Gateway Gardener
WINTER 2023-2024 Nov. - Feb.
THE
®
Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes
Winter Gardening Winter Maintenance Tips
Super Bloomers of the Future Holiday Gift Guide for Gardeners Wild Vines FREE Courtesy of:
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events Meetings, Classes, Entertainment and More Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at 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 March 2024 issue is February 1st. How to reach us: Mail: PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122 314-968-3740 Email: info@gatewaygardener.com
Fun for Kids Nov. 4th 9am—St. Louis County Parks Children’s Garden Club: Bird Feeders. FREE. Planthaven Farms Garden Center, 6703 Telegraph Rd., Oakville. Pre-registration is required on the St. Louis County website at https://tinyurl.com/yc3v3pfj or by calling 314-615-4386. Dec. 2nd 9am—St. Louis County Parks Children’s Garden Club: Holiday Swag Decorating. FREE. Sherwood Forest & Garden Center, 2651 Barrett Station Rd., Ballwin. Preregistration is required on the St. Louis County website at https://tinyurl.com/ yc3v3pfj or by calling 314-615-4386. Dec. 2nd 10:30am-1pm—Santa’s Stop at the Garden. Santa Claus is coming to town and making a stop at the Garden! Our littlest members are invited to drop by from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. to say hello and enjoy a cookie, hot chocolate, festive music, and hands-on activities in the Bayer Event Center. Event reservations are not required, actives are included for members’ with their garden general admission. A membership card must be presented to participate in the activities. Please enter through the Bayer Event Center, directly to the east of the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center. Activities include Letters to Santa, Ornament decorating, Cookies and hot chocolate, Live music, and Visit with Santa. Free for Garden members and their children. Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Ave., St. Louis.
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Dec. 8th-10th, 15th-17th 5:30-7:30pm—Supper with Santa. Before making his big trip around the world, Santa is stopping by the Butterfly House! Enjoy a delicious dinner and take night strolls through our Tropical Conservatory. Santa’s Workshop stations will offer children the chance to make fun crafts. After dinner, visit Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Kitchen for cookies and cocoa. The evening would not be complete without getting a souvenir picture with the guest of honor – Santa! Advance registration required. Admission is $20 Garden Members, $25 Nonmembers, Free ages 12 months and under. Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, 15050 Faust Park, Chesterfield, 63017. 314-577-0888.
Classes, Lectures and Events Nov. 8 8-11am—EGO Equipment Demo Day. Demo EGO Power + Equipment and speak to our Sales Rep. Check out new EGO items including the Lawn Tractor, Zero Turn Mowers (lap bar and E-Steer Technology steering wheel units), as well as Push Mowers, Handheld Equipment, mobile and large Charging Units, and more. Models to fit all workloads from residential to high demand commercial needs. Contractors, come check out the great models from the EGO Commercial Line. Learn more at egopowerplus.com. Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann.com. Nov. 9th 5:30-7:30pm—Sip n Shop Pop Up. Passiglia’s Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center, 1855 Hwy 109, Wildwood. Call 636-431-4061 or visit passiglia.com. Nov. 12th 10am-4pm—Old Webster Holiday Open House. Visit small businesses and restaurants, including Rolling Ridge Nursery, where the Webster Groves Historical Society will host its Holiday Market with crafters and vendors. Refreshments and fun for the whole family. Nov 18 & 19th 8am-4pm (Sat.), 10am-3pm (Sun)— Hoffmann Hillermann’s Holiday Open House. Let the sparkle and splendor of our holiday displays get you in the Spirit of the Season. Different color schemes and themes offer unique designs in each display - sure to keep you enchanted while browsing throughout our garden center. Choose beautiful decorations for your home and great gifts to shorten your Christmas shopping list! Light refreshments will be available. 20% OFF Christmas items - during this event only. Fresh Christmas trees, greens and floral items excluded. Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www. hillermann.com.
Nov. 18th-Dec. 14th Garden Glow. Celebrate the season with one million lights, fun new experiences, and traditional favorites. Enjoy photo opportunities, traditional holiday music and festivities, and delicious food and drinks as the Garden is transformed around you into a winter wonderland. Learn more at glow.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Advance tickets encouraged. Missouri Botanical Garden. Nov. 19th 1-2pm—Porch Pot Workshop. Passiglia’s Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center, 1855 Hwy 109, Wildwood. Call 636-4314061 or visit passiglia.com. Nov. 19th 9am-4pm—Poinsettia Wonderland Open House. See the largest display of poinsettias in the area. Self-guided tours of the greenhouses from 10am-3pm. Enjoy Christmas carolers, holiday cookies and crafters. Proceeds benefit Millstadt Optimist Your Club. Millstadt Gardens and N.G. Heimos Greenhouses, 6667 Route 158, Millstadt, IL. (618) 476-9600. Nov. 24th-Dec. 31st 10am-4pm—Winter Jewels: An Enchanted Celebration. The Butterfly House transforms into an enchanted land this winter. Escape the cold as the Butterfly House magically transforms during Winter Jewels! Enjoy the Tropical Conservatory filled with elaborate fairy gardens, home to the guardians of our jewel-toned butterflies. Discover the world of many colors that can be found in nature. Included with Butterfly House admission. Free for members, included with admission for non-members. Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Closed Mondays. Nov. 25th Small Business Saturday. Support your local, independent garden centers and other small businesses. Your money spent locally stays in your community. Nov. 29th 1-2pm—Porch Pot Workshop. Passiglia’s Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center, 1855 Hwy 109, Wildwood. Call 636-4314061 or visit passiglia.com. Dec. 2nd 10am-Noon—Meet Santa at Hoffmann Hillermann’s. Bring your children to visit and take a picture with Santa in a beautiful holiday display! Families and pets are welcome. This is a great way to create holiday memories. Bring a camera or phone to take pictures (no photographer). Charitable donations are requested for this event. Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-239-6729, www.hillermann. com. Dec. 2nd Holiday Open House. Passiglia’s Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center, 1855 Hwy 109, Wildwood. Call 636-4314061 or visit passiglia.com.
