What to Do When It's Cold Outside

Climatron^® Conservatory
One of the first geodesic dome conservatories in the United States houses a living tropical rain forest display with streams, waterfalls, and hundreds of tropical plant species. The Climatron is at its best between November and March.

Shoenberg Temperate House
Especially inviting between January and March, the Temperate House displays plants from warm, dry regions such as California and the Mediterranean, as well as carnivorous plants and a Moorish garden.

William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening
Relax by a warm fireplace and peruse the Kemper Center's gardening library or explore information sources such as the PlantFinder database or Plant Doctor Clinic. Get ready for spring planting season by bringing in a soil sample from your yard for a soil test.

Japanese Garden, Seiwa-en
When it snows, don't miss the opportunity to visit Seiwa-en, the "garden of pure, clear harmony and peace."  In the Japanese Garden, snow is considered a flower, referred to as sekka or toka. The way that snow accumulates on bare branches, lanterns and bridges is an important element of garden viewing. In the winter, shapes and contrasts become the visual pleasures of the garden, and many of its elements can be appreciated most when snow delineates their graceful forms. Colorful koi fish in the lake can sometimes be seen in winter. This rare treat is worth bundling up for!

Margaret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden (Chinese Garden)
It is often said that Chinese gardens are built, not planted, since few plants are used. Much of the space is enclosed by elaborate walls, pavilions, bridges, and decorative pavements. The Chinese Garden is a tranquil place in winter, invoking peaceful thought and self-reflection. The trickling water, authentic pavilion and ancient Chinese limestone formations are particularly beautiful under a layer of snow.

Linnean House
Opened in 1882, this historic building has housed the Garden's camellia collection for over a century. It is the oldest continuously operating display conservatory in the United States. Peak bloom time for camellias is February and March. Look for the rare yellow camellia in bloom from March to April.

Ridgway Center

• Garden Gate Shop – lower level.
• Orthwein Floral Display Hall, flower shows – lower level (additional charge).
• Sassafras café – upper level.
• Monsanto Hall, art and photography exhibitions – upper level.
• Grigg Lobby, art and photography exhibitions – lower level.
• Spink Gallery, collection of Boehm porcelain birds and flowers – upper level.

The Missouri Botanical Garden's mission is "to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life."  Today, 151 years after opening, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science and conservation, education and horticultural display.

3/2010