Missouri Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden, botanical garden and research center in St. Louis, Missouri. Privately administered, the garden was established in 1859 by British-born entrepreneur Henry Shaw. It is spread across 79 acres (32 hectares) and is home to more than 51,000 plants. It is most notable for its Climatron, a geodesic-dome greenhouse in which 1,400 species of tropical plants are grown under computer-controlled conditions simulating a rainforest. The garden was designated a national historic landmark in 1976.

Notable gardens, plant collections, and conservatories

The Missouri Botanical Garden encompasses several gardens dedicated to showcasing the flora of distinct ecosystems and geographical areas. It has one of the largest traditional Japanese gardens in North America. The displays include a host of flowering cherry and plum trees, peonies, and sacred lotus plants. The Ottoman Garden highlights obscure gardening methods pioneered by the Ottomans between the 16th and 19th centuries. It maintains a variety of native or acclimatized Turkish plants, including Turkish tulips, citrus, and herbs. The flora in the Chinese Garden includes bamboo, wisteria, pines, and willows. These gardens also incorporate architectural motifs and structures—such as the scholar’s garden pavilion in the Chinese Garden, the taikobashi (drum bridge or arched bridge) in the Japanese Garden, and the çeşme (“fountain”) in the Ottoman Garden—unique to the geographical areas they represent.

A variety of species grows in the English Woodland Garden, such as oak and maple trees, hydrangeas, camellias, and wildflowers. Alpine flora (vegetation native to high-elevation areas) from around the world is displayed in the Bavarian Garden. Plants endemic to Germany and central Europe are exhibited in the German Garden. The herbarium, a facility that stores and displays collections of dried plants mounted on paper, contains about 7.5 million specimens, some dating from the 18th century.

Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.

SIGN UP

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

(Read Britannica’s essay “How Botanical Gardens Save Plants with Science.”)

The garden has three conservatories. The Climatron houses such tropical species as coffee, cacao, and coco de mer (also known as double coconut palm), which is currently endangered because of wood harvesting, logging, and anthropogenic and natural fires. The Linnean House has an orangery, various species of camellia, with some dating to the 1930s and 1940s, and pink jasmine vines and sweet olive (also known as sweet osmanthus) trees, both of which are known for their distinct aroma. The Shoenberg Arid House is dedicated to flora native to arid regions, such as succulents and cacti.

The Missouri Botanical Garden has been involved in the conservation of the rare Karomia gigas. The tree, which belongs to the mint (Lamiaceae) family, is a critically endangered species that is native to Tanzania and faces threats from habitat destruction, pest and fungal infections, and logging. The garden’s William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening is a learning and support hub for home gardeners. Twenty-three demonstration gardens—designed to illustrate gardening methods and plant varieties for educational purposes—surround the center. The Kemper Center also offers expert guidance from on-site gardening specialists. Also on the Missouri Botanical Garden’s premises are the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum, which displays rare arts and artifacts and hosts multidisciplinary exhibitions, and founder Henry Shaw’s country home.

The botanical garden also has two locations outside the city—the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Missouri, and the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield, Missouri. The garden’s periodical, Missouri Botanical Garden Bulletin, contains material of interest to the public. The garden’s botanical reference library is one of the world’s finest.

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.

SUBSCRIBE