Dec. 2nd 10am-4pm—Customer Appreciation Day. Rolling Ridge will host its annual Customer Appreciation Day, with refreshments, crafters, music and fun for the whole family. Rolling Ridge Nursery, 60 N. Gore, Webster Groves, MO. Dec. 3rd and 17th 11am-2pm--Holiday Open House. Live reindeer, family photos and more. FREE. at Planthaven’s location at 9504 Olive Blvd. in Olivette only. Call for details (314)-8460078. Dec. 9th 10am-Noon—Meet Santa and The Grinch. Santa: Bring your children to visit and take a picture with Santa in a beautiful holiday display! Families and pets are welcome. This is a great way to create holiday memories. Bring a camera or phone to take your own pictures (no photographer). The Grinch will also be sneaking around the nursery and greenhouse causing a little mischief. Beware if you come by to shop for a Christmas tree, gifts and decorations. He could pop up anywhere and surprise you. You are welcome to come by and look for him during this time. You can even take pictures with your camera or phone (no photographer). Charitable donations are requested for this event. Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-2396729, www.hillermann.com. Dec. 16th 10am-Noon—The Grinch at Hoffmann Hillermann’s. The Grinch will be sneaking around the nursery and greenhouse causing a little mischief. Beware if you come by to shop for a Christmas tree, gifts and decorations. He could pop up anywhere and surprise you. You are welcome to come by and look for him during this time. You can even take pictures with your camera or phone (no photographer). Charitable donations are requested for this event. Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 636-2396729, www.hillermann.com. Dec. 17th 1-2pm—Paint and Pour Workshop. Passiglia’s Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center, 1855 Hwy 109, Wildwood. Call 636-431-4061 or visit passiglia.com. March 8th and 9th Midwestern Herb and Garden Show. For both the gardening experts and the gardening hopefuls, three days of demonstrations, classes, and seminars with nationally recognized speakers and unique displays by more than 40+ exhibitors. The Herb & Garden Show is an opportunity to learn from the experts during the free hourly educational classes where you can ask questions, share information and even participate in take-home activities. More details will be available closer to the date of the event. For more information call (800) 252-5464 or visit www. midwesternherbandgardenshow.com.
The Gateway Gardener™ WINTER 23-24
Gateway Gardener THE
®
Your Guide to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes
WINTER 23-24
Volume 19, Number 7
Founded in 2005 by Joyce Bruno & Robert Weaver Publisher and Editor Robert Weaver Columnists Abby Lapides Sugar Creek Gardens Steffie Littlefield Edg-Clif Winery Samantha Zale Greenscape Gardens Scott Woodbury Cacalia Design & Wilding
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.
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From the Editor
t’s always a challenge to put together a Winter issue that keeps readers engaged through four months of our gardening calendar. The inclination is to focus on the winter holiday season, but after that, two months still remain to pique a reader’s interest. As I write this in late October, berries on the deciduous hollies are bright red, but the leaves remain on the branches, and so far, the robins haven’t shown interest. So much remains ahead of us before the first bulbs and spring ephemerals signal the start of a new season. I feel like our contributors have done a good job this issue, not only of getting us in the holiday spirit, but of looking ahead to the first months of 2024. Let’s see what we have.
Samantha Zale prepares us for winter by detailing some ways we can decorate the outdoors for winter, while reminding us of the needs not only of plants and plant materials we have used to adorn our pots and containers, but also of those permanent landscape plants set in the ground last year or in recent years. Read more beginning on page 8. Our garden center friends have compiled an inspirational list of gift suggestions for your favorite gardening family member or
us to a few, beginning on page 4.
friend…or as a hint to leave conspicuously on the kitchen table. You’ll find our annual Holiday Gift Guide for Gardeners on page 10. After turning the calendar to 2024, the itch starts to present itself and thoughts of the gardening season ahead begin to creep into our minds. Abby Lapides, like most garden center owners, is way ahead of us in looking to the new growing season. She and her peers have made multiple trips in the previous growing season to visit the fields and trial gardens of wholesale growers to see what new and exciting plants will be available to anxious gardeners in 2024. Many of these new offerings feature versions of past favorites with bigger, more abundant blooms. She introduces
Finally, Scott Woodbury reports from his secure perch in the world of native plants on page 12, focusing on native vines and how to keep them under control. Scott visited my garden a few years ago, and, strolling past one bed, stopped and pointed to a small vine just beginning to stretch, and said, “Is that passion vine?” If so, it was news to me, as I hadn’t planted it. Despite his warning that it can be fairly aggressive, I let it go anyway, curious to see its tropical-looking flowers in my own garden. My curiosity has now been satiated by vines and flowers that threaten to engulf the rhododenrons under which ithey grow. But it’s won a (restricted) place in my garden anyway. Happy Holidays to all, and when you have time to return to these pages post-holiday season, renew your own passion for the season ahead with the vigor of the vines so named.
