JB Design

07/29/2026

Many of you might remember the winter visit to the Buehrig Garden on Garden-Lou-proving the two-acre garden is outstanding any time of year! 😍 From majestic, mature conifers down to the smallest of hostas layered throughout the rolling terrain, there's color and structure in any season, but during daylily season...well, check it out yourself;

Bellerive Acres, Mo Long-time readers will remember the Winter visit to the Buehrig Garden after a light snow in 2022. A Winter Visit to the Garden of Bruce and Chick Buehrig – The magical snowy scene proved the two-acre garden in Bellerive Acres near UMSL’s campus is outstanding any time of yea...

07/24/2026

Learn why this golden dream tree is a golden nightmare on Garden-Lou.com;
https://garden-lou.com/july-anti-tree-of-the-month-golden-rain-tree/

Once upon a time, I came to visit my mother-in-law, and before I could make it to the front door, her neighbor ran out of her house, grabbed me by the hand, saying. “YOU’VE GOT TO SEE THIS TREE!” I was then kidnapped, and driven around the block, where we stopped in front of a mature, slightly...

07/24/2026

The well-behaved vine!

We have talked about some aggressive, problem vines on Garden-Lou: -Kudzu October Anti-Plant of the Month-Kudzu – -Trumpet creeper September Perennial of the Month-Trumpet Creeper – -Climbing hydrangea May Vine of the Month-Climbing Hydrangea – So how about a friendly, well-behaved vine for a ...

07/24/2026

Tired of those over-used yellow daylilies? Learn what daylilies to avoid, and where to get some unique colors and cultivars here;

Probably the most well-known perennial on the planet is the daylily, Hemerocallis spp, and cvs. And not only the most well-known, but one of the most-used and loved perennials. One look at the Daylily garden at MBG in full bloom will tell you why. The rainbow of available colors makes plant geeks ha...

07/19/2026

Shout out to Glen Carbon for a great tour this year!

The 2026 Madison County, IL Garden Tour showcased five gardens in a...

07/12/2026

So, I know I'm behind on the personal posting stuff...but for those of you who keep asking-YES, THE KITCHEN IS DONE! For those of you that have experienced the joys of kitchen remodeling or are currently enjoying the joy-I give you my favorite quote for all home projects=NOTHING EASY IS WORTH HAVING. Repeat, repeat, repeat...

07/07/2026

What do avid gardeners do when it's time to downsize, but you can't bear to leave all the trees and plants you nurtured and grew for years? Charlie and Patricia Hoffman moved out of the house and into the garden!

Lafayette Square, St. Louis, Mo It’s a dilemma that many people face as kids grow up and move out, leaving empty-nesters with a house that suddenly is too big. For avid gardeners, the thought of leaving trees and plants you’ve nurtured and watched grow for years is heartbreaking. So, when Pat an...

07/05/2026

Highlights from the 2026 Pond-O-Rama!

With 23 hosts over the two-day event, Pond-O-Rama is the cheery on top of the St. Louis garden tour season cake! There’s something for everyone on this tour where creativity and personality shine, providing plenty of inspiration and ideas to take home. Gardens and water features of every size are ...

06/26/2026

Another "ouchy" plant but at least this one has four-season interest and isn't invasive!

The name is deceiving; Washington hawthorns, Crataegus phaenopyrum, are not native to the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Their native range runs from Virginia to Missouri, Arkansas, and Alabama. (The common name is attributed to Washington DC) What’s also deceiving are those pretty, spring blooms in June...

06/26/2026

One word=OUCH!

OUCH! I’m not sure what is more painful, pruning and removing  mature barberries, or the fact that homeowners have been dealing with them for so many years when they didn’t have to. That quote about beauty comes with a price is evident in this case by the thorns…LOTS of them. They are sneaky ...