The Missouri Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located at 4344 Shaw Boulevard in St. Louis, Missouri. It is also known informally as Shaw’s Garden for founder and philanthropist Henry Shaw. Its herbarium, with more than 6.6 million specimens, is the second-largest in North America, behind that of the New York Botanical Garden. The Index Herbariorum code assigned to the herbarium is MO and it is used when citing housed specimens.
The land that is currently the Missouri Botanical Garden was previously the land of businessman Henry Shaw. In June 2020, the Missouri Botanical Garden shared a Facebook post with the names of some of the enslaved people who worked there while being owned by Shaw: Peach, Juliette, Bridgette, Joseph, Jim, Sarah, Tabitha, and her daughter Sarah, Ester and her children. Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The garden is a center for botanical research and science education of international repute, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis, with 79 acres (32 ha) of horticultural display. It includes a 14-acre (5.7 ha) Japanese strolling garden named Seiwa-en; the Climatron geodesic dome conservatory; a children’s garden, including a pioneer village; a playground; a fountain area and a water locking system, somewhat similar to the locking system at the Panama Canal; an Osage camp; and Henry Shaw’s original 1850 estate home. It is adjacent to Tower Grove Park, another of Shaw’s legacies. For part of 2006, the Missouri Botanical Garden featured “Glass in the Garden”, with glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly placed throughout the garden. Four pieces were purchased to remain at the gardens. A1 Bed Bug Exterminator St. Louis
Cultural Festivals
A garden is a place for many annual cultural festivals, such as the Japanese Festival and the Chinese Culture Days by the St. Louis Chinese Culture Days Committee. During this time, there are showcases of the culture’s Botanics as well as cultural arts, crafts, music, and food. The Japanese Festival features sumo wrestling, taiko drumming, koma-mawashi top spinning, and kimono fashion shows. The garden is known for its bonsai growing, which can be seen all year round but is highlighted during multiple Asian festivals.
Restaurants and Pubs
- Sauce on the Side is located at 4261 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO
- Nick’s Pub is located at 6001 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO
- Rosie’s Place is located at 4573 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, MO
Check out other attractions like St. Louis Zoo
