Missouri Gardener's Guide

Mike Miller is a native St. Louisan who spent his early years living in the shadows of the Missouri Botanical Garden. His family moved out into the rural suburbs, where exploring and observing woods, meadows, hills, streams, and wildlife became a favorite past time. After serving four years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, he studied botany, horticulture, and landscape design at the University of California. In 1977 Mike was selected to join the Missouri Botanical Garden horticulture staff. During his five-year tenure Mike obtained the Missouri State Pesticide license for Ornamentals, Turf, and Aquatic Environments, and also began teaching in the Garden's ever-popular evening series and continues to do so today. Mike's professional career includes four years as General Manager of a retail garden center. He became a Missouri State Certified Nurseryman, was co-founder of a predatory insect store, and served seven years as a faculty member of the Horticultural Department at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. Mike has participated in programs sponsored by Powell Gardens of Kansas City, the Missouri State Department of Natural Resources, the Landscape and Nurseymen's Association of Greater St. Louis, and the University of Illinois Extension Service. His garden articles have been featured in local and regional newspapers and magazines. Mike's voice has been heard for ten years hosting the KMOX "Garden Hotline." In 1998 Mike Miller Designs, a landscape design and consulting firm, was established. Later that year Mike and Tracy Ann began hosting Holiday Vacations tour groups giving an opportunity to see and learn how gardeners design, care for, and maintain plants, many similar to those of Missouri's gardens. Mike holds memberships on several citizen and advisory board panels, including St. Louis' Operation Brightside, a privately funded beautification organization. As an epileptic Mike also sits on the board of directors for the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater St. Louis.Miller, Mike is the author of 'Missouri Gardener's Guide', published 2005 under ISBN 9781591861157 and ISBN 1591861152.