Since the 1880s, this historic train station has been a hub of activity in St. Louis, Missouri. The trains have been gone for decades, but the building has become a major attraction for tourists, featuring restaurants, mini golf, a hotel, and an aquarium. As leadership looked to the future, they sought to create a welcoming space that would retain its historic charm and be vibrant. To achieve those goals, they brought in Growing Green, based in St. Louis, to renovate and maintain this unique attraction. Their efforts led to a 2024 Gold Award of Excellence.
“We are honored to receive such an award,” says Heidi Clark, an exterior manager for Growing Green. “The team takes pride in their hard work at this historic landmark in St. Louis. It’s rewarding to be recognized on a national level.”
As the project began, the team used existing planters on the site. This gave them a blank canvas but also revealed some problems. One of the issues was poor soil, so Growing Green made improvements.
“We procured soil from a local business partner, and we are in the process of removing the old soil and replacing it with a nutrient-rich, raised bed mix,” Clark says. “This includes a large amount of compost.”
In addition to quality, the team is focused on preserving the environment.
“The planters are filled with peat alternative soil mixes to enhance the sustainability of the property,” Clark adds. “This includes cocoa coir, rice hulls, recycled paper, wood fiber, vermiculite, and perlite.”
The next issue was the irrigation system, which wasn’t performing efficiently. As the system ages, the team is working with an irrigation contractor to solve the problems.
“We turn to watering with manual sprinkler systems or hand watering with pump-powered tanks from our vehicles,” Clark says. “Soil probes are used to monitor the moisture levels in the beds. The soil structure in the old beds is mainly composed of native clay, and we aim to find a balance between the moisture level and the challenging soil structure.”
As people visit the site, they’re given a range of attractions to explore. To match the energy, the planters feature a bright color palette. When guests enter from the main parking lot, the front entrance is a sea of greenery.
Beyond this area, the planters are strategically placed across the site. In some spots, the planters create a natural fence between seating areas and walkways. Planters are also used as centerpieces in the main walking areas and at the entrance to businesses. Other parts of the property have in-ground beds that are focused on using natives, leading to a more naturalized look.
With the large volume of work, the team has two technicians who regularly visit the site.
“Both technicians spend a whole day working on-site, with a total of sixty-six visits per year,” says Ross Roth-Johnson, an exterior service manager. “By assigning two technicians, we can be more efficient and service time-sensitive areas quickly.”
The seasonal planters require extra care, so a bed maintenance team comes twice a month to focus on weeding and deadheading in the beds.
Foot traffic is a continuous challenge, so the team coordinates with management to work in specific areas before they open.
“If a hose is necessary, we attempt to complete that work first to avoid any potential tripping hazards,” Roth-Johnson says. “If a hose is still required during operating hours, we place cones along the hose’s path for guests’ safety.”
After the in-ground beds were planted, the technicians noticed other visitors on the site.
“Initially, we planted heuchera and quickly realized that the urban rabbit population was far greater than we had anticipated,” Roth-Johnson says. “The rabbits loved the heuchera!”
Since then, Growing Green has added plants that are less favored by wildlife. A few examples are Hydrangea, Liatris, Carex, and Eryngium (Rattlesnake Master). In certain beds, they also use a natural granular animal repellent.
Since taking on this project, the feedback has been positive across the board.
“Our client, Rich, and the guests continuously provide kind remarks on the plants around the property,” Roth-Johnson says. “We strive to think outside the box when selecting plants for each season, and Rich trusts us to find interesting and colorful plants that will thrive.”
Interested in participating in the Awards of Excellence? Be sure to enter your projects when entries open in early 2026.
