Missouri Botanical Garden

"To discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life." - Missouri Botanical Garden mission

Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark.

The Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.

For over 151 years, the Garden has been an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun-and also a center for education, science, and conservation.

Our Family of Attractions

In addition to the 79-acre Garden in south St. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Garden has two other properties outside the city limits.

The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, located in Chesterfield's Faust Park, was established in 1995 to increase awareness of the natural habitat in which butterflies thrive. Mrs. Sachs possessed a wonder of discovery which she shared with children of all ages. The Butterfly House is named in honor of her generous spirit.

The 2400-acre Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Missouri, was established in 1925 to protect the Missouri Botanical Garden's plant collection from the smoke pollution of the 1920's. Although originally planned as a refuge, it has become a premier educational, research, and habitat restoration and reconstruction site.

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