If you lack a green thumb but pine for a lush landscape, try one of these easy-going plants. SLHL asked local landscapers to share plants that are resilient.

What better way to cure cabin fever than to design next season’s garden and landscape plan? The Kemper Center for Home Gardening is a tremendous inspiration to both the budding gardener and seasoned pro. This eight-acre portion of the Missouri Botanical Garden features an 8,000-square-foot enclosed pavilion, which contains displays, a reference library, the Plant Doctor clinic, a classroom, indoor gardening displays, a monthly gardening-calendar display and much more.

There should be no mystery as to what inspires the stunning garden that surrounds Carol and Steve Higgins's Ladue home. The clues are everywhere.

In the colder, winter months indoor cacti bring a fresh breath of air to your home. The spiny plants require little care making them ideal for a sunny window space. We asked local landscapers to share their favorite cacti.

Easter Lily Cactus

“For months of colorful blossoms try the Easter Lily cactus. Large pink flowers burst out from the white spine-jeweled ribs of this cylinder-shaped cactus. It brings year-round beauty for containers indoors and out.” Ann Lapides, Sugar Creek Gardens.

A walk through the Shoenberg Temperate House is a lovely respite from the blustery St. Louis weather.  Dedicated in March 1990, the building replaced the 1913 Mediterranean House on a site just north of the Climatron® geodesic dome conservatory.  Boasting 8,900 square feet of space, it displays warm temperate-zone species requiring special protection from our St. Louis winters. The largest portion of the house features species from five widely separated regions of the world known for their “Mediterranean” climate, chiefly characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters.

Just approaching Dr. Deb Carlin’s front door is a treat. Stroll along the walk and you encounter a planter overflowing with greenery that looks just like a red-rubber boot. Step a few more feet and encounter a colorful glass bauble reflecting light. In the autumn watch for pumpkins and squash tucked in among the plants. At the festive front porch seasonal ribbons twine their way through the wrought-iron railings and pumpkins, squash and mums cascade down the steps.