Politics & Government

Plants on Lake Saint Louis Boulevard 'Islands' Chosen Carefully

City Arbotist/Horticulturalist Lorri Grueber describes the varieties and explains the choices.

At the May 2 work session, Alderman Kathy Schweikert said that she'd received comments, both good and bad, about the plantings in the "islands" in the middle of Lake Saint Louis Boulevard from Boulevard Park to the Meadows entrance.

The city issued a press release to address any concerns residents might have about the plants, and to explain why certain plants are chosen.

Four species of trees are planted in the islands:  Syringa reticulate (Japanese tree lilac), Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ (European hornbeam), Ginko biloba ‘Princeton Sentry’ (Gingko) and Zelcova serrata (Japanese zelcova).

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"When selecting the trees for this project, several factors had to be taken into consideration: salt tolerance, mature size, maintenance requirements and of course aesthetic appeal," Lorri Grueber, city arborist/horticulturalist said in the press release. "The gingko and zelcova trees are a member of the elm family but the species planted have ample space for the root systems and canopy."

"The two species of shrubs we used are Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ (Gro-Low sumac) and Conteneaster (rockspray cotoneaster). Both of these are hardy shrubs that stand up to most of the brutal conditions of the site. Cotoneaster can be susceptible to several insects such as spider mites, aphids and certain lacebugs."

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The Japanese tree lilac wears fragrant, creamy white flowers in June and displays fabulous fall color. All of them except the conteaster are pseudo-evergreen and a provide a mixture of greens during the summer.

Weeds are always an issue, Grueber said, and a pre-emergent is applied twice a year to keep them to a minimum.

Grueber encourages residents who have questions about the plantings in the Lake Saint Louis Boulevard islands, or on any city-owned properties, to contact her at lgrueber@lakesaintlouis.com or by the telephone at 636-625-7953.


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