Missouri Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden
Name	Missouri Botanical Garden
Type	Botanical garden
Location	St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Area	79 acres
Opened	1859
Founder	Henry Shaw
Director	Peter Wyse Jackson

Missouri Botanical Garden. Founded in 1859 by philanthropist Henry Shaw, it is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. The garden spans 79 acres in the St. Louis metropolitan area and is renowned globally for its extensive plant collections, scientific research, and public horticultural displays. It serves as a center for botany, plant conservation, and environmental education.

History

The establishment was made possible by the vision and endowment of English-born businessman Henry Shaw, who was inspired by visits to renowned gardens like the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Shaw consulted with leading botanists of his era, including George Engelmann and Asa Gray, to develop the grounds and a herbarium. The original Tower Grove House and the surrounding estate were opened to the public, with the formal garden design influenced by the work of Sir Joseph Paxton. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded significantly under directors such as Edgar Anderson and Frits Went, and it established critical partnerships with institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Collections and exhibits

The garden's living collections include over 27,000 plant taxa, showcased in diverse climatic and thematic displays. The iconic Climatron, a geodesic dome conservatory opened in 1960, houses a simulated rainforest environment. The Japanese Garden, named Seiwa-en, is one of the largest of its kind in North America, featuring traditional elements like kare-sansui and a chashitsu. Other major features include the English Woodland Garden, the Victorian District with the original Linnean House, and specialized collections for orchids, ferns, and carnivorous plants. The Sofia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield is a satellite facility.

Research and conservation

Scientific inquiry is centered at the William L. Brown Center and the herbarium, which houses over 7.2 million specimens, making it one of the world's largest. The garden's research focuses on plant systematics, economic botany, and tropical ecology, with major programs in Madagascar and Vietnam. It is a world leader in the study of the flora of Missouri and the Flora of China project. Conservation initiatives, coordinated through the Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, target endangered species and habitats, employing strategies like seed banking and ecological restoration. Scientists such as Peter H. Raven and James Solomon have been instrumental in these efforts.

Education and outreach

Educational programs serve a wide audience, from schoolchildren to professional horticulturists. The Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum provides historical and cultural context, while the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden offers interactive learning. The garden offers formal courses, certificates, and collaborates with universities like Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Community outreach includes the Shaw Nature Reserve and the Whitmire Wildflower Garden, promoting native plant gardening and urban ecology. Public events like the Chinese Culture Days and the Best of Missouri Market draw significant attendance.

Notable features

Key architectural and horticultural landmarks include the 1859 Tower Grove House, Shaw's former country home, and the modern Ridgeway Center. The Kemper Center for Home Gardening provides practical advice and demonstration plots. Seasonal displays, such as the Garden Glow holiday lights and the Orchid Show, are major civic attractions. The garden's library, part of the Peter H. Raven Library, holds a vast collection of rare botanical texts and artworks. The grounds also feature significant sculpture, including works by Carl Milles and a bronze of Henry Shaw by Paul Wayland Bartlett.

Governance and funding

The institution operates as a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Trustees. It receives funding from a combination of endowment income, private donations, grants from entities like the National Science Foundation and the Missouri Department of Conservation, membership dues, and public admission fees. Major support has come from philanthropic families in the St. Louis region, including the Taylor family and the Schnuck family. The garden also manages a network of affiliated properties, including the 2,400-acre Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit.

Category:Botanical gardens in Missouri Category:National Historic Landmarks in Missouri Category:Tourist attractions in St. Louis Category:1859 establishments in Missouri