason Rd., Nursery #1.

Plant Shows, Sales and Tours

May 4th-5th Noon-9pm Fri, 9am-4pm Sat— Gardeners of Florissant Annual Plant Sale. Annuals for shade and sun, perennials, hanging baskets, vegetables and herbs. James Eagan Civic Center in the south end of the Ice Rink, between Parker Road and Waterford. May 5th 8am-noon—Edwardsville Garden Club Plant Sale. St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parking Lot, 1802 Madison Ave., Edwardsville, IL. 7am-noon—Central

Missouri

Master Gardeners 21st Annual Plant Sale. Indoors at the Jaycee Fairgrounds, Jefferson City, MO. Wide variety of tomatoes, vegetables, peppers, herbs, perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, natives, and succulents. Proceeds fund scholarships, community garden projects and the River City Gardens. 8-11am—St. Clair County Garden Club Plant Sale. Milkweed for monarchs and other perennials, native plants, hostas, daylilies, iris, caladium, shrubs and more from members’ gardens. In front of Wild Birds Unlimited, 2657 N. Illinois (Hwy. 159), Swansea, IL. 8am-1pm— Shepherd of the Hills Garden Club 20th Annual Plant Sale and More. Appletree Mall parking lot at 1830 West Highway 76 in Branson, MO. Come early for best selection – annuals and perennials hardy to our area are available for sale – also miscellaneous gardening and flea market-type items. Proceeds provide a College of Ozarks scholarship and to help with its many community projects. Rain or shine. 8am-1pm— Huge Plant Sale Event. Webster Groves Women’s Garden Association will offer great prices and Master Gardener advice on truckloads of donated perennials from local gardens plus nursery grown annuals & herbs. Also featured: Member-designed container gardens. Bake Sale, Silent Auction and a Gardener’s Wish List Collection raffle. First Congregational Church of Webster Groves, 10 W. Lockwood (corner of Elm and Lockwood). 9am-5pm—St. Louis Hosta Society Show and Sale. New cultivars and old favorites are shown and sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Missouri Botanical Garden, Ridgway Visitor Center, Orthwein Floral Display Hall. Included with Garden admission. May 5th-6th 9am-3pm Sat, 10am-2pm Sun— St. Louis Greenhouse Plant Society Annual Greenhouse Plant Sale. Annual, perennials, herbs, vegetables, water and bog plants, tropical, natives, pollinator attractors,

and succulents. All plants grown by the St. Louis Greenhouse Society master grardener level volunteers. Proceeds benefit St. Louis city and county parks, youth and community gardens and Special School District students. South Technical High School, 12721 West Watson in Sunset Hills. GreenhousePlant Society.com, (314)965-1367. May 11th-12th Members Only preview 2-7pm Fri, Public 9am-2pm Sat—Spring Wildflower Market. Native wildflowers, ferns, trees and shrubs for home landscapes brought to you by Shaw Nature Reserve and local native plant nurseries. Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit, MO, at I-44 and Hwy 100. (636) 451-3512. Admission Free for members and their children, $5 ($3 Seniors and students) non-members. May 12th 8am-noon—Lakeview Garden Club Plant Sale. Large selection of reasonably priced plants. 244 Lakeview Acres Dr. in Collinsville, IL (Intersection of Hwys. 55 and 259). 8am-noon—Mississippi Valley Garden Club Plant Sale. Perennials, divided from members’ gardens. Many varieties, plus gently used gardening items. Experienced gardeners available for advice. AltonWood River Sportsmen’s Club, 3109 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey, IL 62015. www.mvgclub.weebly.com. 9am-5pm—West County Daylily Club Sale. New cultivars and old favorites are shown and sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Missouri Botanical Garden, Ridgway Visitor Center. Included with Garden admission. 9am-noon—Webster Groves Herb Society Display. The Society welcomes all Garden visitors to stop by their display. Missouri Botanical Garden, Ridgway Visitor Center. Free with Garden admission. May 12th-13th 9am-5pm—MBG Greater St. Louis Iris Society Show. Some of the top iris growers in the area display

