Just got back from a trip to St. Louis. Went to my favorite plant place in that area, the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Got to relax in the Japanese Garden, and saw many wonderful plants. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.

There may be a new type of bamboo growing in the climatron greenhouse. A small grove of Bambusa vulgaris vitata was putting up some impressive blue shoots! I couldn't believe it. There were also some other very strange looking items in that place.

<img src="http://xs100.xs.to/xs100/06191/bluebamboo.jpg" title="Free image hosting powered by xs.to">

The famous glass blower Chihuly is putting on a display of "Glass in the Garden" at MBG. Very spectacular work. Some of the pieces blend in very well with the natural settings, while others look gaudy and out of place, almost alien. Here are some others:

<img src="http://xs100.xs.to/xs100/06191/redorange.jpg" title="Free image hosting powered by xs.to">
<img src="http://xs100.xs.to/xs100/06191/pitchers.jpg" title="Free image hosting powered by xs.to">
<img src="http://xs100.xs.to/xs100/06191/greenthings.jpg" title="Free image hosting powered by xs.to">
<img src="http://xs300.xs.to/xs300/06191/tentaclefall.jpg" title="Free image hosting powered by xs.to">

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Interesting photos. Although when I looked at that first photo I thought you were at Tyty

Bill, you beat me to the punch. TYTY.. Kentuck use to take frequent road trips there

The blue bamboo needs some nodes so it will blend in better.

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--Mike

Cool! Were these photos from the little island? When I was there at the MBG a couple years ago it was reserved for a private function so I didn't get to see that part. It was a great experience. Even in March. Can't wait to go back.

Actually, Im seeing now that it must have been in the dome thingy. And that's not a temperate bamboo. Hello! I'm awake.

Okay. And now I see you made reference to a special exhibit. I think my mind went straight back to my visit as soon as I read "Missouri Botanical Gardens". Considering I was in St. Louis for a double interment of family cremains, it was a lot to think about.

Hoe_NC, Sorry to hear that your recolections of St. Louis has sad memories. I suppose you were referring to the island in the lake in the Japanese Garden. That area is usually off limits to the public. I hear that it has been blessed or designated sacred or something by a religion from Japan and access is limited. Even if you get to the island for a special function, no photographs are allowed on the island.
The Climatron is the domey Buckminsterfullerene-type thingy where the large tropical plants are grown. Most of the Chihuly exhibits were in it so they could control access and charge money in addition to the regular garden addmission. Then as people exit the exhibit they are blasted with all things Chihuly for sale at very expensive prices.
I wonder if Chihuly has been the inspiration for some of the artificially colored bamboo in TYTY's ads? Maybe I could sell that photo to TYTY for their next ad campaign.

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Chihuly's works are never subtle.

Great Pics!