Gnome Napping!

 It's always fun to find a surprise in the garden.  Today I found a gnome napping in the top of a staghorn fern!

The Pine Tree has died but Lives on!

The large pine tree has died.  The tree trimmers removed the dead branches but left about 30 feet of the trunk so that Mike could plant it with ferns, bromeliads, orchids and begonias.

The view from the front door looking up at the dead pine tree.

The tree trimmer used a bucket truck to access the tree and to cut it down piece by piece.

Three tree trimmer and his team worked quickly, removing the dead tree.

Mike Flaherty starts to work adding plants to the trunk.

There is a lot to look at as you walk down the steps.

I think it looks great

I think this Stag Horn fern looks great mounted on the tree trunk.

Missouri Botanical Garden

I have heard many great things about the Missouri Botanical Garden and they are all true!  I flew into St Louis for a short visit to Missouri and was able to spend a couple of hours in the garden.  It is one of the best botanical gardens I have ever seen and I recommend it highly.  Here is the front entrance and they were preparing for the Chinese Lantern Festival.

Missouri Botanical Garden Entrance with Chinese Lanterns, Dragon Pillars Gate

Dragons Embracing the Pillar in Latzer Fountain, Spoehrer Plaza

Dragon in Latzer Fountain, Spoehrer Plaza

I would like to go back to the garden at night and see the Chinese lanterns with the their lights on. 

Moonlit Pathway

Goddess Blessing Buddha

Lotus Flowers

Chihuly glass on top of the gate and Lotus lanterns in the garden

Double Seventh Festival

Climatron Conservatory and Four-Faced Buddha Lantern

The Climatron is the geodesic dome conservatory behind the four buddah lantern.  It is one of the best conservatories I have ever seen.  The interior is laid out very well with a single path that goes through out the conservatory.  There is a excellant collection of plants from the tropical rain forest.

Hibiscus

Bromeliads and Ferns

Chihuly Glass sculpture in Water Cabbages

Cycad

Begonias

Begonia

Begonia

Begonia

Ginger

Cycad

Heliconia

Staghorn Ferns, Bromeliads and Orchids

Poison Dart Frog

The Shoenberg Temperate House hugs the north side of the Climatron.

Shoenberg Temperate House

Shoenberg Temperate House

Shoenberg Temperate House

Assorted carniverous plants

S. leucophylla, Pitcher Plant

Looking down into another pitcher plant

A fine looking Corpse Plant.  Be sure to stick your nose into the bloom!

English Woodland Garden

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas

Blanke Boxwood Garden

Porcelain Dragon

The Garden’s Porcelain Dragon is created from tens of thousands of Chinese cooking utensils – bowls, spoons, bottles, wine cups and more, brought together through traditional handtying techniques.

Porcelain Dragon

Porcelain Dragon

Porcelain Dragon

Porcelain Dragon

Porcelain Dragon

Chihuly glass in the main entrance

I'm ready to go back to the Missouri Botanical Garden.  We were only there for a few hours before it closed.  I know that there is more to see.  Although we were there for only a short time, I'm glad we went.  I've spent more time in other botanical gardens and saw far less.  If you would like to learn more abou the Missouri Botanical Garden, click on the link below.
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/