a wide array of new cultivars and old favorites. Experts from the Greater St. Louis Iris Society will be on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Missouri Botanical Garden Ridgway Center, Beaumont Room. May 19th Noon-4pm—Mid-Illinois Iris Society Show. Entries accepted from 8-10am, judging 10am-noon. Open to public noon-4pm. 22 Horticultural Sections, Divisions for Seedlings, Youth Gardens, Educational Exhibits, Commercial Exhibits. No entry fee. If you need help grooming your iris blooms for the show, attend the MidIl Club’s meetin April 22nd, 7pm at same location. For entry information, call (618) 698-5424. Caseyville Township Hall, 20002 Bunkum Rd., Fairview Heights. Il. 9am-5pm—St. Louis Horticultural Society Show and Sale. New cultivars and old favorites are shown and sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Missouri Botanical Garden, Ridgway Visitor Center. Included with Garden admission. May 19th-20th 10am-4pm Sat., & Sun.—The Ste. Genevieve Master Gardeners Garden Walk and Plant Sale. $7 per person or $6 for groups of five or more. No reservations required. Tour public and private gardens in historic Ste. Genevieve. Plant Sale begins at 9am Sat. 10am Sun. Farmers Market (Sat. 7am-noon), garden merchandise, specials at area shops and restaurants, and other activities. Purchase tickets at Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center, 66 South Main St. 800-373-7007. May 26th-27th 9am-5pm—Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show and Sale. New cultivars and old favorites are shown and sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Missouri Botanical Garden, Ridgway Visitor Center. Included with Garden admission.

The Gateway Gardener™ MAY 2018

June 2nd-3rd 10am-5pm—Hermann Town and Country Garden Tour. See page 24-25 for details.

Classes, Lectures and Events May 1st 9:30-10:30am—Gardening Under Trees. Learn how to garden under trees without damaging them, using an ever expanding selection of shade plants. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. May 3rd 9:30-10:30am—Dazzling Containers for Entrance Way, Patios and Gardens. Learn creative combinations of plants, colors and textures to amaze your family and friends. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 3st and June 7th Open until 8pm—Nights at the Nursery. Come in Thursday evenings to shop, eat, drink and enjoy local musicians. Rolling Ridge Nursery, 60 N. Gore, Webster Groves, MO. (314) 962-3311. RollingRidgeNursery.com. May 5th 8am-5pm--Bringing Natures Home: Spring Celebration of Native Plants and Biodiversity. Join Forrest Keeling Nursery at their Habitat Headquarters to hear presentations by Doug Tallamy (10am), native gardening expert and author of Bringing Nature Home, and other native plant pros. Arrive early to shop, then stay all day to learn, mingle with the experts. Forrest Keeling Nursery, Hwy 79, Elsberry, MO 63343. 1-800-FKN-2401. See ad on page 3 for more details. pg 10am-3pm—Japanese Floral Art. Ikebana International St.Louis Chapter #3. A Children’s Day Celebration. Free Floral Exhibition. In Japan, families celebrate a national holiday Kodomo no Hi to honor all children, and to recognize the importance of the family unit. To be held at Community of Christ Church 803 N. Kirkwood Road Kirkwood, MO. 63122. 10am-noon—K9s 4 Life Event. You and your dogs can participate in fun activities and browse the vendor booths. Benefits the American Cancer Society in honor of the life-

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long contribution of our Canine Caregivers. 20% off pet items during this event only. Contact Rhonda Mueller at lvpenguins@gmail.com, for more information. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-2396729, www.hillermann.com May 5th 10am—Salsa Saturday. Join in the fun and festivities with Cinco de Mayo! Salsa gardens ready to go as well as many other edible container gardens. Margaritas, Succulents and More workshop at 10am. $20 supply fee. Call to sign-up. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com. 10am-2pm—O’Fallon Garden Expo—Enjoy 2 festivals on the same day as the Garden Expo coincides with O’Fallon’s Founders’ Day. Live entertainment, an Arbor Day ceremony, free demonstrations, games and activities for the kids and more. Fort Zumwalt Park, O’Fallon, MO. May 7 1-4pm—Native Plant School: Gardening Under a Black Walnut Grove. Learn what native plants grow well or poorly under black walnuts. $17 ($14 Garden members). Classroom behind Joseph H. Bascom House at Shaw Nature Reserve. For reservations or more information, call (314) 577-9526 or visit ShawNature.org. th

