Missouri Botanical Garden: St. Louis, Missouri

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located in St. Louis, Missouri. The garden was started by Henry Shaw in 1849, who wanted to build one of the greatest pleasure gardens in St. Louis, Missouri. With advice from various botanists, Shaw was convinced to build a botanical garden instead. In 1859, Henry Shaw opened the botanical garden to the residents of St. Louis, Missouri. Shaw made sure the botanical garden was put into a charitable trust, so the garden would thrive and still be opened to the public for future generations. The botanical garden was personally overseen by Shaw up until his death in 1889. The Missouri Botanical Garden is now one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States and has become a National Historic Landmark.

The Japanese Strolling Garden on the grounds was opened in 1977. The garden is fourteen acres and is the largest type of Japanese garden in all of North America. The garden is home to numerous Bonsai trees, lotus, wisteria, Japanese black pine trees, Yoshino cherry trees and Japanese iris and many other types of Japanese plants and bushes. The many bridges crossing over the lake and small streams throughout the Japanese Strolling garden gives guests ample opportunity to see the many exotic species native to Japan.

The Climatron, a geodesic dome, is a greenhouse located in the Missouri Botanical Garden. The greenhouse was the first of its king built in 1960. The Climatron simulates a lowland tropical rainforest, and half of the plants in the greenhouse were collected in the field which gives them a high scientific research value. The greenhouse also contains many endangered plant species, and there are about 1,200 species of tropical plants represented in the Climatron.

The Children's Garden was first opened on the grounds in April of 2006. The interactive area teaches children the significance of plants in a balanced eco system. The garden brings botany and conservation to a learning level that children find fascinating. Children of all ages, love exploring the limestone cave, slide, and tree house located on the two acre area. The Children's Garden brings the wonders of plants and nature to life and provides a learning opportunity for children who visit the gardens.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is home to many festivals throughout the year. One of the most popular festivals, is the St. Louis Chinese Cultural Days. The festival is held during the month of May, every year. During the festival, visitors to the garden get the chance to learn about the Chinese culture. Traditional dances and music are the highlights, along with tea tasting in the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden. Visitors will learn about China's native plants and how they play a huge role in the Chinese culture.

The Missouri Botanical Garden has become a favorite place to visit in St. Louis, Missouri. Guests to the botanical garden will be enraptured by the fragrant smells of the flowering plants and lush landscapes. The educational and beautiful Missouri Botanical Garden is a wonderful site to explore while visiting St. Louis.