Now Green Thumbs Can Be Even Greener
GatewayGardener
AFounded in 2005 by
Joyce Bruno & Robert Weaver
Publisher and Editor
Robert Weaver
Columnists
Ronda Anson
Master Gardener
Abby Lapides
Sugar Creek Gardens
Steffie Littlefield
Edg-Clif Winery
Samantha Zale Greenscape Gardens
Scott Woodbury Cacalia Nativee Garden Design
Printing: Breese Publishing, Breese, IL
The Gateway Gardener® is published 7 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
From the Editor
s a kid I wasn’t much into plants, but I do recall having a Venus fly trap for a very brief period. It succumbed to the same mistreatment likely handed to these carnivorous curiosities in the hands of children as carnival goldfish. Overfeeding and otherwise improper care. After all, to see the “trap” ensnare an unsuspecting fly or piece of ground beef was the whole point of having the plant, right? So, time and time again, the plant would be fed, or its snare triggers tickled to prompt the “snap” until the plant, exhausted and suffering from coronary blockages (if it were human), would have a heart attack and die, anthropomorphically speaking.
The St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society (SLCPS) exists to end the suffering of Venus fly traps and other carnivorous plants everywhere. Even higher minded than that, their members hope to introduce and educate the public to the joys that learning about and caring for this interesting class of plants can offer. To that end, they sponsor a Plant Show and Sale every summer. There, carnivorous plant lovers can share their favorite plants, judge them against the plants of other enthusiasts, and also evangelize
the pleasures carnivorous plants can pass along to gardeners yet to discover them. Jessica Ely, president of the SLCPS, provides a brief introduction to Venus and friends on page 12. And after this inspiration you can learn more and get carnivorous plants of your own June 21st at Missouri Botanical Garden.
I’ve had a lot more experience, though not necessarily more success, with a different class of plants: Vines. Of these creatures, some have introduced themselves to my garden and have mounted annual assaults on overtaking it. Ninety percent of the steps recorded on my Fitbit are not from my feet, but from my hands endlessly digging and pulling to check the spread of trumpet vine, autumn clematis, Virginia creeper,
English ivy, wintercreeper and vinca. Meanwhile my efforts to grow coral honeysuckle and climbing hydrangea have been mixed. After 10 years of training climbing hydrangea, it finally bloomed, then fell from the brick wall it loosely clung to. After planting coral honeysuckle, it survived the 1st year only to be entangled with autumn clematis and accidentally pulled out of the ground. (At least I got Fitbit credit for some steps!) But enough about garden atrocities. Abby Lapides gives us some vines worth troubling over on page 4.
Quickly, because I’ve rambled too much, Scott Woodruff begins our countdown to our 20th Anniversary celebration with the first 5 of his 20 favorite things about native plants on page 8. The other 15 will follow in our official anniversary issue in September. And on page 10, Samantha Zale gives us some summertime tips for making our houseplants happy and healthy. Enjoy, have a happy Summer, Happy Father’s Day, and…
Good Gardening!
Photo by Jessica Ely.
Pondering giving a Venus fly trap another try.
Vines Twisting and Twining Into Your Heart
By Abby Lapides
Add height to your garden or create narrow screens with vines. Learn more about some the best vines for the St. Louis area and where to plant them.
Vining Honeysuckle
Vining honeysuckles grow into showy dense vines perfect for large fences, arbors or trellises. Growing about 15’ tall they are ideal for larger spots in full to part sun. The Missouri native coral honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens attracts hummingbirds with its coral-pink tubular flowers. ‘Major Wheeler’ is a red cultivar that will repeat bloom. Another favorite, ‘Kintezy’s Ghost’ is a cultivar of the Missouri native grape honeysuckle, Lonicera reticulata, featuring silver bracts that practically glimmer in the dark.
