It works so well, she adds, because it is so unexpected. "It's magical. You don't expect to see glass art in the garden."

Kerkemeyer likes to think of it as Willy Wonka meets Indiana Jones. "Just as Willy and Indiana are two separate entities that you wouldn't think of putting together, glass and garden are separate mediums, separate ideas. They shouldn't work together this well. But they do. It's just fun."

Chihuly has developed a garden-glass vocabulary to describe his various pieces. There are, for example:

• Persians: With fluted edges, curving forms and jewel-like colors, they are often displayed in overhead groups.

• Nijima Floats: These large glass spheres remind Chihuly of the fishing floats he used to find as a boy growing up in the Pacific Northwest. They are named for an island in Japan that is home to a famous glass center.

• Walla Walla Onions: With pointed tips and shapes resembling their namesake, these colorful glass pieces float on the reflecting pools.

• Ikebana: Named after the traditional art of Japanese flower arranging, they usually have a vessel and several stems.

• Macchia: These ruffled bowls are named after the Italian word for "spotted" and are a result of Chihuly's desire to use as much color as possible in many different combinations.

• Herons: Shaped to resemble the shore birds.

• Urchins: With large centers and tiny radiating petals, they have a whimsical look.

• Green Trumpets: With large, open bowls on tall stems, they resemble both flower and musical instrument.

In addition, Chihuly has created garden grass, reeds, ferns, pods, palms and "flori" (the Italian word for flowers, which he applies to numerous creations in this exhibit) of all shapes and sizes and more — all of them brightly colored, imaginative and attention-getting. His one nonglass creation is a collection of Polyvitro Crystals, made from a polyurethane material that allows for a large, hollow shape. They are a perfect complement to a fountain of cascading water.

The Missouri Botanical Garden has long been an attraction in St. Louis. Founded in 1859 by botanist and philanthropist Henry Shaw, it is a 79-acre oasis in the south part of the city.