Main Street Garden in Historic St. Charles
St. Charles, MO
Photos: Main Street Garden volunteers
Size: 4,000 square foot lot in an historic urban setting.
Year established: 2018
Year inducted: 2022
Category: Volunteer managed
Maintained by: Volunteers from Missouri Master Naturalist Confluence Chapter, as well as St. Charles County Master Gardeners
Entrance Fee: Free
Description: The garden, previously a vacant lot, is now an oasis consisting almost entirely of native plants, including a diverse mixture of forbs, vines, grasses and woody plants and a raingarden. The garden has both sun and shade, and interesting wildlife including snakes, turtles, butterflies, and bees are frequently spotted.
The garden is maintained with weekly workdays during the growing season (April – October) by volunteers from Missouri Master Naturalist Confluence Chapter, as well as St. Charles County Master Gardeners. Aggressive plants are controlled and monitored. Seedheads and stems are retained during the winter months to provide seeds for birds to eat and for stem-hibernating insects. No insecticides are applied to plantings. Mulch is used minimally for weed control and moisture retention.
What Makes this Garden Excellent:
The garden is in an historic district with shopping and dining, and is a destination for local visitors and out-of-town guests. An arbor has been constructed at the entrance to entice visitors, and a “free library” cabinet has been constructed and placed in the garden. There are benches for seating throughout.
The public visits the site frequently. In October, garden volunteers gather grasses, seedheads, and various dried forbs to create “Mother Nature” – whose presence attracts many visitors for photo ops.
Ten Great Native Plants to See Here:
Asarum canadense (Wild ginger)
Betula nigra (River birch)
Bignonia capreolata (Cross vine)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)
Hibiscus lasiocarpos (Rose mallow)
Iris virginica var. shrevei (Southern blue flag)
Packera obovata (Roundleaf groundsel)
Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle)
Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie dock)
Zizia aptera (Heartleaf golden alexanders)
Signage: A sign near the entrance indicates that the garden is maintained by Missouri Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners and lists organizations that have donated plants and organic material.
Accessibility: The site is accessible from the public sidewalk. An unpaved path leads through the garden.
Location:
524 South Main Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Coordinates:
38°46’37.8″N 90°28’59.5″W
38.77718, -90.4832
For More Information:
Martha Hessler (Marthaannhessler@gmail.com)