Good Gardening!
On the Cover...
Though certainly a slow time in the garden, winter is not without a few tasks to put on the To-Do list. Pots, whether holding live evergreens or decorative cuttings, require occasional watering. And even trees and shrubs in the ground may need a sprinkle on warm winter days. Read more on page 8. Photo courtesy 123rf.com.
IN THIS ISSUE 2 Upcoming Events 4 Super Bloomers 8 Winter Gardening 10 Holiday Gift Guide 12 Wild Vines 14 D.I.G. Conference
Super BLOOMERS of the Future! by Abby Lapides
Lavender ‘Super Blue’
M
ore flowers, bigger blossoms, higher fragrance, repeat blooming! These incredible cutting-edge plants will level up your garden.
YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR
HOUSEPL ANTS
& POTTERY FOR HOME
A profuse bloomer, ‘Go Go Red’ reblooming false spirea, Astilbe, brings large fluffy ruby red plumes first in late spring - but that’s not all! This gem surprises us with more blossoms from fall until frost. Spectacular in flower, the fuzzy blossoms rise above its attractive mound of ferny foliage. This exceptionally robust variety brings the one characteristic most other Astilbe lack: the ability to rebloom. When Star® Roses introduced the Knock Out® shrub rose in 2000, it popularized approachable rose gardening for everyone— even novice gardeners. Well, they’ve done it again and created a rose just as low maintenance as the original, but with a stunning modern color. ‘Orange Glow’ Knock Out shrub rose delivers a bounty of intensely colored flowers on an easy-care shrub.
HOLIDAY DECORATING We Have What You Need! Fresh Greens, Wreaths, Pine Roping, Holly, Live & Cut Christmas Trees, Homegrown Poinsettias, Houseplants, Rosemary, Amaryillis, Grave Blankets & Pillows.
G A R D E N H E I G H T S N U R S E RY 1605 Big Bend Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63117 314-645-7333 www.gardenheights.com
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720 South 11th St. • Belleville (618) 234-4600 • www.effingergarden.com
The Gateway Gardener™ WINTER 23-24
Knock Out® Rose ‘Orange Glow’
Astilbe ‘Go Go Red’
Allium ‘Bubble Bath’
Aster ‘Blue Bayou’ Luminous orange flowers bloom repeatedly from spring to frost. Deep glossy green foliage looks fabulous from spring to fall. Just like what you would expect of a Knock Out rose, ‘Orange Glow’ is long-blooming, disease-resistant, and easy care. 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 late-season color that asters bring extends the flowering season right up to a hard frost. ‘Blue Bayou’ aster adds unique pompom flowers that stand out in any fall garden. These deep blue extra frilly blossoms appear in late summer and continue to frost. Flowers appear over a perfect round mound of foliage that stays neat all season – no pruning needed! Looking like it belongs in Alice in Wonderland, ‘Bubble Bath’ ornamental onion, Allium, stuns with oversized lavender flowers on tall stems. From late summer into early fall, 3″ perfectly rounded clusters of light lilac-pink flowers stand atop leafless stems like lollipops. Slightly curled, strappy blue-green leaves cont’d. on next pg.
new episodes every 1st & 3rd Monday of the month The Host
Julie Evans Straatmann
Located at the corner of Clayton Road and Hwy 109. Across from Lafayette High School 636-458-9202 passiglia@passiglia.com 1855 MO-109, Wildwood, MO 63038
WINTER 23-24
The Gateway Gardener™
Design, Installation, Landscape Lighting, Irrigation 10 acres of quality Trees, Shrubs, Perennials and more Full Inventory list on Passiglia.com
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Hosta ‘Miss America’ cont’d. from prev. pg. look beautiful all season long. Plant ‘Bubble Bath’ along walkways, in the front or middle of a perennial border, or in swaths to create a wonderfully whimsical display. Highly recommended by daylily connoisseurs as an absolute top choice, ‘Desert Flame’ daylily, Hemerocallis, sets the garden ablaze with large 5½”, flaming red-orange blossoms. The color is so vibrant, you’ll need sunglasses to even look at it! Daylily expert Arthur Kroll calls ‘Desert Flame’ “the most beautiful in its color class, a terrific daylily.” This reblooming variety sets up its first bloom in summer and then repeats again from late summer to fall. With towering flower spikes and glamorous foliage ‘Miss America’ Hosta deserves a crown. Large soft lilac flowers with a lavender interior pattern appear on sky-high 5′ tall, thick, upright stems. The foliage also brings elegant form and color with green heart-shaped leaves and streaky white centers. One of the longest-blooming English lavenders available, ‘Super
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Carolina Allspice ‘Simply Scentsational’ Blue’ produces armloads of intensely fragrant lavender wands from early summer into fall. Only growing 10-12″ tall, its short stature makes it ideal for containers and edging. This extra-tough variety withstands cold winters, heat, and humidity. As soon as you come near ‘Simply Scentsational’ Carolina allspice, Calycanthus, your nose knows: this is something special. Selected and refined over an 18-year period, the blooms of this selection of our Missouri native shrub are an intriguing deep maroon that appear in abundance from spring into summer. The blooms are powerfully fragrant, with hints of pineapple, strawberry, and even bubblegum at times! Use some of these progressive plants to turn your garden into a flowering spectacle. Photo credits: Hosta ‘Miss America’ and Allium ‘Bubble Bath’ courtesy Abby Lapides. Carolina Allspice ‘Simply Scentsational’ courtesy Proven Winners. Knock Out Rose ‘Orange Glow’ courtesy Star Roses. Lavender ‘Super Blue’ courtesy Ann Lapides. Aster ‘Blue Bayou’ courtesy Growing Colors, and Astilbe ‘Go Go Red’ courtesy Garden World.
