Posted: 3/13/2019 | Print Friendly Version

As the snow melts away and we welcome warm weather in the St. Louis area, all three of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s sites will be abuzz with activity. Check out the spring happenings at the Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve, and Butterfly House.

Missouri Botanical Garden

March 30-31: Seasonal Re-openings

After we officially enter spring, the Garden will re-open the Children’s Garden, Tower Grove House, Cafe Flora, and will once again offer tram rides.

Education staff will offer regular programming, including nature observations and discoveries in the Children’s Garden, hands-on exploration activities in Brookings Exploration Center, and story time in Tower Grove House.

Cafe Flora offers brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays in Spink Pavillion. Originally known as the Flora Gate, the pavilion is situated on the grand plaza overlooking the three large reflecting lily pools, the Milles Sculpture Garden and the world-renowned Climatron.

            Narrated tram tours run approximately 25 to 30 minutes and provide an excellent opportunity to see and learn about many of thebeautiful display gardens, sculptures and buildings you can visit during your day at the Garden. 

April 5 and 6: Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while supplies last

The Kemper Center for Home Gardening will give away Missouri native tree saplings. Tree saplings will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. One per family while supplies last. Master gardeners and Garden horticultural staff will answer questions and give advice on planting trees.

April 5: Sake and Sakura

5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Celebrate the beauty of spring and the season of hanami by sipping sake under the cherry blossoms (sakura) in the JapaneseGarden (Seiwa-en). Specialists will be on hand to guide your sake sampling adventure. Attendees will receive a keepsake tasting cup and will have the rare opportunity to explore the Japanese Garden's Teahouse Island. Five sake samples are included with admission. Additional sake and traditional Japanese cuisine will be available for purchase. St. Louis Osuwa Taiko performs live at 6 p.m. For guests age 21 and older.

April 14: Tulip Trot

7 to 9 a.m.

Join the Young Friends of the Garden for a morning fun run on a recommended 5K course through the Garden grounds. Participants receive a run shirt and same-day admission through 5 p.m. Water stations and a light snack provided. 

Note: This is part of a three-run series that spans all three Garden sites.

April 27- 28: Chinese Culture Days

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
            This annual celebration features a Grand Parade with 70-foot dancing dragon, authentic regional cuisine, t’ai chi and acrobatics. Stroll through the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden and see its many plant species and architectural details. This year is a special celebration, as it marks the 40th anniversary of the St. Louis/Nanjing sister city relationship. 

Please note: No trams, free hours or early morning walking hours on signature event weekends.

May 2-4: Herb Days Plant Sale
5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 (Preview event for Garden members only.)

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday May 3

9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 4 (If there are remaining plants.)

Presented by The St. Louis Herb Society. Choose from a wide selection of more than 9,000 potted fresh herbs, including new and hard-to-find varieties. The St. Louis Herb Society’s popular cookbook, periodicals, and herb-related products will also be available. Society members will share tips on selecting, planting, growing, and using herbs. Pick up information on upcoming classes, herb-based recipes, and more.

May 10: Grapes in the Garden
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

            Taste more than 250 wines, both international and domestic, while enjoying live music and a beautiful spring evening in theGarden. Attendees receive a souvenir tasting glass and festival program highlighting the wines served, and wine specialists from Schnucks are available to answer questions and guide your sampling adventure. Special case pricing is also available for wines sampled.
 

May 17: Fest of Ale
6 to 9 p.m.
Join the Young Friends of the Garden for the 12th annual Fest-of-Ale. This event celebrates local beer as the region's microbreweries bring their best offerings to the Garden for tasting. Ticket price includes a commemorative tasting glass, beer sampling, and live music. Food available for purchase. Event proceeds benefit the EarthWays Center.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located in south St. Louis at 4344 Shaw Blvd. 

Shaw Nature Reserve

April 6: Daffodil Dash 5K Trail Run

9 to 10:30 a.m.

The first run in our series, kick off the season with a trail run at the Nature Reserve. Enjoy thousands of daffodils and theexperience of a trail run over diverse natural surfaces. Participants receive a run shirt. Proceeds support Shaw Nature Reserve.

May 10-11: Shaw Spring Wildflower Market

2 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 10 (For Garden members only.)

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 11

Browse hundreds of varieties of annual and perennial wildflowers, ferns, trees and shrubs to use in home landscaping and toattract wildlife, along with both showy and hardy plants for sun or shade. Beer, wine, cheese, meats and more will also be available for purchase. 

Please note that the Friday event is for members only.

Shaw Nature Reserve is located at 307 Pinetum Loop Rd in Gray Summit.

Butterfly House

All April and May: Spring Fling

Join us in April and May at the Butterfly House as we host a variety of activities that celebrate pollinators, native plants, and all things that make spring so wonderful.

            At the Pollinator Plant Sale, the horticulture experts at the Butterfly House will help you plan your pollinator garden. We will have a wide variety of native plants that benefit butterflies, bees, and other native pollinators.  All plant sale proceeds benefit Project Pollinator, our community gardening initiative. Sales will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21.

            You’ll also want to check out our other family friendly events during Spring Fling, including the Fancy Tea with Mommy and Me and Bookworm Brunch.

At Fancy Tea, join us for a tea party that will have you feeling fancy and acting silly. Enjoy tasty treats and delightful drinks as you have fun in a Wonderland at the Butterfly House. Fancy Tea is held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4 and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 5.

            Bookworm Brunch will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 26. Everyone’s favorite big red dog will be joining in on the fun! Your family can enjoy breakfast, crafts, story time, and photos with Clifford.

April 19: Girl Scout Night
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Open to all Girl Scout troops and Girl Scout families

            Come explore the Butterfly House on a night set aside just for Girl Scouts. This event includes a chance to interact with live insects and learn more about them from a Butterfly House entomologist. Scouts can also partake in citizen science activities, like learning about plants that attract pollinators. All scouts will receive the Butterfly House patch for attending. All participants must pre-register by 5 p.m. on April 18 to attend. You can register online here.

May 11: Springtime Sprint

8 to 9:30 a.m.

Head to the Butterfly House for the first Springtime Sprint in Faust Park. Families are invited to walk, jog, or stroll through theevent. At the halfway point, participants will be "powdered with pollen" at the "bumblebee stumble" and "butterfly flutter." Proceeds support the Butterfly House. This is the final run in the spring series.

The Butterfly House is located in Chesterfield at 15193 Olive Blvd.