THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!
SUCCESS IS NEVER FOREVER
& FAILURE ISN'T FATAL
Friday, February 24, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
ADVENTURE AWAITS AT THE NEW DORIS I. SCHNUCK CHILDREN'S GARDEN OPENING AT THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
Grand Opening Activities Each Weekend in April; Open Daily in May
(ST. LOUIS): St. Louis's newest major family attraction, the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden: A Missouri Adventure, opens its gates this April at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd. Explore the 19th century Missouri frontier and life along the river throughout nearly two acres designed for hands-on fun and learning, located west of the Climatron(r) conservatory.
The children of the Donald Schnuck family provided the lead gift to build the garden, named in honor of their mother.
"For many people, the understanding of science and scientific process comes from individual experience," said Garden President Dr. Peter Raven. "Through the generosity of the Schnuck family, this garden will provide a stimulating environment for the early experience of childhood wonder at the natural world."
At the Children's Garden entrance, silhouettes of Missouri Botanical Garden founder Henry Shaw, Mark Twain, Daniel Boone, Lewis and Clark, and Sacagawea introduce the garden's four central themes of discovery, adventure, botany, and settlement. The journey begins on Adventure Plaza, where a rocky bluff and cascading waterfall meet a large map of America underfoot. Here visitors choose from four paths, each leading down a unique journey.
The Discoverer's Path crosses one of two rope bridges leading to the Osage Camp. A glance at journals left by previous explorers offers insights at life among the Osage, including how early settlers interacted with the plants and animals they needed for survival. Visitors can see native wetland plants and access the nearby pond from the Discovery Platform.
Adventurer's Path begins with a glide down Spelunker's Slide to enter a rocky limestone cave where stalactites and stalagmites grow. Fossils, artifacts and petroglyphs are found inside the cool, dimly lit cavern. Children will learn how plants and animals adapt to cave life, how caves have been used for shelter and mining, and discover stones and minerals commonly found in Missouri.
River commerce is bustling at a docked steamboat, where shipments of antique goods are unloaded at the levee. Visitors can operate a series of locks to regulate the river's flow. The effects of animals and people on the environment are evident at a beaver dam and logging camp.
Along the Botanist's Path, a rustic boardwalk climbs through the treetops of mature Osage oranges planted by Henry Shaw over 100 years ago. At the center, the Tree Trunk Pavilion offers an elevated view of the entire Children's Garden. Kids can compare tree species at the three-level log Frontier Fort and learn about the uses and importance of wood. Plant and animal specimens, toys and other hidden treasures are found in the pockets of a large fabricated tree, which allows safe ascent to a tree house. At Stump Station, moveable cylinders demonstrate a tree's life cycle. Underneath, dangling roots invite children to learn about life below the ground.
Birds, bees and butterflies are attracted to the colorful flowers that grow in the petal-shaped Pollination Garden. Children can crawl inside a giant beehive to investigate its honeycombs or follow the footprints of a "bee dance." Further down the path, a trick door hidden among the hedges gains entry to a secret Victorian garden, where one can make music on sound sculptures or imagine young Henry Shaw's childhood in Sheffield, England.
The Settler's Path meanders down a country road and across a covered bridge, past a farm wagon and challenging climbing rock to the Tot Lot, where little ones can "plant" plastic veggies in the sand. Children can operate two jumping water jets and a mushroom pump in the splash area. The path leads to a Midwestern prairie village from the 1800s where food, medicine and merchandise in the general store display common examples of the plants and people connection. Displays in the surveyor's office demonstrate settlement's alteration of the natural landscape and how plants serve as eco-indicators of soil quality. In the jailhouse, invasive plants that arrived with the settlers are "locked up" in cells and identified on "most wanted" posters. Outside, gravestones mark a few of Missouri's endangered plants, reminding visitors that extinction is forever. The Town Hall serves as a central gathering area and can be rented for children's birthday parties beginning in June.
The Children's Garden will open Saturdays and Sundays in April from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with special grand opening activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Visitors can meet the new frog mascot, appear on a video guestbook, listen to live music and buy souvenir photo buttons. The St. Louis County Library will offer a program and craft each Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Beginning May 1, the Children's Garden will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October and open weekends only in November and March (weather permitting).
Children's Garden admission is $3 for ages three to 12, free for children ages two and under. Adult admission to the Children's Garden is free; general Garden admission applies ($4- $8).
For more information, visit www.mobot.org or call the recorded line (314) 577-9400 or toll-free (800) 642-8842.
Grand Opening Activities Each Weekend in April; Open Daily in May
(ST. LOUIS): St. Louis's newest major family attraction, the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden: A Missouri Adventure, opens its gates this April at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd. Explore the 19th century Missouri frontier and life along the river throughout nearly two acres designed for hands-on fun and learning, located west of the Climatron(r) conservatory.