The Gateway Gardener™ WINTER 23-24
A Great Holiday Gift!
NAME, VISION & INSPIRATIONS! GET READY TO... WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2023
Why not give The Gateway Gardener to your favorite gardener this Holiday season? Just complete this form and mail it with $24 for postage and handling to the address below. Your friend or relative will receive 7 issues (a oneyear subscription) beginning with the next issue.
Gift From: Gift To:
Address:
City, State & Zip: Phone: Email:
Please make your check payable to The Gateway Gardener and mail it with this form to:
The Gateway Gardener • PO Box 220853 St. Louis, MO 63122
St. Charles Convention Center St. Charles, Missouri
In cooperation with MoGIA, formerly known as MoGIC
For more info or to register: MoGIA.org
NEW VISION. IDEAS.THAT’S THAT’S OUR YOU’LLYOU’LL LEARN: LEARN: NEW VISION. NEWNEW IDEAS. OURPROMISE. PROMISE. Innovations and techniques in soil health. • Innovations and techniques in soil health. Landscape inspirations from natural communities. Ideas for natural ways to stimulate plant health and performance. • Landscape inspirations communities. Innovative management methodsfrom to buildnatural your business bigger and better. Strategies for understanding markets and influence marketing. • Ideas for natural ways to stimulate plant health and Tools for expanding your reach to new audiences. New products, services, and technologies at our event trade show. performance. Our two keynotes and a full slatemethods of morning and breakouts • Innovative management to afternoon build your business will have you fired up and inspired for an even bigger 2024! bigger and better. Nick Castro is a licensed Brain Dr. Charlie Hall is a sought• Strategies for understanding markets and influence Trainer and a certified Leadership Expert after speaker in our industry. Charlie with over 20 years of experience. With grew up in the industry on a nursery in marketing. a background in agriculture, Nick has Western North Carolina. An economist a passion for tropical plants and soil training, Hall is a professor in Texas • Toolsscience. for expanding your reach to newbyA&M’s audiences. Department of Horticultural Nick brings a global perspective to his work. His annual projects Sciences. He also holds the Ellison Chair in International Floriculture. Known for his teams of overservices 100 and budgets and technologies • New involve products, at our event trade enthusiasm, Charlie has broad knowledge exceeding $45 million. of green industry market topics. These show.His DIG keynote, “Cultivating include innovative management and
Harmony: Nurturing Soil Health for a Flourishing Mind”, will illuminate the connection between soil health and mental well-being.
marketing strategies, financial analysis, and benchmarking. He is also a student of the situation/outlook for nursery and greenhouse crops.
“We’re experiencing a surge in mental health issues across all demographics,” says Castro. “We’re inundated with information, comparative analysis, and personal reflection. Our businesses, careers and personal lives are under incredible strain.”
Charlie is EAGL’s chief curriculum officer. EAGL is an executive ‘mini-MBA’ curriculum tailored to the nursery and greenhouse industry. Charlie developed EAGL’s practical curriculum in collaboration with Texas A&M University.
Our two keynotes and a full slate of morning and afternoon breakouts will have you fired up and inspired for an even bigger 2024I Enter the connection soil health mental wellNickbetween Castro is a and licensed Brain being. Nick Castro’s keynote explores the interplay between Trainer and a certified Leadership the two. Discover how soil influences our physical health Expert Learn withactionable over practices 20 years and emotional resilience. for a of flourishing world,experience. nurturing landscapes, and our minds. Gain real strategies to transform your business and leadership approach.
His DIG keynote “Cultivating Harmony: Nurturing Soil Health for a Flourishing Mind”, will illuminate the connection between soil health and mental wellbeing.
Dr. Hall’s keynote is “Green Industry Economic Climate and Forecast for 2024”.Dr. Dr. Charlie Hall will a deep Charlie Halltakeisyoua onsought-after dive into the current performance of the green industry. He’ll speaker in ourchain industry, an economist explain economic factors like supply challenges, and rising input costs. by training and a professor in Texas
A&M’s Department of Horticultural
“I’ll predict what growers can expect in 2024 and give them strategies to position for business success in 2024,” offers Hall. Sciences.
