Missouri Botanical Gardens

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a center for botanical research, within the John S. Lehmann Research Building. It's science education is known internationally. There are 79 acres of horticulture display, including glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly and sculptures by the French artist, Niki de Saint Phalle located throughout the Gardens.

The Shoenberg Temperate House was dedicated in March 1990 after almost two years of construction, replacing the 1913 Mediterranean House. It's 8,900 square feet of space, emphasizes displays of warm temperate-zone species requiring special protection from St. Louis winters. The largest portion of the house features species from five widely separated regions of the world known for their “Mediterranean” climate, chiefly characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters: coastal California, the central coast of Chile, the Mediterranean Sea basin, the Cape region of South Africa, and southern and southwestern Australia. Another portion of the Temperate House features plants found in the southeastern United States and the warm, temperate areas of Japan, China and Korea.

Lopata Azalea/Rhododendron Garden features azaleas, rhododendron species and cultivars, magnolia hybrids and hardy shade-tolerant companion plants beneath a high canopy of native trees. An enchanting garden throughout the year, flowering peaks in late April and fall color peaks in late October.

Boxwood Garden/Blanke Boxwood Garden: the elegant beauty of boxwood has been valued in gardens for thousands of years; from the 'pleasure gardens' of ancient Persia, to the landscapes of Greece and Rome, to the formal gardens of Europe. Boxwood gives shape, structure and evergreen foliage to any garden setting.

Samuels Bulb Garden and Heckman Bulb Garden delight us from late February through early November, flowering bulbs and bulbous plants display their brilliance in rolling, brick-lined beds among companion shrubbery, flowering trees and annuals. During spring peak, tens of thousands of bulbs representing dozens of different perennial genera bloom in a world-class display. Throughout the summer, many species of tropical bulbs are added, carrying the flowering display through late fall.

The Lehmann House Bed and Breakfast namesake is The Lehmann Rose Garden which contain historic cultivars, miniature roses, modern hybrid tea, floribunda and shrub roses, and test roses. A gazebo with a fountain and small pool can be found near the south end of the garden.

Toward the center, the bubbling Kerchival Fountain entertains visitors. The dramatic Shapleigh Fountain at the north end of the garden is a favorite among children.

There are dozens of various specialized gardens within the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Peak season of bloom is early summer and autumn.

Tickets must be purchased to attend the Gardens. It's recommended that you make reservations, but walk-ins are allowed.

The Gardens are open, Tuesday–Sunday, 9a–5p. Last entry is at 4:30p.