An Illustrated History |
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2000
The Strassenfest German Garden incorporates some of the native flora of Germany and central Europe, as well as plants hybridized or discovered by native Germans. The design is that of a woodland setting full of herbaceous perennials and biennials, as well as deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Included are sweeps of grasses, astilbes, ferns, columbine, yarrow and many other plants. Annuals are placed in broad areas to add color, including impatiens and geraniums, which are widely used in Germany. The woody plant material is mostly native to central Europe such as the Austrian pine, common boxwood, pontic azaleas, and linden trees. The artistic centerpiece for the garden is a bronze bust of Dr. George Engelmann, created by sculptor Paul Granlund as a tribute to the German native for his accomplishments and contributions to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Engelmann was a German physician who immigrated to St. Louis in the 1830s. He was a noted botanist and a principal advisor to Garden founder Henry Shaw. Engelmann instilled a strong scientific mission for the Garden, laying the foundation for the Garden’s world-renowned research program. Formally dedicated in July 2000, the Strassenfest German Garden was funded by a charitable donation from the St. Louis Strassenfest Corporation.
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