His DIG keynote, “Green Industry Economic
Climate and Forecast for 2024,” will take you on a come a day early and earn your pesticide recertification!
Heather Holm, biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author, will explore how to create and manage landscapes for the benefit of native bees. Dr. Jared Hoyle will talk about how to maximize weed control in turfgrass and the landscape.
deep dive into the current performance of the green industry. Hilary Noonan, Principal with Syntax Land Design, LLC, and the KAW Permaculture Collaborative, will discuss how to store more water and carbon in your landscape.
Kim Grant, director of Digital Strategy at 2060 Digital / Hubbard Interactive, will share her experience developing and executing marketing campaigns for Missouri Department of Conservation.
Full Schedule and Online Registration at:
MoGIA.org
Hurry! Rates go up after Nov. 17th! Brought to you by
2023 Event Sponsor
Come a day early and earn your pesticide recertification! WINTER 23-24
The Gateway Gardener™
7
Winter Gardening 123rf.com
by Samantha Zale
J
ust because it’s wintertime doesn’t mean the planting season is over! Porch pots are a great way to help us extend the growing season. Essentially, you can create porch pots for every season. Often times, you can even update the same container throughout each season. In winter, it’s important to remember about your newly planted trees & shrubs. Here we will go over tips for extending the growing season with winter porch pots and for newly planted trees & shrubs.
One important thing to take into consideration is the weather. While we cannot control the weather, we can be better prepared for what it decides to throw our way. Here in St. Louis, we see a wide range in our weather from frigid temps to extreme heat. For example, last winter and even this summer was really rough on plants because of extreme temperatures along with minimal amounts of precipitation.
How this all relates for newly planted trees & shrubs is that during There is so much flexibility when creating porch pots, they can the winter there is some maintenance that needs to be done. You be all different shapes and sizes. The sky’s the limit! Typically, wouldn’t think it but it is very important to water new trees & shrubs porch pots for the winter season can use a variety of evergreens and evergreen cuttings due to their longevity when compared to things like annuals and even some perennials. Annuals can be used most of the year but they struggle with winter temperatures especially since Samantha Zale is a Content Creator for they are in a container. Even pansies can struggle in containers, Greenscape Gardens, and also manages particularly if they are in a smaller pot in the middle of the yard, Front Desk Operations and Customer compared to a larger pot near the house in a more protected area. Support. Perennials may have a better chance of overwintering in a container, particularly hellebores and heuchera being semi-evergreen. Again, it all comes down to the size of your container and the area that it’s in. A bigger container and a protected area near the house can give plants a better chance because their roots are better protected. During extreme cold snaps, like we saw last winter, bring your porch pot in the garage if possible. This creates another buffer between the air and the root system. Evergreens that can be used as the centerpiece in porch pots are upright boxwoods, junipers, arborvitae and cypress. Many of these, along with cedars and some magnolias also work well as cuttings to give more volume & texture to the design. Once you have the base of the greens, you can add embellishments to the pot to add even more interest. This includes bows, birch poles and berries to name a few. Many garden centers around town will either have classes geared towards teaching the ins and outs of creating porch pots or they’ll have a selection of ready-made containers that you can grab and go, so that’s something worth checking out! 8
The Gateway Gardener™ WINTER 23-24
during the winter, especially if there is little to no precipitation. Don’t forget about container plantings in the winter; whether they are evergreen cutting porch pots or a potted tree, winter watering is critically important! First, the water helps to actually create some insulation for the roots. And secondly, since they may be dormant deciduous trees or even year-round evergreens, they need water to thrive. During the winter we can take a break from fertilizing but once we get into march then we need to get to it. Typically, an acidic fertilizer will be needed by the spring for many evergreens like arborvitae, hollies, azaleas and even hydrangeas. If you have a wide range of plants, you can use more of an all-purpose, but either way the goal is to promote foliar (leaf) growth at that point. Hopefully, these tips & tricks can lead to a successful winter season.
Start Your Garden Indoors Now!
We Have the Seeds and Supplies You Need!
Happy winter gardening!
Plus a Complete Line of Bird Feeders and Bird Seed
Sizzle n’ Heat
Squirrels Taste the Heat, Birds Don’t! e” Lik
Samantha Zale
“
Us
on
115 E. Argonne Kirkwood, MO
(314) 822 -0083 Hours: m-f 9:00-5:30 Sat 8:30-5:00 We Accept: Personal Checks & Cash
WINTER 23-24
The Gateway Gardener™
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Holiday Gifts for Gardeners Sugar Creek Gardens 1011 N. Woodlawn Kirkwood, MO 314-965-3070 SugarCreekGardens.com
Houseplants Give your loved ones a living treat that can last for years. Pictured: Monstera Thai Constellation. Garden Heights Nursery, Inc 1605 S Big Bend St. Louis, MO 314-645-7333 GardenHeights.com
Figurine Candy Dishes Our figurine candy dishes make for thoughtful hostess gifts and are perfect for holding your favorite candies for the season or even holiday floral arrangements! Bring to an upcoming gathering, or use them as decor on your own table or bar cart at home for the holidays!