Climbing Hydrangea and False Climbing Hydrangea With large lacey flowers and their vigorous nature, climbing hydrangeas Hydrangea petiolaris and false climbing hydrangeas Schizophragma hydrangeoides, are the ideal shade
• Spicebush
• Amsonia
• Witch Hazel
• Baptisia
• Serviceberry
• Liatris
• White Wood Aster
• Mountain Mint
• Fringe Tree
• Joe Pyeweed
And lots more to choose from…
Now opeN 7 days a week! Monday-Friday 9 to 5:30 saturday & sunday 9 to 4:00
‘Nelly Moser’
Abby Lapides
Coral Honeysuckle
Clematis
vines. These large and vigorous vines attach via fine root hairs, so they will climb up walls, trees and arbors – basically anything that’s not a slick surface. ‘Miranda’ is prized for its yellow and green variegated foliage. ‘Moonlight’ features leaves with a shimmery silver overlay that lighten up shady corners.
The queen of the vines, clematis are perfect for smaller trellises, along fences, or on arbors. Group 2 clematis bloom in spring and again in the fall. Group 3 bloom all summer. Plant a Group 2 and Group 3 together to get most of the growing season.
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.
‘Nelly Moser’ is a Group 2 clematis that can tolerate more shade typically. ‘Jackmanii Superba’ takes the major flower power of the classic ‘Jackmanii’ and adds larger flowers. The Missouri native Clematis crispa, swamp clematis features adorable pale purple bell-shaped flowers that bloom spring through summer.
Bignonia Cross Vine
Cross vines create delight with huge, fragrant, trumpet shaped flowers in spring and summer. Semi-evergreen, this is a great choice for a screen as it creates a dense cover most of the year.
cont’d on next page
Foliage turns deep crimson in the fall. Cross vines prefer sun but can grow even in deep shade. The Missouri native has yellow and pink bicolor flowers. ‘Tangerine Beauty’ features vibrant orange flowers.
Actinidia Hardy Kiwi Vine
For the urban gardener, enjoy kiwis. Yes kiwis! The hardy kiwi vine provides small green fruits that look like hairless miniatures of the kiwi we’re all familiar with. Taste is similar to the traditional kiwi, but is sweeter and can easily be eaten whole. Typically, these vines are dioecious, meaning they need a separate
male and female vine to create fruit, but the variety ‘Issai’ is self-pollinating so only one plant is needed. Vigorous, be sure to give these vines plenty of room to grow and give a hard prune as needed.
Give your vines a strong trellis or support system to give them their best chance to grow. Don’t be shy about pruning, most vines are vigorous growers and will need some taming. If unsure about pruning, ask your local garden center for tips.
Hardy Kiwi
Missouri
Garden
Spring Meadows
Climbing
Hydrangea
Naturally Natives
20 Things I Love About Native Plants: Part I
by Scott Woodbury
To help us celebrate our 20th Anniversary, Scott offered to write about the 20 things he loves about native plants. We’re going to tease you a bit with the 1st five offerings here, then wrap it up with the remaining 15 reasons in Part II, to appear in our official 20th Anniversary edition September Issue.-- Ed.
#1
During my first spring in Missouri (1992), I was picking up a load of native plants from Pan’s Garden near Mountain View, Missouri. Owners Angel and the late Tom Kruzen served me a memorable breakfast: pink mayapple jelly and biscuits, pancakes and maple syrup from local trees, and wild leek omelettes. I remember it like it was yesterday. Wild leeks (Allium tricoccum) are a delicacy that should be harvested only from plants grown in your backyard, because wild harvesting can be harmful to their populations and habitat. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery and Prairie Moon Nursery grow them from seed and sell them retail. They are easy to grow in shady gardens. Trim a small portion of the spring leaves (for your eggy delight) for the first
JILLIAN OAK Built for Resilience
‘Quercus x
‘Jillian Anne Young’ is a fast-growing native hybrid oak:
• Pyramidal shape
• Glossy green foliage turns red in fall
• Thrives in moist, well-drained soil
• One of FKN’s 39 RPM-produced oak species offering superior perfomance.
