Missouri Botanical Garden
Park Historic botanical garden in St. Louis, extensive collections.
The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis offers living plant collections, historic landscapes and the Climatron conservatory; visitors arrive for seasonal displays, horticultural exhibits and educational programs.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a major botanical institution in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1859 by horticulturist Henry Shaw.
Extensive living collections across roughly 79 acres, formal display gardens, and a prominent conservatory known as the Climatron. The garden also hosts seasonal displays, educational programmes, and plant conservation work.
The institution has developed as both a public garden and a center for botanical research, maintaining a large herbarium and library supporting scientific study and conservation projects.
The garden is located in the Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis, adjacent to parks and residential areas, and is easily reached from central St. Louis by road.
- Founding: Founded by Henry Shaw in 1859, it is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States and combines public display gardens with scientific research.
What to See #
- Climatron: A geodesic conservatory first opened in 1960 that houses a rainforest display and tropical plant collections under a climate-controlled dome.
- Japanese Garden: A formal Japanese garden within the grounds featuring ponds, bridges, and traditional plantings, popular for photography and seasonal displays.
- Research and Herbarium: A large research herbarium and library supporting plant science, conservation and public education programs.
How to Get to Missouri Botanical Garden #
The garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd in St. Louis. It is accessible by car and local buses; parking is available onsite. The nearest major public transit hub is the Delmar Loop with connecting buses.
Tips for Visiting Missouri Botanical Garden #
- Arrive soon after opening for the best light in the Climatron conservatory and to avoid school groups.
- Bring coins or small bills for the historic Climatron's automated tram or garden shop purchases - some features still use cash.
- Don't skip the Linnean House and the herbarium displays; many visitors head to the Japanese strolling garden and miss these quieter scientific collections.
Best Time to Visit Missouri Botanical Garden #
Visit spring or autumn for peak displays and comfortable weather; weekdays are quieter than weekends.
Weather & Climate near Missouri Botanical Garden #
Missouri Botanical Garden's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (980 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).
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