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OK Hatchery 115 E. Argonne Dr. Kirkwood, MO 63122 (314) 822-0083 Whaley’s Pecans
Whaley’s Pecans have been a must for OK Hatchery customers for years! Great for snacking or baking holiday treats.
toolless removal/replacement of the bar and chain for easy maintenance; and an AS 2 battery for long run times. The ¼ marks PM3 saw chain provides smooth cuts with low vibration. Sold as a set that includes a battery, charger, multi-oil, and a transport bag. Everything users need to take on a variety of landscaping tasks. Planthaven Farms Garden Center 6703 Telegraph Rd. Oakville, MO (314) 846-0078 9504 Olive Blvd. Olivette, MO 314-716-3997 PlanthavenFarms.com
Hoffmann Hillermann Nursery & Florist 2601 E 5th Street Washington, MO 63090 636-239-6729 | www.hillermann. com
STIHL GTA 26 Garden Pruner This Garden Pruner will help you handle pruning and trimming tasks in your yard and garden with ease. Perfect for users of any level. It offers high cutting performance and power with a precise cutting pattern. Its lightweight, compact design and rubber grips provide ease of use and minimizes wrist torsion. A LED light display shows the charge level and status of the tool. Features: ReducedEmission Engine Technology; a 4-inch guide bar with a retractable chain guard for precision cutting;
Garden-Inspired Pillows Spruce up your space with these charming garden-inspired pillows! They’re a fantastic gift for your friend who’s all about that garden life. Find them inside our Oakville and Olivette gift shops! Rolling Ridge Nursery 60 N. Gore Webster Groves, MO (314) 962-3311 Rolling RidgeNursery.com
Wild Plant Care Products Want to grow thriving plants without the guesswork? The Wild Plant Care products are simple, organic, and effective. Earthworms have done the hard work so you don’t have to!
Each product is full of all the nutrients, beneficial bacteria, fungi, and hormones that plants love, but miss out on in a pot. It means that you can see incredible results, without harsh and nasty chemicals. All beautifully packaged in a gift box! Effinger Garden Center 720 South 11th St Belleville IL 62220 618-234-4600 www.effingergarden.com
Fresh Greens and More Fresh greens, wreaths, pine roping, holly and poinsettias. Festive holiday planters. Amaryllis, rosemary and bonsai. Decorated grave blankets and grave sprays. Cut balsam and fraser fir Christmas trees. Live blue spruce, Alberta spruce and white pine trees. Forrest Keeling Nursery 88 Forrest Keeling Lane Elsberry, MO 63343 800-356-2401 ForrestKeeling.com
Native Plants Make winter gardening dreams come true for your native plant fanatic with a gift card from
The Gateway Gardener™ WINTER 23-24
Looking for that special gift for your favorite gardener? We asked area garden centers and other related shops for some suggestions to make your shopping easier-or clip and leave conspicuously lying around as a not-so-subtle hint to your Santa. room during the dreary winter months. Each bloom brings joy and color to your space for weeks on end. Pick up an Amaryllis at Chalily or send one as a gift anywhere in the US at Chalily. com! Forrest Keeling Nursery. Forrest Keeling is naturally different. Family-owned for over seven decades. Innovator of the patented RPM-production method for stronger, healthier, fastergrowing plants. Able to fruit and flower earlier and survive better. And grow up to two times faster. With our native plants and you, we are helping restore the earth’s ecosystems... ‘one tree at a time’. Order your gift card at bit.ly//ShopNatives. Card to be redeemed at our Elsberry location, just a short drive from St. Louis on Highway 79. Chalily 14430 Manchester Rd. Manchester, MO 63011 (636) 527-2001 Chalily.com
Amaryllis Amaryllis have been a symbol of beauty during the holiday season for centuries! The warmth from an amaryllis bloom will light the
WINTER 23-24
Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyard 10025 Edg-Clif Drive Potosi, Mo 63664 573-438-4741 www.edg-clif.com steffie@edg-clif.com
Edg-Clif Winery Getaway A weekend adventure in the country in a unique and authentic farmhouse will fit those special people on your list and a visit to the winery & brewery will match everyone’s style. Choose from 4 unique cottages. Airbnb gift cards available. Staying for the weekend in one of our charming cottages in the Ozarks. Hiking, biking, fishing, boating, riding and exploring are all here for you to experience or try sipping, listening, visiting, learning and gazing at your own pace. All houses have full kitchens, laundry rooms, new bathrooms and kitchens, BBQ’s and fire pits.