Mayapple plants in the spring produce tiny fruits (mayapples, of course!) that can be made into delicious jellies and jams.
few years, and when you have large enough plants, you can cook with the bulbs.
#2
I love fresh green plants pushing up through the ground in early spring. For me, this welcome sight marks the turning of the seasons and goodbye to the doldrums of winter. I became a horticulturist in April 1979. That spring, I noticed bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, not native) shooting up like asparagus, as if it were the first time a plant had emerged from its winter slumber. Ever since, I have been addicted to plants, especially native plants that quickly pop out of the ground, like wild indigo (Baptisia spp.) and hollow-stemmed Joe Pye (Eupatorium fistulosum).
Robert Weaver
Tips and Resources for Growing and Landscaping with Sustainable Native Plants
#3
Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) and sedges (Carex spp ) often exist in marginally maintained lawns, especially in shade. Seldom are these plants introduced, but they are woodland-remnant plants that have held on, from a time before European settlement. While to some the plants may signal a weedy lawns, to others, like me, they are delights of spring. They are most noticeable in early April when spring beauty is in bloom. Perfectly maintained lawns don’t have them, but “unimproved” lawns tend to harbor a few species. I recently consulted on a project that had five species of native sedges and common violet covering about 30% of the “weedy lawn” under a massive old sweet gum.
#4
There is a special something that comes from pine tree candles, the fast new growth at the end of pine branches in spring. It’s happening in my yard right now. Last year, my shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) grew 2 feet from three consecutive flushes of pine candles. Oak and hickory are similar, with their buds rapidly expanding in spring. This marks a good
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 aquatic and other native plants and services, native garden plans, educational programs, and much more at grownative.org.
time to go hunting for morel mushrooms. Shortleaf pines are fast-growing. They are tall and narrow, and fit into small urban spaces.
#5
New growth of short-leaf
I love flowers of American linden (also known as basswood) trees (Tilia americana), which bloom in late spring. I love their sweet fragrance, and how they are a magnet for bees during the day and moths by night. I especially enjoy gathering fresh flowers from a ladder, drying them, and later steeping them in hot (not boiling) water for a lovely herbal tea. Add dried strawberry or raspberry leaves for extra complexity and color. Other intensely fragrant tree flowers that I love to include in teas are honey locust and Kentucky coffee tree blossoms. Come back in September for 15 more things Scott loves about native plants as we celebrate 20 years of native plant information in The Gateway Gardener!
Missouri Wildflowers Nursery
9814 Pleasant Hill Rd Jefferson City MO 65109 www.mowildflowers.net mowldflrs@socket.net 573-496-3492, fax: 573-496-3003
Meet us at one of these locations in St. Louis. Give us your order at least 5 days before a sale, and we will bring it to the location.
Kirkwood Farmer’s Market, 150 East Argonne Dr. Kirkwood MO 63122. Give us your order by Tuesday before a sale, or pick from the selection at the market. June 1. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We’ll be back to the St. Louis area in September.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! for using native plants in your landscape. It makes a difference to the neighborhood ecosystem.
DAY TRIP! The Nursery is open year round at our Brazito location (address above), 9 to 5 weekdays, and weekends now through July 6, then Aug. 30 through Oct. 12.
At the Nursery only quart pots are $6.95 and small pots are $3.50, if you pick the plants.
Baptisia pushing through the spring soil.
Spring beauties in a suburban lawn.
pine candles.
Robert Weaver
Robert Weaver
Houseplants 101 Summer Plant Management for Happy Healthy Houseplants
by Samantha Zale
Summer is a time of growth and vibrancy for houseplants, but it’s also the season when pests thrive. Higher temperatures and increased humidity can create the perfect environment for unwanted visitors like spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, fungus gnats & scale. Knowing how to identify and manage these pests early can save your plants from damage and ensure they thrive throughout the season.