The children of the Donald Schnuck family provided the lead gift to build the garden, named in honor of their mother.
"For many people, the understanding of science and scientific process comes from individual experience," said Garden President Dr. Peter Raven. "Through the generosity of the Schnuck family, this garden will provide a stimulating environment for the early experience of childhood wonder at the natural world."
At the Children's Garden entrance, silhouettes of Missouri Botanical Garden founder Henry Shaw, Mark Twain, Daniel Boone, Lewis and Clark, and Sacagawea introduce the garden's four central themes of discovery, adventure, botany, and settlement. The journey begins on Adventure Plaza, where a rocky bluff and cascading waterfall meet a large map of America underfoot. Here visitors choose from four paths, each leading down a unique journey.
The Discoverer's Path crosses one of two rope bridges leading to the Osage Camp. A glance at journals left by previous explorers offers insights at life among the Osage, including how early settlers interacted with the plants and animals they needed for survival. Visitors can see native wetland plants and access the nearby pond from the Discovery Platform.
Adventurer's Path begins with a glide down Spelunker's Slide to enter a rocky limestone cave where stalactites and stalagmites grow. Fossils, artifacts and petroglyphs are found inside the cool, dimly lit cavern. Children will learn how plants and animals adapt to cave life, how caves have been used for shelter and mining, and discover stones and minerals commonly found in Missouri.
River commerce is bustling at a docked steamboat, where shipments of antique goods are unloaded at the levee. Visitors can operate a series of locks to regulate the river's flow. The effects of animals and people on the environment are evident at a beaver dam and logging camp.
Along the Botanist's Path, a rustic boardwalk climbs through the treetops of mature Osage oranges planted by Henry Shaw over 100 years ago. At the center, the Tree Trunk Pavilion offers an elevated view of the entire Children's Garden. Kids can compare tree species at the three-level log Frontier Fort and learn about the uses and importance of wood. Plant and animal specimens, toys and other hidden treasures are found in the pockets of a large fabricated tree, which allows safe ascent to a tree house. At Stump Station, moveable cylinders demonstrate a tree's life cycle. Underneath, dangling roots invite children to learn about life below the ground.
Birds, bees and butterflies are attracted to the colorful flowers that grow in the petal-shaped Pollination Garden. Children can crawl inside a giant beehive to investigate its honeycombs or follow the footprints of a "bee dance." Further down the path, a trick door hidden among the hedges gains entry to a secret Victorian garden, where one can make music on sound sculptures or imagine young Henry Shaw's childhood in Sheffield, England.
The Settler's Path meanders down a country road and across a covered bridge, past a farm wagon and challenging climbing rock to the Tot Lot, where little ones can "plant" plastic veggies in the sand. Children can operate two jumping water jets and a mushroom pump in the splash area. The path leads to a Midwestern prairie village from the 1800s where food, medicine and merchandise in the general store display common examples of the plants and people connection. Displays in the surveyor's office demonstrate settlement's alteration of the natural landscape and how plants serve as eco-indicators of soil quality. In the jailhouse, invasive plants that arrived with the settlers are "locked up" in cells and identified on "most wanted" posters. Outside, gravestones mark a few of Missouri's endangered plants, reminding visitors that extinction is forever. The Town Hall serves as a central gathering area and can be rented for children's birthday parties beginning in June.
The Children's Garden will open Saturdays and Sundays in April from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with special grand opening activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Visitors can meet the new frog mascot, appear on a video guestbook, listen to live music and buy souvenir photo buttons. The St. Louis County Library will offer a program and craft each Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Beginning May 1, the Children's Garden will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October and open weekends only in November and March (weather permitting).
Children's Garden admission is $3 for ages three to 12, free for children ages two and under. Adult admission to the Children's Garden is free; general Garden admission applies ($4- $8).
For more information, visit www.mobot.org or call the recorded line (314) 577-9400 or toll-free (800) 642-8842.
CONTAINER GARDENING
What is the latest rage in gardening?
The unanimous answer heard and viewed on the east and west coast, in Ohio and also across the state in Kansas City was CONTAINER GARDENING.
The rage at the first annual Eastern Performance Tours which was hosted by the garden centers and growers in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland was definitely container gardening. Outstanding displays with both annual and perennial flowers showcased the benefits of container gardening.
Next, we went to the Western Show in Kansas City and once again we were treated to the keynote speaker Judy Sharpton bestowing the attibutes of container gardening or "thinking outside the box". Judy's eye opening presentation showed some great combinations. How does the maturing gardener who is downsizing and moving into a condominiums or villas with limited growing space but still want to garden, do? Its simple, container garden on the front porch or rear deck and change the flowers seasonally.