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Who Should Advertise? Specialty Retailers
• Garden Centers and Nurseries • Garden Gift and Accessory Shops • L & G Tool and Equipment Sales/Rental/ Service • Landscape Building Material Centers • Outdoor Living Furnishing Centers • Wild Bird Centers • Farmer’s Markets
Professional Landscape Services
• Arborists • Landscape Maintenance Specialists • Interior Plantscape Specialists • Irrigation Contractors • Landscape Contractors • Landscape Designers • Landscape Lighting Specialists • Lawn Care Services • Swimming Pool Design/ Installation/Service Specialists • Water Garden Specialists
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• Lawn and Garden Product Marketing • Outdoor Living Products • Landscape Building Products • Plant Health and Nutrition Products • Plant Marketing Programs • Home and Garden Tours • Garden Club Plant Sales
Starting as low as $100/issue! Deadline for the March 2024 issue is February 1
Questions? info@gatewaygardener.com 314-968-3740
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Naturally Natives Wild Vines I Have Loved
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here is an often overlooked suite of native plants that are ideal for many landscaping applications: native vines. Not only do native vines address vertical landscaping surfaces, in many instances, they are ideal for groundcovers as well. Take Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) for instance. When grown as a ground cover, it covers the ground nicely all the way out to the edges, but then keeps on growing, so it needs regular trimming. Not what I would call low-maintenance, but an important species for wildlife. It’s also lovely growing on a tree trunk or arbor, with burgundy and red fall color and blue berries that are quickly gobbled up by woodpeckers and bluebirds. However, it can overtake a small tree or trellis, and therefore needs trimming, twice yearly to keep it in check.
The bigger the vine, the bigger the work Cross vine (Bignonia capreolata), trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), Carolina moonseed (Cocculus caroliniana), and pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa) are also aggressive performers, climbing over 70 feet into trees in the wild. They need elbow-room
Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter ~ LUTHER BURBANK
in gardens, or the heavy hand of a gardener, to tame them in tight quarters. Clever gardeners isolate them on a big trellis, surrounded by lawn or concrete, to arrest their underground spread. At Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas, crossvine is used to cover an expanse of shady ground, though it persistently strolls onto the sidewalk. A creative gardener friend once grew pipevine on a Cross Vine long arbor above a walkway so he could better see the pipevine caterpillars from beneath, and the steady rain of caterpillar frass! Another friend planted trumpet creeper on a tall pole in the middle of his back lawn: it had nowhere to go but up. Because crossvine is semi-evergreen, it makes a great screen between properties along a fence or trellis. All of these big vines require regular pruning to maintain control.
Tiny vines that I can’t live without
I love the loose nature of old English cottage gardens. Here, plants get to ramble, in a controlled sort of way, and so they look untamed and more natural, like a modern wildflower garden. Leatherflowers (Clematis versicolor and C. crispa), yellow honeysuckle (Lonicera flava), Yellow and passion flowers (Passiflora Honeysuckle incarnata and P. lutea) are small vines that work well in this environment, when left to ramble and weave between other plants, or over an old log or tree stump. These are good choices for tiny gardens because they are the smallest of the native vines. Note that passion flowers tend to spread here and there by underground roots. They don’t stay put in one place for long, so are not a good choice for planting on a fence or trellis.
Midsize vines are the workhorses of the garden
CONNECT NATURE
LIMITED WINTER HOURS — PLEASE CALL AHEAD. 88 Forrest Keeling Lane | Elsberry, MO 63343 | 573-898-3010 | forrestkeeling.com
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Midsize vines include coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), limber honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica), bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), prairie rose (Rosa setigera), and supplejack (Berchemia scandens). Since they are smaller in size, they are more manageable and can be trained on a fence or on small to midsize trellises. Bittersweet is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Multiple seedlings are required for the best chance of getting females that fruit. Prairie rose has wicked thorns, but is The Gateway Gardener™ WINTER 23-24
Carol Davit
text and photos (except as noted) by Scott Woodbury
Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants rebar, cable, bamboo sticks, and garden stakes. The best wire to tie twining vines onto your trellis or fence is called soft tie wire. It has a soft rubber coating that is easy to use and gentle on fingers and plants. Vines with clinging tendrils or aerial roots can cling onto tree trunks, wooden structures, and stone or brick surfaces, but they may need to be tied to string or a trellis to get them started. Happy vining, y’all.
Limber Honeysuckle
Supplejack
one of the most rewarding plants. It produces fragrant flowers in late spring (that are buzz-pollinated by bumblebees!), bright red clusters of berries in late summer, and brilliant red, orange, and yellow fall color. Limber honeysuckle has very showy leaves that resemble eucalyptus, and produces abundant orange berries. Supplejack has striated green branches, apricot fall leaf color, and tiny, purple berries in autumn. We need to garden more with vines. They are abundantly useful and remarkably showy. We tend to forget about the vertical spaces in our gardens. They can block unsavory views and instead, create inviting, outdoor spaces with vines growing on fences, trellis, and other structures, as well as up tree trunks. They can be used as groundcovers, taking the place of unused turf. It’s time to use native vines to create pretty views and intimate rooms in your garden for comfort and solitude. There are a number of trellises available for sale. I recommend using the biggest, sturdiest ones you can find or afford. You might also find a metal fabricator that can weld up trellis frames for you. Lastly, you can make your own with a creative use of
Bittersweet Twining/10-15’ Coral honeysuckle Twining/15-20’ Crossvine Clinging tendrils/15-20’ Leather flowers Twining/5-7’ Moonseed Twining/10-15’ Passion flowers Twining/7-12’ Pipevine Twining/15-20’ Prairie rose Arching canes/7-10’ Supplejack Twining/15-20’ Trumpet creeper Clinging aerial roots/15-20’ Virginia creeper Clinging tendrils/15-20’ Yellow honeysuckle Twining/7-10’
"... FOR GARDENING
BEGINS IN WINTER, Bamboo Trellis
Scott Woodbury was the horticulturist at Shaw Nature Reserve for 30 years and stepped down from that position in June 2022. He continues to work on contract for Shaw Nature Reserve to carry out native landscaping education and has launched his own business called Cacalia: Native Garden Design and Wilding. Find suppliers of native plants, seeds, and services at the Grow Native! Resource Guide: www. moprairie.org. WINTER 23-24
Vine Climbing Method / Pruned Max Garden Length
The Gateway Gardener™
WITH A DREAM."