IdentIfyIng Common Houseplant pests
Spotting pest issues early is crucial for effective management. Here are the most common houseplant pests to look out for, especially in crevices & undersides of leaves:
1. Spider Mites: These tiny pests are often hard to see with the naked eye, but they leave behind fine webbing on plant leaves and stems. Yellowing or speckled leaves can also indicate their presence.
2. Aphids: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth and the undersides of leaves. They can be green, black, yellow or white and excrete a sticky substance called honeydew.
3. Mealybugs: These pests look like tiny cotton balls and
St. Louis Water Garden Society Tour
tend to hide in leaf joints or on undersides of leaves. They also produce honeydew, which can attract mold.
4. Fungus Gnats: These tiny, fruit fly-like gnats are often found near the soil. They thrive in moist environments and their larvae can damage plant roots.
5. Scale: These are small, immobile pests that appear as hard or waxy bumps on stems and leaves. They suck sap from plants, causing leaves to yellow and drop.
preventIng pest InfestatIons
Prevention is the best defense against pests. Adopt these practices to keep your houseplants pest free:
· Inspect New Plants: Quarantine any new plant for 1-2 weeks to check for pests before introducing it to your collection.
· Clean Your Plants: Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust and discourage pests from settling.
· Avoid Overwatering: Pests like fungus gnats thrive in damp soil. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings.
· Improve Air Circulation: Ensure good airflow around plants by spacing them apart and using fans, while still keeping air from directly hitting plants lowering available humidity.
· Use Quality Potting Mix: Sterilized or fresh potting mix reduces the likelihood of introducing pests.
managIng pests naturally
If you spot pests, act quickly to prevent the infestation from spreading. Here are some go-to remedies:
1. Neem Oil: Mix neem oil with water and a few drops of dish soap to create an effective spray. Ready-to-use neem oil sprays are also readily available. Apply it to leaves, stems and soil to deter pests.
2. Rubbing Alcohol: Dab mealy bugs and scale with a cotton swab soaked in a 70 % rubbing alcohol solution to kill them on contact. Scale may need a little more elbow grease to get off.
3. Soap Spray: Use a mild soap solution (2 teaspoons of dish soap per quart of water) to wash off aphids, spider
4. Sticky Traps: Place yellow sticky traps near plants to catch flying pests like fungus gnats.
5. Beneficial Insects: Such as praying mantis or lady bugs that can target pests such as aphids.
6. Chemical Treatments: Such as Mosquito Bits for fungus gnats. While not ideal, sometimes necessary if the infestation is severe. Look for products that are safe to use indoors and follow instructions carefully.
monItorIng and maIntenanCe
Regular monitoring is essential for keeping pests at bay. Inspect your plants weekly, paying close attention to new growth, undersides of leaves and the soil surface. Prune damaged or heavily infested leaves and dispose of them far from your plants. If your plants are outdoors for the summer, inspect them thoroughly before bringing them back inside in the fall. A simple rinse with a hose, spray with isopropyl/neem oil or a thorough wipe-down can remove many pests before they hitch a ride inside.
Summer pest management is all about vigilance, prevention and quick action. By keeping an eye on your houseplants and using these go-to remedies, you can protect your greenery from common pests. With proper care, your plants will continue to flourish, adding beauty and life to your home all season long. Be sure to visit your local garden center for help.
Happy Gardening!
The Weird and Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants
By Jessica Ely, St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society
From swampy bogs to sunny windowsills, carnivorous plants have adapted to thrive where others can’t—by turning the food chain upside down. They’re weird, wonderful, and surprisingly easy to grow. These fascinating species get most of their nutrients by trapping and digesting unsuspecting prey, usually insects. From pitfall traps to sticky leaves and snapping jaws, their carnivorous adaptations are fascinating. Found on nearly every continent, there’s a carnivorous plant for everyone—whether you’re dreaming of an outdoor bog garden or just want a quirky companion for your sunny
windowsill.
