Missouri Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in St. Louis that brings together plant collections, themed gardens and research facilities across roughly 32 hectares (79 acres). The grounds divide into several areas with greenhouses, flower beds, tree groupings and lawns connected by walkways and paths.

Henry Shaw founded this botanical garden in 1859 and equipped it with plants he collected during travels across Europe. The grounds have since expanded through donations and purchases while the institution has remained in continuous operation.

The name Seiwa-en means "garden of pure harmony" and visitors today can see stone lanterns, bridges and carefully placed rocks arranged according to principles that guide balance and flow. Koi swim in the ponds while maples and bamboo follow the contours of paths where people walk slowly to take in each element.

Children under 12 years old enter for free and visitors find complimentary parking on the grounds throughout the year. The best times to visit fall in spring and autumn when flowering plants show most clearly and temperatures stay comfortable for walking.

The Climatron is a geodesic greenhouse that stands without interior supports and maintains precise conditions for around 2,800 plants. Among them grow more than 1,400 tropical species that would not survive in Missouri without this controlled climate.

Location: St. Louis

Inception: 1859

Official opening: 1859

Website: http://missouribotanicalgarden.org

GPS coordinates: 38.61410,-90.25890

Latest update: December 17, 2025 09:36