ALL ABOARD. THE 2007 GREENSCAPE GARDEN RAILROAD IS ONCE AGAIN OPERATING DAILY. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF NEW SURPRISES IN BARRETT VILLAGE THE 1890'S TOWN. BRING THE KIDS, THEY'LL REALLY GET A KICK OUT OF "G" GAUGE TRAIN. ALL ABOARD!!!!!!

ONE WEEK AT FORT MYERS BEACH AND WE ATE TWICE AT THIS GULFSIDE RESTURANT. MAYBE BY PLUGGING THEM, I'LL GET A FREE MEAL....SO MUCH FOR WISHFUL THINKING.

SUNSET AT FORT MYERS BEACH PIER ON JANUARY 15TH, 2007. OUR FAVORITE GET AWAY AND BEST SEAFOOD. AS THE SEASON HEADS INTO HIGH GEAR, WE REMEMBER THE RELAXING BEACH LIFE. "The picture is taken from our table which is 20 feet from the water". Now that's the life.

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

BEAT THE 5 O'CLOCK RUSH....LEAVE WORK AT NOON

THE TRUCKS ARE ROLLING IN DAILY NOW. TWO TRUCKS PULLED INTO THE YARD OVERNIGHT. PICTURED IS A TRUCK LOAD OF BASICALLY HARDWOOD MAPLES AND WHITE PINES FROM TENNESSEE. THE OTHER TRUCK WAS LOADED WITH AZALEAS, RHODODENDRONS FROM OREGON. PLANTS ARE LOOKING GREAT AND THE NURSERY IS QUICKLY FILLING UP.

2007 URBAN TREE OF THE YEAR

BALD CYPRESS

The Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA) has chosen baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) as the Urban Tree of the Year. The Urban Tree of the Year must be adaptable to a variety of harsh urban conditions and have strong ornamental traits. The contest has been running for twelve years, and past winners include Kentucky coffeetree (2006), ‘Chanticleer’ flowering pear (2005), and ‘Autumn Blaze’ red maple (2004).

Sarasota County, Florida Forester David Godson says, “Baldcypress provides four seasons of interest, excellent wind resistance, wildlife habitat and food, and is relatively litter- and pest-free. It has, thus far, shown to be fairly benign to hardscape infrastructure compared to other species in similar growing conditions.”

Eric Berg, Community Forest Program Leader for the Kansas Forest Service, says that baldcypress is one of his long-time favorites. “A tree that is native to swampland yet survives and thrives on the high plains deserves some recognition in my book. Honestly, ‘tree of merit’ is an understatement with baldcypress given its adaptability, unique structure, and rooting characteristics. What other tree can you group around a small-acreage pond yet also utilize in a windbreak or screening planting along a sandy upland site?”

Of course, there is no one perfect tree for every situation, and baldcypress has its limitations. It should be given adequate space to grow: with proper tree care, it can be expected to mature at approximately 70 feet tall and 25 feet wide.

Greenscape Gardens has a great selection of Bald Cypress. In the St. Louis area it requires a realitively moist area. It prefers damp areas with sufficient moisture during the summer months. I have a bald cypress in the country planted on the edge of an island in our lake. The tree has doubled in size in only 2 years. Great tree!

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

EVERY MORNING IS THE DAWN.....OF A NEW ERROR

SANDY CREEK COVERED BRIDGE

OLD LEMAY FERRY ROAD

JEFFERSON COUNTY, MISSOURI

THE WINNER!!!!

GREENSCAPE GARDENS WON BEST CONTAINER GARDEN SATURDAY AT THE ST. LOUIS HORTICULTURE PLANT SYMPOSIUM. DAVE & JANICE MURRAY OF FOX 2 KTVI PRESENTED THE AWARD TO MATT WYATT OF GREENSCAPE GARDENS. THE WINNING ENTRY FROM GREENSCAPE WAS TITLED "KISS MY GLASS", COMPLIMENTS OF MICHAEL WYATT. MIKE CREATED 12 GLASS BLOWN FLOWERS TO COMPLIMENT THE YELLOW "TIE DYED" POT WHICH MATT PAINTED. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE WYATT'S ON A GREAT SHOW.

Dan Heinz, owner of Terra Nova, of Portland Oregon with Jennifer. Dan's company "creates" 3.5 million tissue cultures annually. Dan was a speaker at the St. Louis Plant Symposium and stopped by Greenscape Gardens on Saturday afternoon. During his visit, he gave Jennifer some great tips which we will institute. Thanks for the visit Dan.

ALL AMERICAN SELECTIONS

Every year, All-America Selections tests new, unsold cultivars in various trials and informs gardeners about the winners. The newest winners were announced recently and will be available May 1, 2007. There are three 2008 winners:

Bedding plant award winner. Bred by Goldsmith Seeds in Gilroy, Calif., ‘Asti White’ is the first F1 hybrid white osteospermum propagated from seed. From plug to flowering, plants require 14-16 weeks in 4-inch pots or larger. ‘Asti White’ is bred for production during several seasons and should exhibit heat and drought tolerance during summer months.

Cool-season bedding plant award winner. Viola ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’ was tested in southern locations during the winter. Judges found it to be cold and heat tolerant. Propagated from seed, ‘Skippy XL Plum-Gold’ needs about 10 weeks from sow to bloom. It is recommended for 3- to 4-inch flowering pots or combinations planters with bulbs or annuals. This viola was bred by Kieft Seeds Holland.

Vegetable award winner. ‘Hansel’ is a miniature eggplant; its plant size is less than 3 ft. tall. Seminis Vegetable Seeds in Oxnard, Calif., bred it. During trials, ‘Hansel’ was productive under a wide range of growing conditions. Like all eggplants, ‘Hansel’ needs warm temperatures to thrive and blossom. The glossy, dark-purple fruit are borne in finger-like clusters of 3-6 fruit.

To learn more about All-America Selections, visit www.all-americaselections.org.

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

IF YOU LIVED IN YOUR CAR....YOU'D BE HOME BY NOW

LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS

Whether you are in the process of landscaping a new home site or interested in renovating an existing yard, consider native plantings. Native landscaping is the practice of cultivating plants indigenous to our area with the goal of harmonizing the landscape ith nature. Before European settlement, around 150 years ago pristine prairies, woodlands and savannas covered our landscape.

Nearly all has been altered or replaced by farming, urbanization, and the interruption of natural processes such as fire. The return of native plants to the urban, suburban or rural landscape brings back our natural heritage, enriches the human spirit, and restores the ecology of our local environment.

Why consider native landscaping?

• Butterflies and songbirds benefit from the diversity of food, cover, and space in a natural planting, and add to the pleasure your home provides.
• Native landscaping saves precious time and expense and lessens our dependence on chemicals and non-renewable resources. It is unnecessary to resort to artificial methods of maintenance such as adding fertilizers and pesticides, mowing and irrigating.
• Native plants are well adapted and can survive bitter, cold winters and hot, dry summers.
• Native landscaping soaks up rainfall and consequently reduces runoff of nutrients and chemicals into our lakes.
• A native landscape is dynamic. Interesting flowers, shapes, colors, and textures vary from week to week, season to season, year to year. The splendid diversity favorably contracts to a traditional landscape.
• Discovering the wonders of nature is an exciting reward.

Ecological and environmental considerations:

• In the United States, lawns occupy more land than any single crop, including wheat, corn or tobacco. (Newsweek June 21, 1993)
• Ten times more chemical pesticides are applied to lawns than farm crops. (Newsweek June 21, 1993)
• Of the 34 major lawn care pesticides, 32 have not been tested for their long-term effects on humans and the environment.

Native plants and design choices.

A well planned landscape that includes native plants to accent each season is a valuable asset to your property. Your site characteristics will determine the type of planting for successful results.

You can employ different degrees of native plantings on your property.

• Incorporate native trees and shrubs into a traditional landscape.
• Replace a high maintenance annual garden with a butterfly or prairie garden.
• Design small islands of plant communities.
• Naturalize an entire yard, include a border, (lawn, shrub,fence, between your yard and your neighbor's property.
• Cooperate with your neighbors to integrate native landscapes or to create a natural corridor through your yards.

Whatever option you choose, a native landscape will benefit or land, restore a home for wildlife, and provide a satisfying experience for all.