Probably the most iconic carnivorous plant is the Venus Flytrap, Dionaea muscipula. Native to North America—specifically North and South Carolina—the Flytrap thrives sitting in a tray of rainwater and basking in full sun. It can be overwintered in a garage or basement, or planted in deeper pots and left outdoors with a decent success rate.
Sarracenia, or North American pitcher plants, is another group of native carnivores. These striking plants grow from Florida all the way up through Canada and can be cultivated outdoors either in inground bogs or in large planters. There are a variety of shapes and colors, Sarracenia make a beautiful addition to any garden.
No outdoor space? No problem. There are excellent carnivorous options for indoor growers too.
Pinguicula, commonly known as butterworts, are great gnat eaters! Pinguicula are small plants with sticky, glistening leaves that act like flypaper. They have delicate blooms that resemble violets. Species like P. gigantea and P. moranensis thrive on bright, sunny windowsills, making them both attractive and functional houseplants. In fact, orchid growers often add a few butterworts to help control fungus gnats.
Another easy indoor option is Drosera capensis, a type of sundew. Known for its sparkling, dewy tentacles, D. capensis is tolerant,
Tree and shrub planting
Shrub removals
Left to right: Penguicula gigantea, Drosera capensis,a group of various Nephenes spp. and cultivars, and a mixture of Sarracenia spp.. Photos by Jessica Ely, except the Nephenes photo by Dr. Gregory Heck.
beginner-friendly, and doesn’t require dormancy. It thrives in a sunny, south-facing window and happily captures gnats and fruit flies.
No list of carnivorous plants is complete without Nepenthes tropical pitcher plants, sometimes called monkey cups. These fascinating plants produce elegant hanging or upright pitchers from tendrils extending off their leaves. Their shapes and colors range from sleek and slender to dramatically ornate. Beginner-friendly varieties like Nepenthes x ventrata and Nepenthes ‘Miranda’ are more forgiving of typical household conditions. With bright light and added humidity, they adapt well to indoor life. And since these tropical species don’t go dormant, they’re ideal for year-round growing.
Basic Rules foR caRnivoRous Plant caRe Water Matters
Most carnivorous plants are found in low-nutrient environments with soft, mineral-free water. Always use rainwater, distilled water, or water filtered through reverse osmosis. Tap water—especially if high in minerals—can kill your plant.
Soil Should Be Poor
These plants thrive in nutrient-poor soil. A typical mix is 50/50 peat moss and perlite or silica sand. Avoid any potting mix that contains fertilizer or compost—those can burn their sensitive roots.
Feeding Is Optional
Carnivorous plants photosynthesize like any other plant and often catch their own food. While feeding them small insects can promote growth, it’s not required. Avoid typical fertilizers as they can easily harm the plant. Maxsea can be diluted and used as a foliar fertilizer, or you can use something like dehydrated
bloodworms or fish food to feed the plants.
If you’d like to learn more or chat with fellow enthusiasts about the best carnivorous plant to start with, join us at our bimonthly meetings! It’s a great way to connect with local growers. Care sheets and our calendar are available on our website: https://www.stlcarnivores. org/
Don’t miss the St. Louis Carnivorous Society’s Annual Plant Show and Sale at the Missouri Botanical Garden on June 21st from 9am-5pm (unless sold out sooner). The Show includes an educational section and members on hand to answer questions.
Jessica Ely is president of the St Louis Carnivorous Plant Society and has been growing carnivorous plants since 2016. Particularly fond of the Venus Flytrap, she has learned and grown with help from local carnivorous plant growers through the SLCPS. She enjoys plants in general and likes spending time outside with family.
Upcoming Events
Meetings, Classes, Entertainment and More
Upcoming Events
S. Mason Rd. (Queeny Park East Entrance), St. Louis 63131. FREE. Pre-registration is required on the St. Louis County website at https:// tinyurl.com/yc3v3pfj or by calling 314-615-4386.
