Protean Ventures, Inc.

Protean Ventures, Inc. Steve Kotsines with Protean Ventures is an independent landscape designer, consultant, and gardener. What is the Protean Gardening Philosophy?

Deep within each of us lies a garden, but you may long to make your garden real, to sit in it, walk in it, work in it, and possess it on your land. Steve can assist you to change your outer landscape to a sacred place, a place for rest or rejuvenation, a place for play or pleasure. His designs and services give your inward garden outward form, structure, and support. Steve designs and maintains ou

ter gardens that are the personal, creative expressions of your inner space, the intuitive self, the sacred psychic capacity of your soul. He provides you with the “how-to” to design your outer space, thereby providing you with a way to the “form”. This also connects you with your inner garden. But it is not only creating the outer form, it is also the act of gardening. By planting and tending gardens, we physically bring meaning and sense to your inner sacred space. Reconnecting with the earth moves you from your head. Steve assists you to personally define and tailor the “structure” and “support” required to maintain your outward garden. He can provide installation and maintenance services according to your needs.

Dallas Botanical Garden recently on a sunny December day.  It's wonderful to see how certain flowers can linger when the...
12/31/2024

Dallas Botanical Garden recently on a sunny December day. It's wonderful to see how certain flowers can linger when there hasn't been a strong cold spell - and the pansies and ornamental cabbages love it too! Note the tropicals - alocasias and canna lillies still flowering!

It's always fascinating to see how botanical gardens will flex and adapt to continuously attract and draw visitors - esp...
12/31/2024

It's always fascinating to see how botanical gardens will flex and adapt to continuously attract and draw visitors - especially beyond traditional horticulture. Here are some views of the "12 Days of Christmas Gazebos" - a collection of Victorian-embellished gazebos on the theme - currently on seasonal display at the Dallas Botanical Garden.

Had a great educational experience recently - at the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Cedar Rapids, Iowa - t...
07/10/2024

Had a great educational experience recently - at the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Cedar Rapids, Iowa - that I'd love to share with you. More info below and take a peak at the picture album.

First and most interesting were representative "mosaiculture displays" - defined as "the art of composing a motif, an image, a picture, or a sculpture using carefully selected and pruned plants. Techniques for creating moasicultures inlcude using welded frames, chicken wire, or fishing line to provide a frame work for the plants to grow on." This was a new one on me!

There was also a fun children's garden with "green roof playhouses" - both Hobbit and doll house Inspired. Also a great "cairn sculpture.

STL peeps, it's time to plant your banana trees! I'm starting with some already tall stalks!
04/28/2024

STL peeps, it's time to plant your banana trees! I'm starting with some already tall stalks!

STL Peeps:  What all of us impatient gardeners have been waiting for:  night-time temps consistently in the 50's!! Safe ...
04/26/2024

STL Peeps: What all of us impatient gardeners have been waiting for: night-time temps consistently in the 50's!!

Safe to bring your tropical houseplants out from inside and start planting your annals, etc.

Stunning display this year on the Doublefile Viburnum in our back lot.  Glad I got the pix before the storms came throug...
04/21/2024

Stunning display this year on the Doublefile Viburnum in our back lot. Glad I got the pix before the storms came through and knocked off all the blooms!

STL Peeps: I know that you all are as anxious as I am to get your tropical house plants outside and this weekend's abnor...
04/13/2024

STL Peeps: I know that you all are as anxious as I am to get your tropical house plants outside and this weekend's abnormally warm temperatures are just teasing us along!! However, the 10 day forecast is not good, particularly next weekend! Remember, we need nighttime temperatures consistently in the 50s to bring any tropicals out.

STL folks, if your tropical houseplants are still outside from summer and want to overwinter them, make sure to get them...
10/28/2023

STL folks, if your tropical houseplants are still outside from summer and want to overwinter them, make sure to get them inside this weekend while you are dodging raindrops! There will be a hard freeze early next week for multiple evenings in a row.

Water, water, water! When daytime temps hit triple digits with (or without) the heat index, water your patio containers ...
07/27/2023

Water, water, water!

When daytime temps hit triple digits with (or without) the heat index, water your patio containers and hanging baskets everyday with a deep soak, and keep your garden beds watered every other day.

Don't let your plants and all your hard work dry out!

05/16/23 - apologies for slow posting for my STL friends who like to know:  Banana Trees are in the ground!! This year I...
05/16/2023

05/16/23 - apologies for slow posting for my STL friends who like to know:

Banana Trees are in the ground!!

This year I am not only planting the normal stalks, but experimenting with Japanese Fiber Bananas (Musa basjoo) which are winter- hardy in STL, as well as some pink bananas (Musa veluntina) which I have grown from seed.

I'll let you know our progress!

Make a note!  From The Weather Channel Android App:
04/22/2023

Make a note!
From The Weather Channel Android App:

Parts of the middle of the country are expected to see freezing temperatures this weekend. The week ahead will be a chilly one for the eastern half of the country. - Videos from The Weather Channel | weather.com

04/22/23 - STL Peeps - frost advisory for overnight Saturday, cover your tender annuals and tropicals with sheets of you...
04/22/2023

04/22/23 - STL Peeps - frost advisory for overnight Saturday, cover your tender annuals and tropicals with sheets of you have any outside already!

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2331 S 12th Street
St. Louis, MO
63104

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