May 8th and 10th 9:30-10:30am —Ditch Those Annuals. Learn how to use perennial plants in containers and planting beds for summer-long color and interest. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. May 13th 9am-5pm—Mother’s Day at Hillermann’s. Many gifts available that mom will love including flowers, plants, gift cards and much more! Have lunch at the food booth to benefit Boy Scout Troop #462 from 11am-1pm. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www. hillermann.com. May 15th and 17th 9:30-10:30am—Minimal Care, Maximum Results, Superb Small Shrubs and Evergreen Perennials.. Learn about evergreen perennials and small shrubs that will reward you with interesting and beautiful plantings all year long with little or no care. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011

The Gateway Gardener™

Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070. May 16th 6:30-7:30pm –Pints ‘n’ Plants: Forest Park Owls. Mark Glenshaw presents Forest Park Owls: Hiding In Plain Sight, and will cover how he found these owls, basic facts about the species, and the different behaviors he has been able to see and document with photos and videos to illustrate these behaviors. Urban Chestnut Bierhall in The Grove. 4485 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110. $5 Suggested donation. May 19th 11am -Hydrangea – why doesn’t my hydrangea bloom? Learn about the types of hydrangea and tips and techniques to grow them in your garden. Timberwinds Nursery, 54 Clarkson Road, Ellisville. FREE class. To reserve your seat, call 636-227-0095 or register online at timberwindsnursery.com/classes. May 22nd 5:30-6:30pm—The Ultimate Hydrangea Guide. Kim Reiss, President of the St. Louis Hydrangea Society, discusses the top choices for sun and shade. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070. May 26th and June 2nd 9:30-10:30am—Garden Stroll with Ann Million. Class takes place at Ann’s extraordinary garden in Crestwood. Sugar Creek Gardens. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070 for reservations and directions. May 27th 9:30-10:30am—Solutions for Your Gardening Challenges Q&A. Bring your challenges, you’ll learn about the plants and techniques that work in tough situations. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 9653070. May 29th 6:30-7:30pm –Summer Vegetable Gardening. Join us at the St. Louis County Library Eureka Hills Branch to discover how to beat the heat of summer gardening, and learn techniques that will keep your tomatoes and other summer crops flourishing. Registration required! Please call the library at 314-9943300 to register. 156 Eureka Towne Center Dr., Eureka, MO 63025

June 2nd 8:30-Noon—St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium. See page 20 for details. Green Living Festival. See pg. 21 for details. 10-11am –Food Safety in the Garden. Come learn how to handle food safely in the garden: what to worry about and what not to. This workshop will focus on best practices for harvesting, washing, and storing produce with an emphasis on gardens that donate to food pantries but all are welcome. 3841 Bell Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108. $5 Suggested donation. 9:30-10:30am—Oh Deer, Deer and Rabbit Resistant Plants. Learn about the techniques and repellents that will keep the animals from your prized beauties, along with the many perennials and annuals they find distasteful. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070. 11am—The Cool New Shrubs. What’s new in Proven Winner’s Color Choice Shrubs and are they really better? Paul Koutz from Spring Meadows Nursery. Effinger Garden Center, 720 South 11th St., Belleville, IL. (618) 234-4600. June 5th 9:30-10:30am—Best Summer Gardening Tips. Hear about the problems that may be lurking and the garden chores you can expect, plus learn about the longest blooming, heaviest producing plants. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070. 7-8pm – Tomato Selection & Growing. Learn how to select new tomato varieties and grow your best tomatoes ever. This event will be held at the St. Louis County Library Bridgeton Trails Branch. Please call the library at 314-994-3300 to RSVP. 3455 McKelvey Rd., Bridgeton, MO 63044. June 6th 9:30-10:30am—The Beautiful Herb Garden. Join members of the St. Louis Herb Society as they share herbs that are tasty as well as pretty. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn Rd., Kirkwood. FREE. Call (314) 965-3070.

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