‘GARDENLAND
EXPRESS’ BRINGS HOLIDAY CHEER OF YESTERYEAR
TO THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
Annual Flower and Train Show Open Nov. 26 through
Jan. 4, 2009
Experience one of St. Louis’s beloved holiday traditions
when the “Gardenland Express” flower and train
show chugs to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Eight G scale
model trains traverse a mountainous landscape through
detailed winter scenes in miniature. Colorful poinsettias
and flowering plants highlight the seasonal display. Open
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Wednesday, Nov. 26 through
Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009 (closed Dec. 25).
The cozy comfort of a lobby fireplace welcomes visitors
to the 5,000-square-foot Orthwein Floral Display Hall.
Inside, model trains circle snow-capped mountains along
1,500 feet of elevated railway tracks. An animated gondola
lifts tiny passengers to a mountaintop as a dozen mini-skiers
soar with ease down a glistening, five-foot-tall slope.
Speed and figure skaters whirl in circles and figure eights
across the icy reflection of a frozen pond. Residents
of an intricately-detailed village stroll through the
winter wonderland to do their holiday shopping and visit
at the town hall. Nearby, mini-entertainers raise the
spirits of troops in uniform, reminiscent of the opening
scene of the holiday classic, “White Christmas.”
Giant snowflakes suspended in mid-air glisten above the
von Trapp Family Lodge of Vermont, shrunken to scale and
decked in holiday finery. Covered bridges dot the living
landscape of dwarf conifers, succulents and moss.
A winding toy train inside a frosty store front window
invites a nostalgic glimpse at the holidays of yesteryear.
Large adorned wreaths and Norman Rockwell artwork decks
the walls.
The “wintery” setting is enhanced by ribbons
of potted poinsettias and blooming plants. Snow-colored
poinsettia cultivars ‘Eggnog,’ ‘Classic
White,’ and ‘Snow Cap’ are complimented
by numerous miniatures in blue hues. Pink cyclamen, kalanchoe,
and begonias color the living display with a rosy-cheek
blush. Helichrysum thianschanicum ‘Icicles,’
Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost,’ Pelargonium ‘Charming
Snow Flurry,’ Kalanchoe ‘Snowden’ and
more add a chilly charm to the landscape. Ficus trees
adorned with twinkling lights complete the scene.
Horticulture staff and volunteers work diligently year-round
to create the seasonal spectacle. In keeping with the
Garden’s focus on sustainability, several models
are adapted and re-created each year to suit current show
themes.
“We created our vintage store front
window in this show using pieces of a previous Orchid
Show conservatory,” said Pat Scace, floral display
designer. “Our Belton Chalet from last year’s
Gardenland Express show has an architecturally Swiss influence
that has been modified and works well for this year’s
von Trapp Family Lodge. It’s fun to be creative
and explore alternatives uses of items from year to year,
while still keeping a fresh look with each new display.”
Starting in early November, catch a glimpse of the railroad
garden installation in progress at www.mobot.org/hort.
Click on “Activities and Events.”
“Gardenland
Express” is sponsored by CBIZ & Mayer Hoffman
McCann P.C., Central States Coca-Cola Bottling Company,
The Container Store, Hobby Station, and Miss Marian L.
Herr.
“Gardenland Express” admission
is $3 for ages three and up, in addition to general Garden
admission (adults $2-$8; free for children age 12 and
under). Garden members are free.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw
Blvd. in south St. Louis, easily accessible from Interstate
44 and less than 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis.
For more information, visit www.mobot.org
or call the recorded event hotline at (314) 577 9400 or
toll-free 1 (800) 642-8842.
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