October 24, 2020 - Missouri Botanical Gardens

We left Cahokia and headed over to the Missiouri Botanical Gardens which is on the west side of St. Louis.  I could immediately tell that the Botanical Gardens is a big deal in St. Louis and the city is proud of it.

It is also known informally as Shaw's Garden for founder and philanthropist Henry Shaw.  Henry Shaw (July 24, 1800 in Sheffield, England – August 25, 1889 in St. Louis, Missouri) was a businessman, amateur botanist, and slave owner in St. Louis when it was a gateway city to the West. His businesses supplied residents, pioneers and others. Having made his fortune, he was able to retire at age 40, pursue his interest in botany, and used much of his fortune in philanthropy.

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 first thing we saw was the Climatron greenhouse which simulates the climate of a rainforest.  Build in 1960, it was the world's first geodesic dome greenhouse.

 
   
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 of horticultural display. It includes a 14-acre 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.
 
 
   
A few of the approximately 1,500 plants in the Climatron.
   
One of the world's great plants:  the Cacao plant.  You may know it better as the plant chocolate comes from.
   
Giant bamboo.
   
 
   
 
   
Halloween is next week.
   
 
   
Then we came to Seiwa-en, the largest Japanese garden in North America, which totally blew us away -- incredibly beautiful at this time of the year.
   
ZZZ
   
Peak color for this tree.
   
Complete with good-size waterfall!
   
 
   
One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.
   
From this point, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Unusual shaped trees.
   
This probably isn't the best time of the year to see this fountain pool.  That's the Climatron greenhouse in the background.
   

Disturbing pumpkin faces.

We enjoyed the Missouri Botanical Gardens.  I'm sure it would be better when everything is open, and in the spring and summer when everything is growing and green.  Although I think we nailed it with the Japanese garden.  Recommended.
   
 
   
Previous
Home
Next