Sept. 6th
9am—Children’s Garden Club. The Power of Pollinators. FREE. Greenscape Gardens, 2832 Barrett Station Rd., Manchester, MO 63021. FREE. Pre-registration is required on the St. Louis County website at https:// tinyurl.com/yc3v3pfj or by calling 314-615-4386.
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 September issue is August 1st.
Fun For Kids
June 1st
9am—Children’s Garden Club. Chickens. FREE. Queeny Park – Nursery #1, 1675 S. Mason Rd. (Queeny Park East Entrance), St. Louis 63131. FREE. Pre-registration is required on the St. Louis County website at https://tinyurl.com/yc3v3pfj or by calling 314-615-4386.
August 2nd
9am—Children’s Garden Club. Summer Harvest. GC Nursery, 1675
Classes, Sales, Tours and More
Now through June 16th (Mondays) 9:30-Noon—Master Pollinator Steward Course. Help protect our bees, birds, and butterflies essential to our environment and food sources. Topics include Insects, Plant-pollinator interactions, Honeybees, Native Bees and Other Pollinators, Pollinators in Nature, Pollinators in Agriculture. Sessions are held virtually or in person at MU Extension Urban East Regional Office, 8225 Florissant Rd., St. Louis, Missouri 63121. Register at http:// muext.us/MPSSL or all 314-403-7410.
June 1st – 2nd
10am—30th Annual Town and Country Garden Tour The Garden Tour includes both a walking tour of gardens in downtown Historic Hermann and a driving tour to gardens
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.)
in the hills around Hermann. The $20 ticket price includes visits to at least five private gardens; Town gardens include a traditional foursquare garden, a distiller’s garden, a native plant cottage garden, a coffee lover’s retreat, and a large garden with lily and iris collections. Country gardens include an artists’ garden with a blooming prairie, an historic home with unique plantings and a native prairie, and a very large country garden with greenhouses and raised beds. Garden Tour visits may be spread over Saturday and Sunday. Tickets will be sold online before the tour at Eventeny and at Topiaries (138 E. 4th) in downtown Hermann during the tour from 10-4 on Saturday and 10-3 on Sunday. Gardens close at 5PM on Saturday and 4PM on Sunday. A map to the gardens will be provided starting on Saturday June 7th at 10am at the Topiaries ticket sale site; those who pre-purchase tickets will pick up the map at that time as well. The Hermann Garden Club’s website www.hermanngardentours. com provides up-to-date events, ticket prices, links to the online ticket sale site, contact numbers, and photographs of past tour gardens. Visit the FAQS page on the website for answers to all your questions. “Like” us on Facebook at “Hermann Garden Tours.”
June 7th
10am-4pm—Garden Vignettes: East Central District Garden Tour. Visit your choice of 10 ECD members’ gardens. Gardens are
located in Webster Groves, Sunset Hills, Town and Country, Fenton, Oakville and Mehlville. To purchase tickets, email Jackie Reynolds at: jreynolds452@ charter.net. $20/ea.
June 7th
10am—Gallon Jar Terrarium Design and build your own enclosed one gallon jar terrarium. $40. Sign up on the Events page at www. hillermann.com or call HoffmannHillermann Nursery at (636-2396729).
June 12th
6-8pm—Evening Concert in the Garden. Passiglia Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center, 1855 MO-109, Wildwood, MO 63038. (636) 4589202, passiglia@passiglia.com. Passiglia.com.
June 13th-14th
4-8pm Fri., 9am-1pm Sat—Secret Garden Tour 2025. There will be 6 lovely gardens available for viewing. Tickets $10 ea., children free. Available during tour hours at Lebanon Visitor’s Center, 221 W. St. Louis St., Lebanon, Il. 62254. More info at.gardencluboflebanon.org., or follow on Facebook.
June 14th
10am—Self-Watering Bog Garden. Create your own self-watering mini bog garden that includes a carnivorous plant. $30. Sign up on the Events page at www.hillermann.com or call Hoffmann-Hillermann Nursery at (636-239-6729).
