If there was a national gardening organization meeting in St. Louis during the past 25 years, chances are they made a visit to the stunning, two-acre hillside garden of Chick and Bruce Buehrig in Bellerive Acres. Be the groups favoring hostas, daylilies, daffodils, Japanese iris, conifers, perennials or just gardening in general, the Buehrigs have shared their plants and their knowledge of how to grow them with those visiting St. Louis. They have been equally generous with local garden clubs and community organizations.

When you’re losing half of your body weight in sweat at the height of the summer, a patio season that lasts forever is probably low on your list of hopes and dreams. But when the chill and snap of fall and winter blow in, there’s nothing better than the crackle and pop of a warm fire to bring outdoor appeal to long, dark nights on the deck.