...Creeping Phlox. Personally, I love it. Great color, wonderful texture. Though the gorgeous blooms come and go as quickly as the Spring does here in St. Louis, Phlox provides brilliant Spring color and a nice, thick bed of ground cover for the rest of the growing season. That being said, many people hate Creeping Phlox. H A T E. There are forums all over the Internet cursing creeping phlox and terming it a weed for the ability to overtake the garden and lackluster looks once the blooms brown up in early summer. Simply, these complainers are not using the plant properly.
Just as one wouldn't consider building their garden around other short term flowering perennial plants like tulips and daffodils, one shouldn't consider building their garden around phlox either. It is an aggressive ground cover, and true to it's name... it creeps. A LOT. In addition, once the blooms are gone, as is much of the beauty of Phlox.
Creeping Phlox is best used as an accent plant. Period. If plans are to use it in mass quantity for a HUGE punch of Spring color, the BEST use is in a small contained bed a top a retaining wall, where it has the room to show off the brilliant color and the amazing ability to quickly "creep" ...
It is also lovely when dispersed in rock gardens, for a little punch of Spring color.... 
These usages tend to show off the plant the best, as once the blooms are lost (and the Phlox is pruned), it provides a hearty bed filler the rest of the growing season. Avoid the most COMMON misuse of Creeping Phlox... 
Sidewalk border= BAD idea! That is, unless you don't mind your sidewalk eventually disappearing?! ;) Ha! Instead, use it in little nooks of the garden, where the ability to creep and overtake is a visual asset, not a liability...
The Best of Missouri Market features the area's finest food producers and artisans. This Missouri Botanical Garden signature event draws an annual attendance of 25,000 people over the two-day Market
In the Shaw Neighborhood just east of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, this annual Art and Craft fair highlights the work of 135 artists.
The award-winning Taste of St. Louis is a celebration of the best food, art music and culture our great city has to offer. There is something for everyone at the event, as the array of activities and participants continues to grow each year. 300,000 patrons enjoyed Taste last year.
The St. Louis Artists’ Guild and ArtDimensions of St. Louis are collaborating once again to bring you the ArtDTour of St. Louis this year. This is an exciting night of art appreciation, featuring bus and shuttle tours that start at the Saint Louis Art Museum and go to Art Museums and Galleries in the St. Louis metro area.
A few pics from our visit last year. An annual event celebrating the tradition of German Gemutlichkeit (hospitality). In October 2010 you will find a traditional German Festival with a real family friendly feel. You’ll find a wide assortment of delicious Food and Beverages, Traditional German Music on Two separate stages, Carnival Rides, Game Booths, Arts & Crafts Booths, (Artists, Painters, & much more), along with an expanded CHILDREN’S VILLAGE (Playland, Storytellers & Juggler
I love to garden. Period.
I know. Evil, evil, evil. Regardless, this is where my friendly tip comes in:
Veggie Pharm is an all natural and biodegradable insecticide made from certified organic peppermint oil, garlic, cottonseed oil, rosemary and carrot juice. It is safe for humans, plants, pets... just not beetles and their pesky counterparts.
A celebration of the best food, art music and culture St. Louis has to offer. There is something for everyone at the Taste, including the International Village, Celebrity Chef appearances, and bigger and better versions of the Taste favorites: Sauce Magazine's Restaurant Row, the News Channel 5 Top Chef Competition, The Bud Light Tasty Band Competition and national acts on the U.S. Bank Main Stage, The Art Dimensions Village, The Charter Marketplace, and The Family Entertainment Stage. 300,000 patrons attended last year's event! This year's event takes place downtown with plenty of free parking, a beautiful park atmosphere, and a great view of the Arch.
DATES & TIMES:
The 18th annual Best of Missouri Market returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden this weekend, featuring more than 145 Missouri food producers, artisans, and vendors. The event offers fun for all ages and an outstanding selection of unique products, baked goods, and locally-grown fresh and dried flowers and herbs. More than 25,000 visitors will enjoy musical performances as they shop for handcrafted items, baskets, wooden toys, custom jewelry, and other specialty items. A wide array of children's activities will also be available in the Kid's Corner.
This festival provides an opportunity to sample from more than 200 wines from around the world. Learn about new and exciting varieties from the experts in a relaxed festival setting. Wine seminars and cooking demonstrations are conducted by event sponsors, exhibiting wineries, area chefs and restaurateurs. Enjoy food from some of the St. Louis area’s finest restaurants and caterers. Local musical talent will perform live each day.