June 21st
9am-5pm—St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society 2025 Annual Show and Sale. Missouri Botanical Garden. Open to the public unless sold out early. Proceeds go to organizations and preserves in the United States to help promote education and protect the habitat of carnivorous plants. We will have an educational section with show plants and members available to answer questions. The Orchid Society, MASI, and Gesneriad Society will all have sale tables as well.
June 21st-22nd
9am-5pm—Pond-O-Rama 25th Anniversary Water Garden Tour. The St. Louis Water Garden Society (SLWGS) celebrates 35 years bringing water garden enthusiasts together for education, community service, and resource sharing. The 2025 tour will feature 28 private water gardens owned and maintained by Society members, with each day featuring different gardens. This self-guided tour highlights water gardens located throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, arranged each day by geographic location, including many new and upgraded gardens, ponds and waterfalls. The full color ticket booklet contains host garden pictures, descriptions of the water features,
directions, accessibility, and a QR code to each location. Tickets covering both days of the tour are $25 each (18 and older) and will be available beginning in May at local retail shops and garden centers throughout the metropolitan area or on our website (https://slwgs. org). A special 2025 Discount: Groups of 5 or more are only $20 each. Please see the SLWGS website for more information.
June 22nd
Noon-4pm—New Town Garden Club Annual Garden Tour. Tickets
$15.00 the day of the tour. Start at 3328 Rue Royale St. in New Town, St. Charles.
June 28th
9am-5pm—25th Annual Kimmswick Day Lily Sale Sale to be held at the state inspected garden of Mr. Carrol Wrather, #6005 4th Street, Kimmswick, MO 63053.
Offering over 1200 freshly dug & bagged plants, featuring over 100 different varieties. This is a great opportunity to purchase new and older varieties not available in nurseries or garden centers. The sale often sells out, so be sure to arrive early for best selection. Early Bird Specials are in short supply. Proceeds benefit the Kimmswick Visitor Center. For
Henry Shaw Cactus & Succulent Society
Cactus & Succulent SALE
July 26-27, 2025
St. Louis, MO
information call (636) 464-6464.
June 28th-29th
9am-noon—Karen’s Garden Tour. Beautiful daylilies, hostas, hydrangeas, water feature and more. 2 Bridgers Pass Court, St. Peters, MO 63376.
July 17th
6-8pm—Evening Concert in the Garden. Passiglia Landscape, Nursery & Garden Center, 1855 MO-109, Wildwood, MO 63038. (636) 4589202, passiglia@passiglia.com. Passiglia.com.
July 26th-27th
9am-5pm Sat., 9am-4pm Sun.— Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Annual Cactus and Succulent Sale and Show. The HSCSS sale features multiple vendors for an incredible selection, from starter plants and popular succulents to rare specimen cacti. Great pots, too. And don’t miss the special display of succulents from around the world. FREE admission and FREE Kids Corner. Jost Event Center. I-170 Business Center, 8195 Lackland, 63114. Visit hscactus.org/ for more information.
• Buy awesome plants and pots at the LARGEST cactus and succulent event in the Midwest!
• BIG show features amazing and varied plants and art.
Jost Event Center 8195 Lackland Rd. 63114 In I-170 Business Center Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4
• FREE admission – FREE Kids Corner, too. http://hscactus.org
August 23rd
16th Annual Home Grown Farm Tour. Activities include Farmers Market, Vendors, Food Trucks and self-paced farm tours with maps (Free entry). Potosi Town Square, Potosi, MO 63664.The Harvest and Home marketplace takes place from 8amnoon. The Farm-of Field self-guided tours take place from noon-4. And a Field Dinner follows, featuring locally sourced ingredients served family style in a picturesque vineyard setting. Finally a benefit concert and silent auction can be enjoyed with purchase of a Field Dinner Ticket. Visit washcomochanber.com/farm-tour for more information.
