Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

MISSING

SEE LOCATION SECTION

How Does a Garden Sound?

Arts & Culture

— Bell Chimes Sculpture | Paolo Soleri, William C. Severson, Vernon Desmond Gross | bronze —

How Does a Garden Sound? Marker image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 26, 2023

1. How Does a Garden Sound? Marker

Inscription. The Bell Chimes sculpture was a collaborative effort by William C. Severson and Vernon Desmond Gross, both St. Louis sculptors. The idea for the piece came from Alan Godlewski, past Garden Director of Horticulture 1978 - 1988. He was inspired by the Soleri Bells, pieces of urban artwork created by Arizona artist Paolo Soleri, and wanted a supply a "a sound feature" as part of the Sensory Garden. The public is invited to gently ring them and sometimes, when no one is here, the wind plays them.

Erected by Missouri Botanical Garden.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1978.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 38° 36.886′ N, 90° 15.424′ W. Marker was in St. Louis, Missouri. It was in Missouri Botanical Garden. It could be reached from Shaw Boulevard west of Tower Grove Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 4344 Shaw Boulevard, Saint Louis MO 63110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: What's in our collection? (a few steps from this marker); Hosta of the Year

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Prince of Animal Modelers (within shouting distance of this marker); Engelmann and the Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Tree Peonies (within shouting distance of this marker); Cohen Court (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward L. Bakewell, Jr. Ottoman Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Last Rose of Summer (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

<i>The Bell Chimes</i> image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 26, 2023

2. The Bell Chimes

Photographed by Garrett Koch, April 25, 2026

3. How Does a Garden Sound? Marker

Marker was missing! The Bell Tree sculpture was still at this location but the little sign explaining how a garden sounds was not to be seen.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri.