Another horticultural weekend

This past weekend I joined my hubby on one of his business trips (one of the "perks" of being unemployed). We went to St. Louis and my big plan was to go to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Inclement weather at first had me a bit worried about my plans so I put off going to the garden. But Saturday dawned clear and brisk so off I went. This botanical garden has been around for a very long time, initially being a country home and acreage of Henry Shaw back in the mid-1800's. Shaw was definitely into all things horticultural and eventually left his estate to the city. It was really an interesting place.

As you enter, to the left is a fenced in rose garden. Notice the arch in the background. It's topped with glass artwork by Dale Chihuly. I've always loved his work and have seen more and more of it in public gardens where I think it fits perfectly. The rose garden was full of mostly shrub roses and it looked like it was putting on its last show for the season.

And speaking of seasons, fall was definitely starting to show in St. Louis. This is a sassafras tree near the Victorian District (so named because Henry Shaw's home is located in this area).

There was a really large Japanese Garden as well. Or at least the lake it surrounded was large. Here you can see a bridge and some of the fall colors.

This little fountain was found near a quiet hard-to-get-to tea house. I found its simplicity beautiful.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is also home to the world's first geodesic dome. They house their tropical collection there (they call it an "indoor tropical rain forest"). It was probably one of the more interesting tropical greenhouses I've been in, with loads of different plants, water, birds, and of course, art work.

The art work was really cleverly placed. This piece, "Pouf serpent jaune" is by Niki de Saint Phalle.

And this is another piece by Dale Chihuly. It's called "Sunset Herons". I love the way it rises out of the pond, like a being from the swamp.

Alas, my time was too short there. I didn't have time to visit some of the plant collections, like the scented garden, nor spend any quality time in the Center for Home Gardening. If you're in the area, you should definitely make enough time for this great botanical garden.

In a few days I'm off to Austin. I wonder if I'll have yet another horticultural weekend? I'll be busy visiting friends and the Texas Book Festival but if I'm lucky, maybe I'll make it to Barton Springs Nursery and/or Gardens. Oh, and Boggy Creek Farm too!