www.greenscapegardens.com 13
DIG Conference
November 29th • St. Charles Convention Ctr.
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or nearly a quarter of a century, green industry professionals, educators, horticulture students and master gardeners have been attending the annual Missouri Green Industry Conference (MoGIC) to take advantage of skill sharpening seminars, gain inspiration from dynamic keynote speakers, catch up on the latest technology and horticulture practices and products, and network with their peers. MoGIC was presented by three industry organizations—Mississippi Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association, the Gateway Chapter Sports Turf Managers Association, and the Missouri Green Industry Alliance (MoGIA). This year, under the sole management of MoGIA, a new conference is being introduced: DIG: Discover. Investigate. Grow. The DIG conference will feature many of the elements that made the previous conferences must-attend events for so many professionals, include inspiring and educational keynote speakers, breakout sessions with a variety of topics to meet
Topics of the day include innovations and techniques in soil health, landscape inspirations for natural communities, natural ways to stimulate plant health and performance, strategies for understanding markets and influence marketing, and more. Keynote and guest speakers of the day include: Nick Castro, licensed Brain Trainer and certified Leadership Expert, will illuminate the connection between soil health and mental wellbeing. Dr. Charlie Hall, a professor of Horticulture Sciences at Texas A&M University, will conduct a deep dive into the current performance of the green industry. Heather Holm, biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author, will explore how to create and manage landscapes for the benefit of native bees. Hilary Noonan, Principal with Syntax Land Design, LLC, and the KAW Permaculture Collaborative, will discuss how to store more water and carbon in your landscape. Dr. Jared Hoyle will talk about how to maximize weed control in turfgrass and the landscape.
the wide-ranging interests and specialties of attendees, an expansive trade show to introduce the latest in gear, techniques and products, and ample opportunity to mix with other pros and share experiences. But MoGIA leaders have reshaped, refreshed and renewed the entire event to make it even more relevant to the needs of today’s green industry pros. 14
The Gateway Gardener™ WINTER 23-24
Kim Grant, director of Digital Strategy at 2060 Digital / Hubbard Interactive, will share her experience developing and executing marketing campaigns for Missouri
industry’s value to Missouri. It represents various sectors of the industry, including landscape construction and management, turf management, landscape architecture and design, plant product (nurseries and greenhouses), distribution, retail garden Department of Conservation that inform, educate, and advocate centers and institutions of higher learning. green industry initiatives. For more information and to register, visit mogia.org. The event is sponsored by Lawn Care Equipment Company, and trade show participants include the following: Dewitt, Heartland Seed, Amsoil, Home Nursery, Hummert International, Forest Lawn, VPG Inc., Foster’s Inc., Back to Nature, BWI, Forrest Keeling Nursery, St. Louis Composting, Green Leaf, MPR, M.T.I., M&M, and Bio-Sorb, Inc. The DIG Conference will be held November 29th at St. Charles Convention Center. A hot buffet lunch is included, and the day will also include an opportunity to win prizes while contributing to the MoGIA Scholarship fund by participating in the Silent/Not So Silent Auction. Winners of the auction as well as the MoGIA Scholarship winners will be announced at the end of the day by “The Pointe” radio show host LERN. Start Your Family’s Holidays at the
As with past conferences, there will also be an opportunity to obtain pesticide recertification by attending a program on November 28th, the day before the DIG Conference. A box lunch is included.
Poinsettia Wonderland Open House
The Missouri Green Industry Association (MoGIA) was established in 2017, as various organizations like the Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association (MLNA), Missouri Turf and Ornamental Council (MoTOC), formed the single organization in order to provide a unified voice for Missouri’s green industry with a vision to offer a resource that advances the green industry and increase public awareness of the
Sunday, November 19th from 9am-4pm Greenhouse Tours 10am-3pm
Come see the area’s LARGEST display of poinsettias! Our professional growing staff will assist in self-guided tours and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Crafters • Cookies • Santa • Holiday Entertainment
(Covid-19 practices will be followed.)
Millstadt Gardens N.G. Heimos Greenhouses
6667 Route 158 • Millstadt, IL 62260 (Just minutes from the JB Bridge) (618) 476-9600 Hosted by The Heimos Family, N.G. Heimos Greenhouses, Millstadt Gardens, and Micky’s Minis. A percentage of sales to benefit the Millstadt Optimist Youth Club WINTER 23-24
The Gateway Gardener™
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