Why Does Summer Smell so Good?

It’s funny how the scents of summer can be both nostalgic and comforting: the sweet smell of freshly cut grass, the warmth of the sun on an endless afternoon, the fragrance of a favorite flower.

To make the most of these last few weeks of summer, Focal Pointe Horticulturist, April Fierros, says memories are made in the details. Whether it’s the texture of tree bark, the vibrant color of a single blossom, or the moments that connect us more deeply with the landscapes we love, there is beauty everywhere.

April has a passion for gardens and a growing interest in the prairies and wildflowers of her native Missouri. She says when planning out your landscape, make sure you’ve got blooms that last from spring through fall, a good mix of color and fragrance, and use contrasting textures, shapes and patterns to make the other plants pop.

“I’m inspired by nature, by the people I meet, and the feeling I get when talking to clients. There are countless ways to create memories with landscapes.”

April has been bringing beauty and emotion to commercial landscapes for nearly twenty years. By training, she’s an agronomist with a degree in Soil Science from Missouri State University Springfield, and credits understanding how the system works below ground to appreciating the unique complexity of what grows above.

The Midwest as a whole is a pretty amazing place, botanically speaking, with vast natural beauty and landscapes that inspire millions of people.

What are your favorites? We’ve rounded up a few of ours.

The Elms Hotel pool area with flowers — The Elms Hotel & Spa Excelsior Springs, Kansas – Just one of the many landscapes April Fierros and her teams take care of to make sure the gardens at this luxury resort are vibrant and thriving all year long.

OU Med Oklahoma City – OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City is the only comprehensive academic hospital in the state and we’re grateful to Focal Pointe’s account manager, Michael Shatwell, and his team, for creating a beautiful healing environment and a welcoming space for the patients and their families, as well as the physicians and staff.

City Place St. Louis – Focal Pointe account manager, Peter Moynihan, oversees the beautiful landscape at the largest Class A campus in Metro St. Louis.

Washington University Ambulatory Cancer Center St. Louis – The green roof healing gardens at Wash U’s state-of-art ambulatory cancer center are a peaceful and sheltered space that provides a holistic approach to patient care. We’re proud to play a small part in the healing strategies of this world class university and medical center, and grateful to Focal Pointe account manager and horticulturist, Cody Azotea, and his team for carefully balancing the beauty of this elevated space with nature’s ability to improve well-being and the quality of life.

Delmar Gardens St. Louis – Focal Pointe account manager, Michael Alagna ensures that the showstopping landscape at Delmar Gardens, an exceptional corporate office in St Louis, are as exceptional as the community’s name.

St. Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium – Long-time Focal Pointe account manager, Craig Spihlman, and his landscaping team care of “baseball heaven” … Busch Stadium, home of the St Louis Cardinals – a vibrant, ever-changing and high-touch landscape due to its millions of visitors throughout the year. The project won a Gold Award of Excellence in 2022 from the National Association of Landscape Contractors.

Washington University Campus, St. Louis, Mo. Commencement – Washington University has long been known for its beautiful park-like green space. Focal Pointe account manager and horticulturist, Cody Azotea and our Wash U landscape services team, oversee a vast landscape and grounds planting and care strategy that continues to transform landscape performance campus-wide, including protecting Wash U’s iconic tree allies, maintaining plant and tree health at Wash U’s Tier III Arboretum, and significantly increasing the number of plants native to Missouri.

Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa & Convention Center, Branson Missouri – Focal Pointe account manager, Aaron Lorenz and his team from Focal Pointe’s Southwest Missouri branch, are responsible for making sure the lavish and well-maintained grounds and gardens at Chateau of the Lake not only offer wonderful spots for taking photos, but central to what makes this stunning destination property so special.

Meet April Fierros, horticulturist and account manager, Focal Pointe Kansas City, who recently celebrated 10 years beautifying our world.