HELP TURN THE CITY GREEN!

VOLUNTEER FOR THE GREAT PERENNIAL DIVIDE

The Great Perennial Divide is an annual event hosted by Gateway Greening to provide plants donated from St. Louis backyard gardeners to 160 community gardens and citizen managed green spaces in the urban core. Join this extraordinary effort by lifting a hand, or a shovel, in support of a "plant"roots neighborhood beautification.

Volunteer opportunities are available March, April and May.

* Dig plants at residential gardens for distribution to community gardens.

* Pot and water plants at a plant collection site in a neighborhood near you.

* Label, sort and water plants in preparation for the event. Shifts available on May 1st - 4th from 9am-12pm and or 1pm-4pm.

Amateur and experienced gardeners alike can contribute to community gardens while learning more about perennials, bulbs, and shrubs. To volunteer, contact Renee Davidson at (314) 577-0284 or sign up online at www.gatewaygreening.org/volunteeropportunities.html

Join us at the Carriage House, 3815 Bell Avenue (located at Vandeventer , two blocks north of Delmar), for a Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, April 7 at 10am or on Saturday April 14 at 10am.

THE GROW WILD GARDEN TOUR

Take a walk on the wild side! If you enjoy gardening with native plants or simply like spending time in beautiful and peaceful gardens, you will enjoy this native plant garden tour. Eight native landscapes at private homes were selected to provide a variety of landscape styles. Each garden is brimming with Missouri native plants and will have experts on hand to answer your questions. They will be happy to talk to you about the many benefits and joys of native plant gardening.

THE GROW WILD GARDEN TOUR WILL BE IN AND AROUND KIRKWOOD ON SUNDAY JUNE 24 FROM 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M.

ADVANCE TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED FOR $10 PER PERSON BY CONTACTING
THE GREEN CENTER
8025 BLACKBERRY AVE.
UNIVERSITY CITY, MO 63130

BY CALLING (314) 725-8314

OR VISIT WEBSITE AT www.thegreencenter.org

GROW WILD GARDEN SITES INCLUDE:

June Hutson's Garden (Former garden of Edgar Denison) in Kirkwood
Bill & Linda Bennet's Native Bird Garden in Kirkwood
Ann McCormics Native Bird Garden in Kirkwood
Nathan & Julie Jacobs "2006 Grow Native Garden" in Kirkwood
June Walker's Native Prarie and Woodland Garden in Kirkwood
Elaine Fortner & Linda Virga's Wildlife Friendly Garden in Crestwood
Connie & Jordan Heimen's Rain Garden in Olivette
The Green Center's Prarie in University City

Advance ticket price is $10.00. On the day of the tour, tickets are $15 and will be available only at the Green Center in University City.

Other interesting sites to check out: www.shawnature.org and www.for-wild.org

TEN REASONS TO PLANT A TREE

1. Trees conserve energy in the summer, and thereby save you money. Properly planted trees can cut your air-conditioning costs by 15-35%

2. Trees help clean the air. Trees produce the oxygen we breathe, and remove air pollution by lowering air temperature, through respiration, and by retaining particulates.

3. Trees bring songbirds close by. Birdsong will fill the air as trees provide nesting sites, food, and cover for countless species.

4. Trees around your home can increase its value by up to 15% or more. Studies of comparable houses with and without trees place a markedly higher value on those whose yards are sheltered by trees.

5. Trees help clean our rivers and streams. Trees hold the soil in place and reduce polluted runoff into our waterways.

6. Trees conserve energy in the winter. Trees can slow cold winter winds, and can cut your heating costs 10-20%.

7. Trees fight global warming. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the major contributor to the threat of global warming. Trees planted near our homes and in our communities moderate temperatures and reduce the need for air conditioning and heating produced by burning fossil fuesl, a major souce of excess atmospehric carbon dioxide.

8. Trees make your home and your neighborhood, more beautiful. Trees mark the changing of the seasons, and add grace and seasonal color. Trees make a house feel like a home.

9. Trees are fun! Planting and caring for trees can be a great family and community building activity.

10. The most important reason is: We have one of the greatest selections of outstanding trees in the St. Louis area. Come in now for the best selections.