The next trade show we attended was the Ohio Cents Show in Columbus Ohio and once again the hot topic was "container gardening". Suppliers had some of the greatest displays of unusual pots imported from around the world.
The next stop was Downtown San Diego in their loft district. The lofts and condominiums in this area command a million dollars. Container gardening was evident on every floor of the condominiums. The sidewalks were alive with blooming flowers in extra large containers. Even the parks and plazas had large oversize containers with some of the most remarkable blooming flowers.
How about St. Louis! We at Greenscape Gardens have seen a recent shift to container gardening and a recent visit with Bill Ruppert (sales rep with Walter Gardens in Michigan) and Gary Bohm (owner of Bohm Perennials in Maryville, Illinois) confirmed our position. Bill is spearheading an initiative with Charlie Brennan at KMOX radio to bring more "flower power" to Downtown St. Louis including container gardening.
Stay tuned for some "out of the box" container gardening coming to Greenscape Gardens. We're sure you're going to like this new gardening concept.
What is the latest rage in gardening?
The unanimous answer heard and viewed on the east and west coast, in Ohio and also across the state in Kansas City was CONTAINER GARDENING.
The rage at the first annual Eastern Performance Tours which was hosted by the garden centers and growers in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland was definitely container gardening. Outstanding displays with both annual and perennial flowers showcased the benefits of container gardening.
Next, we went to the Western Show in Kansas City and once again we were treated to the keynote speaker Judy Sharpton bestowing the attibutes of container gardening or "thinking outside the box". Judy's eye opening presentation showed some great combinations. How does the maturing gardener who is downsizing and moving into a condominiums or villas with limited growing space but still want to garden, do? Its simple, container garden on the front porch or rear deck and change the flowers seasonally.
The next trade show we attended was the Ohio Cents Show in Columbus Ohio and once again the hot topic was "container gardening". Suppliers had some of the greatest displays of unusual pots imported from around the world.
The next stop was Downtown San Diego in their loft district. The lofts and condominiums in this area command a million dollars. Container gardening was evident on every floor of the condominiums. The sidewalks were alive with blooming flowers in extra large containers. Even the parks and plazas had large oversize containers with some of the most remarkable blooming flowers.
How about St. Louis! We at Greenscape Gardens have seen a recent shift to container gardening and a recent visit with Bill Ruppert (sales rep with Walter Gardens in Michigan) and Gary Bohm (owner of Bohm Perennials in Maryville, Illinois) confirmed our position. Bill is spearheading an initiative with Charlie Brennan at KMOX radio to bring more "flower power" to Downtown St. Louis including container gardening.
Stay tuned for some "out of the box" container gardening coming to Greenscape Gardens. We're sure you're going to like this new gardening concept.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
PLANTS OF MERIT PROGRAM ASSISTS HOME GARDENING SUCCESS
(ST. LOUIS): Gardeners choosing plants for their gardens this year should first consider the Missouri Botanical Garden's dependable, recommended "Plants of Merit." Fifty-five selections have been named for 2006, including several first-time additions. Each has proven to be outstanding and reliable in the lower Midwest growing region, USDA zones five and six.
Established in 1999, the Plants of Merit program has quickly become an industry model among comprehensive plant recognition programs, focused on regionally promoting ecologically responsible diversity. The program, established by the Missouri Botanical Garden's William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening in partnership with Powell Gardens and the University of Missouri Extension, shares expert industry knowledge of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs and vines with home gardeners. Plant selections are dependable performers yet often underutilized by home gardeners because limited information about them is available.
"With Plants of Merit, a homeowner can save both money and time," said Mary Ann Fink, program coordinator. "The program assists gardeners in creating a pretty garden or landscape that can be easily managed without chemicals and extra work."
Each year Plants of Merit sponsors - including industry professionals and associates, institutional representatives and the gardening community - present a consulting committee with a variety of plants for possible inclusion in the list. The committee compiles the final Plants of Merit selections by focusing on what makes a quality plant. Selections are considered "good neighbor plants" for being attractive, disease and pest resistant, and non-invasive, therefore promoting responsible diversity. Plants' performances are observed for two to five years, depending on category, in order to determine their reliability. Pictures, descriptions and information on growing conditions are including in the Plants of Merit resource guide. Once plants have gained mainstream recognition and appeal, they are graduated to emeritus standing.
Among several new additions to the 2006 Plants of Merit guide is Elephant ear (Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger'), an annual with large tropical green foliage, providing a perfect contrast with ferns and hostas. It thrives in partial shade, with leaves that grow up to 30 inches in length on plants that grow between three and four feet tall.
