by Linda Wiggen Kraft
Lou D’Agrosa’s love of the outdoors and plants lead him to a horticulture degree from Mizzou and the opening in 1996 of Garden Heights Nursery in Richmond Heights. Lou’s passion, and his staff’s, is to help every homeowner bring beauty to the outdoor spaces of their home. A love for creating beautiful environments is apparent in this modern urban garden center that brings an up-to-date home like and family feel to its unique outdoor and indoor spaces.
Garden Heights Nursery’s outdoor spaces are filled from early spring to late fall with a large selection of blooming and growing plants. Many are locally grown and labeled as such. Organic vegetables and herbs are available. Native plants and Plants of Merit are a mainstay. The large selection of carefully chosen ornamental and edible annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees is constantly changing and enough for any garden needs.
Container plantings are a specialty. Colorful glazed ceramic pots that brighten any garden are seen throughout the garden center. Even in winter, a drive down Big Bend Blvd. and a glance at Garden Heights always lifts the spirits when the many colorful ceramic pots give the promise of spring.
A unique part of this garden center is the smooth pleasing flow from outdoor to interior spaces. Pathways and a patio outside are lined with bright garden pots, perennials, annuals, and small trees arranged to inspire what could be a garden scene at home. A brick wall is background to hanging planters and tall plants. The paths lead into welcoming indoor spaces. Step under the new metal awning and inside is a large new reclaimed rustic wood counter, crafted from 100 year old wood. Gifts by local crafts people and others are beautifully arranged. Seeds, gardening tools, fertilizers, soils and other garden needs are also inside. At the back is a small greenhouse with fountains, pots and year round plants. Inspirations for home gardens can be found in the rich combination of details, textures and colors: brick, stone, ceramic, metal, wood, foliage and blossoms.
Creating a beautiful garden requires more than buying the plants, pots and other garden items. It requires the help and knowledge of people who know how to make a garden succeed. Trained horticulturists and experienced gardeners are staff members. Some work year round and others come back every year during the growing season. There is a family feel amongst those who work here, which includes a few D’Agrosa family members. The extensive Garden Heights Nursery website (www.gardenheights.com) shares information about staff, their gardens, plants available, and lots of garden wisdom.
Visit Garden Heights Nursery for the plants, knowledge and inspiration needed for garden beauty and success. Garden Heights Nursery, 314 645-7333, 1605 S. Big Bend Blvd, Richmond Heights.