Gardening Archives - Good Food St. Louis

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So today’s post will speak for itself. I snapped these photos during a recent morning at the Missouri Botanical Garden—one of the nation’s premier botanical sites. My friend, Lucy, (the plant whisperer) was in town. She had never been to Shaw’s Garden (as it was originally called), so we set out to remedy that omission.

We arrived at the Garden early on Wednesday, thinking we’d beat the heat and horticulturists. We failed at both. While I daubed sun screen on my face, I neglected to cap my head. For the first time in my life, I got sunburn on my scalp.

Garden Glories

Garden members receive an annual remembrance for their support, usually an umbrella or tote bag. This year the choice was between a floral umbrella or insulated cup with the Garden logo. When I last made an umbrella inventory, I discovered that my car, condo, and farm are well stocked with rain gear, so I went for the cup. My gift card had expired during the COVID years, but the clerk happily honored it anyway.

More on the Way

The Gift Shop is greatly reduced in size temporarily while the $100 million Jack C. Taylor Visitors’ Center is under construction. The grand opening will take place in late summer and the final phase of work will be completed before the end of the year. Look for a classy, glassy interior with a cafe, much-expanded gift shop, education space, and auditorium.

The Booming Blossoms

There are more than 200 known species of Iris. One look at the flower beds and you’ll think have them all. The name Iris comes from the Greek goddess of Rainbows. Historically, the colors have meaning: yellow represents grace; white (love); purple (wisdom); and blue (hope and faith). The flower was portrayed centuries ago on the flag of French royalty as the fleur de lis.

The colorful Iris were in full bloom and currently the biggest attraction. But the hosta beds showed off their many sizes, shapes, and shades, as well. My favorite, year round, is the serene Japanese Garden. How therapeutic it would be to read a book while seated on one of the benches in a secluded cove overlooking a babbling brook.

Japanese Garden

Feeding the ducks and koi

Lucy cools her hands in the gentle brook.

The restful, flowery landscape in the Japanese Garden.

My favorite tree in the garden is near Henry Shaw’s house. Love the shape.

Splashes of color everywhere you look.

Thankfully, Henry Shaw still welcomes guests to his flowery preserve.

Hope Springs Eternal

This time of year I always get a hankerin’ to plant something. The urge caused me to stop at Bowood Farms Garden Center, when Cyndy and Lucy were in St. Louis recently. Picking plants is far more fun with friends to advise and encourage. And, certainly, far more fun than ordering from a garden catalog.

Our herb selections included a couple varieties of parsley and basil, a thyme plant, and a lovely bay tree. I think of them not just as plants, but my newest, little friends. Let’s hope they feel the same way about me.

“Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon ‘costs a lot to eat.'”

I fell in love with a 4′-5′ tall Meyer Lemon tree. It’s the brighter, sweeter, juicier, and more fragrant version of the variety we find in the produce section. (In the photo above, my lemon love is shown in the window on right.)

But the plants cost $210 a pot, for heaven’s sake! Hmm . . . maybe that’s not too bad considering the price of lemons these days. Even so, I decided to forgo the investment.

Coco learned to set plants in the ground, when she was quite young. Kids take to gardening because it involves dirt.

Let’s Root for Each Other

There’s an old adage that says the secret to a happy plant is having a gardener stand over it, sweetly whispering: “Grow!” Yes, everyone—plant or person—needs encouragement to grow.

Maybe I should have Lucy, the plant whisperer, give this a try. Perhaps she could say: “Jean told me to tell you to grow! Do you have any questions?”