The 2006 guide also notes several habitat plants or selections that are attractive to wildlife. Cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit), for example, is an annual from the morning glory family that makes a superb cover for fences and trellises, growing between four to six feet long and potentially reaching up to 10 feet long. Its tubular scarlet flowers are magnets for hummingbirds. The Seven-son flower tree, (Heptacodium miconiodies) is a small ornamental increasing in popularity for its fragrant clusters of white flowers that bloom from late August to late September. By flowering at a young age, the tree offers butterflies a reliable nectar source year after year. Flowers are followed by a showy display of purplish-red fruits, offering multiple seasons of interest.
Today, the Plants of Merit program is financially sponsored by 60 green community members, including retail nursery and garden centers. The 2006 guide can be purchased for $2 from the Kemper Center or the Garden Gate Shop of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd. in St. Louis, or from any program sponsor. View the guide free of charge online at http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/www.plantsofmerit.org.
For more information on the Plants of Merit program, including how a community or group can earn a Merit Garden Recognition, call Mary Ann Fink at (314) 577-9443.
GREENSCAPE GARDENS ARE PROUD SPONSORS OF THE PLANTS OF MERIT PROGRAM. THE GARDEN CENTER'S DISPLAY GARDEN HOSTS A LARGE SELECTION OF PAST AND PRESENT RECIPIENTS. MANY OF THESE PLANTS HAVE BEEN PLANTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN ONE OF THE DISPLAY GARDENS. LOOK FOR THE DISTINCTIVE PLACARDS.
(ST. LOUIS): Gardeners choosing plants for their gardens this year should first consider the Missouri Botanical Garden's dependable, recommended "Plants of Merit." Fifty-five selections have been named for 2006, including several first-time additions. Each has proven to be outstanding and reliable in the lower Midwest growing region, USDA zones five and six.
Established in 1999, the Plants of Merit program has quickly become an industry model among comprehensive plant recognition programs, focused on regionally promoting ecologically responsible diversity. The program, established by the Missouri Botanical Garden's William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening in partnership with Powell Gardens and the University of Missouri Extension, shares expert industry knowledge of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs and vines with home gardeners. Plant selections are dependable performers yet often underutilized by home gardeners because limited information about them is available.
"With Plants of Merit, a homeowner can save both money and time," said Mary Ann Fink, program coordinator. "The program assists gardeners in creating a pretty garden or landscape that can be easily managed without chemicals and extra work."
Each year Plants of Merit sponsors - including industry professionals and associates, institutional representatives and the gardening community - present a consulting committee with a variety of plants for possible inclusion in the list. The committee compiles the final Plants of Merit selections by focusing on what makes a quality plant. Selections are considered "good neighbor plants" for being attractive, disease and pest resistant, and non-invasive, therefore promoting responsible diversity. Plants' performances are observed for two to five years, depending on category, in order to determine their reliability. Pictures, descriptions and information on growing conditions are including in the Plants of Merit resource guide. Once plants have gained mainstream recognition and appeal, they are graduated to emeritus standing.
Among several new additions to the 2006 Plants of Merit guide is Elephant ear (Xanthosoma 'Lime Zinger'), an annual with large tropical green foliage, providing a perfect contrast with ferns and hostas. It thrives in partial shade, with leaves that grow up to 30 inches in length on plants that grow between three and four feet tall.
The 2006 guide also notes several habitat plants or selections that are attractive to wildlife. Cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit), for example, is an annual from the morning glory family that makes a superb cover for fences and trellises, growing between four to six feet long and potentially reaching up to 10 feet long. Its tubular scarlet flowers are magnets for hummingbirds. The Seven-son flower tree, (Heptacodium miconiodies) is a small ornamental increasing in popularity for its fragrant clusters of white flowers that bloom from late August to late September. By flowering at a young age, the tree offers butterflies a reliable nectar source year after year. Flowers are followed by a showy display of purplish-red fruits, offering multiple seasons of interest.
Today, the Plants of Merit program is financially sponsored by 60 green community members, including retail nursery and garden centers. The 2006 guide can be purchased for $2 from the Kemper Center or the Garden Gate Shop of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd. in St. Louis, or from any program sponsor. View the guide free of charge online at http://mail.yahoo.com/config/login?/www.plantsofmerit.org.
For more information on the Plants of Merit program, including how a community or group can earn a Merit Garden Recognition, call Mary Ann Fink at (314) 577-9443.
GREENSCAPE GARDENS ARE PROUD SPONSORS OF THE PLANTS OF MERIT PROGRAM. THE GARDEN CENTER'S DISPLAY GARDEN HOSTS A LARGE SELECTION OF PAST AND PRESENT RECIPIENTS. MANY OF THESE PLANTS HAVE BEEN PLANTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN ONE OF THE DISPLAY GARDENS. LOOK FOR THE DISTINCTIVE PLACARDS.
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