Finding a Rainscape Garden in St. Louis

Several weeks ago, I came across a neat rainscape garden in the South Grand neighborhood south of Tower Grove Park.

Instead of a bare patch of grass, someone’s small front yard had been transformed into a multilayered garden including zinnias, daisies, cosmos, and milkweed. It added a lot of interest to my walk around the neighborhood, and I just had to stop to admire the flowers lining the sidewalk and watch monarch caterpillars munching away on milkweed leaves. A small sign indicated that the garden was funded by a small grant from MSD.

After doing some research, I found out that the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) provides grants in certain areas of St. Louis to create rainscape gardens. According to MSD’s Project Clear –

“Rainscaping reclaims stormwater naturally using simple techniques to manage and filter rainwater where it falls – the way nature intended. This can be done through any combination of plantings, water features, catch basins, and permeable pavement, among other activities.”

What a neat idea. If you’re in an eligible area and spending more time at home these days, creating a rainscape garden could beautify your neighborhood and help out the environment. If you’re interested, check out Project Clear’s website to find out more.

Either way, stumbling across this little gem certainly brightened my day. Now, let me brighten yours with a few closeups of the garden. Until next time folks, keep on exploring.

Flowers & Weeds, a Cherokee Street Gem

This past weekend, my friend Melissa and I checked out Cherokee Street for the very first time.

Located in South City, this historic shopping district stretches for blocks and overflows with antique stores, boutiques, and also duly noted, an abundance of Mexican restaurants. Since it was late afternoon, we cruised the length of the famed street and decided to stop in at one place in particular – Flowers & Weeds.

The shop bills itself as a “floral studio, urban flower grower, and greenhouse.” And it thoroughly lived up to those expectations.

The entrance was flanked by antique carts laden with flowers. As we stepped inside, the interior opened up like a Pinterest-lover’s dream. Neat stacks of patterned pots; rows upon rows of succulents and small cacti; figurines and other treasures hidden among planters and terrariums; dressers spilling over with greenery. Everywhere I looked was inspiration overload.

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We wandered around until just before closing time, taking in everything from the table full of air plants to the terrarium-making station to a cat curled up in what I imagine must be its favorite spot. Within the next several weeks, the outside of the greenhouse will also fill in with an abundance of annuals, perennials, vegetables, and other plants, as area St. Louisans gear up for gardening season.

In honor of it being the first week of spring, I just wanted to share some photographs of this lovely shop and inspire your inner green thumb. Take a look (click any photo to scroll through a gallery), and head on over to check it out for yourself in person! You won’t regret it.

 

Know Before You Go

Address: 3201 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118

Hours: Open Tuesday – Sunday

Website: www.flowersandweeds.com

Why I Look Forward to Going Back: I can’t wait to return for a girls’ outing to make our very own terrariums! No appointment needed – just stop by during business hours, and they’ll set you up at a workstation at the rear of the shop. You can bring your own container or use one of the beautiful vessels available there.

Fun Fact: Flowers & Weeds is a completely women-owned and run business. Check out this video, where you can meet the owner and see her in action.