If all goes according to plan, photographs of our condominium's front yard garden will be included in an upcoming "moon garden" feature in the Lifestyle section of The Post-Dispatch. Feature writer Amy Burger stopped by to scout out the garden at the suggestion of Ellen Barredo, chief horticultural expert at Bowood Farms. A few evenings later, Post photographer John White (above) came to take pictures. Predictably, the flowers looked so much better earlier in the summer, but isn't that always the way?
The garden design was the result of a collaboration between landscape designer Mary Morgan, who operates her business under the name "The Plot Thickens," and John McPheeters of Bowood Farms. The garden is laid out in a 5 x 12 grid. The resulting 60 squares are planted in a pattern that includes evergreen shrubs, annuals and perennials, or filled with black pebbles. The type and color of flower was left up to the three homeowners, and after three summers we've decided that our first choice was best, and we're sticking with a white palette.
Three years ago we planted all annuals. Happily, two of the four annuals, cleome and white salvia, turned out to be repeat bloomers. Late this spring I added the perennial white rudebekia in some of the squares. (As I look more closely at the picture above I see that the gazillion grasshoppers that have invaded the property also seem to love the new rudebekia.)
It's a given that the Post's John White's camera skills are superior to mine, but I thought you might be interested in an advance peek. By the way, another CWE "moon garden" is also scheduled to be included. It's the newly planted bed in front of Left Bank Books. Thanks to Alderman Lyda Krewson for arranging with Bowood Farms to turn what was a neglected tree well on the corner into one that finally looks like someone cares.
The Plot Thickens, (314) 518-4763. Bowood Farms, (314) 454-6868.
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