Fighting for the Future of Plants in Mauritius

Ten-thousand miles from home, soaked in the relentless downpour of the Mauritian rainy season, and splattered with the mud of mountain trails, Kayla Flamm, Jean Claude Sevathian, Becky Sucher, and Andrew Wyatt found themselves peering over the edge of a 500-foot waterfall in search of any hint of the delicate, pale blue flowers of the Nesocodon.

Protecting Plants from Fungus Gnats

As you wait for the winter to thaw so you can get back to your garden, you may be paying more attention to your houseplants. And, it’s possible, dealing with pest issues. One very common plant pest if the fungus gnat. Infestations of these small, flying insects can range in severity from just being a…

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Your Amaryllis Can Bloom Again!

Amaryllis are a popular holiday plant because when potted indoors, they tend to bloom around Christmas. Plus, the red variety adds some festive color to any room. While their blooms fade after holidays, the plant’s life is far from over. In fact, if cared for properly, amaryllis can bloom over and over.  All About Amaryllis…

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Efficiency + Comfort = Good Investment!

Our city home was built over three eras. The original four rooms have sheltered families since about 1870 — that’s one hundred and fifty years! A kitchen and indoor bathroom were added sometime between then and the 1940s, when a new two-story wing was constructed. Property records tell us the first occupant, a Dutch tulip…

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Three Black Scientists Overlooked by History

Though often overlooked by historians, several Black scientists are among the most spectacular contributors to horticulture and agricultural history. Faced with unique but extraordinary challenges, Percy Julian, Marie Clark Taylor, and Edmond Albius all contributed significantly to botany, horticulture, and humankind through their experimentation and exploration with plants. As we celebrate Black History Month, we…

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Keeping Your Plants on the Bright Side

How to Make Sure Your Plant is Getting Enough Light in Winter The shortest day of the year has passed, but St. Louis days are still averaging only about 9 and a half hours of daylight. That’s a far cry from the summer solstice in June, a day when we see almost 15 hours of…

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10 New Plant Species Described by the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2020

Each year, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Science and Conservation staff discover and name about 200 plant species new to science. That’s roughly 10 percent of all plant species discovered by scientists worldwide annually. Discovery is the first crucial step in plant conservation. Until a species is described, we cannot think about conservation status or ensure…

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Botanical Books to add to your Holiday Wish List

Whether you’re already a plant enthusiast, or you’re looking to explore a new hobby in the new year, the holidays are the perfect time to stock up on plant books. With such a broad category, you may be struggling to narrow down your options. Leave it to the experts! The Earth in Her Hands: 75…

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The Plantmoji Project: 2020 Updates

Gardening 🌿 teaches us many things, including patience  and the acceptance of failures 🤦‍♀️. So too, it turns out, does emoji-making. In 2019 the Garden submitted 📩 a proposal for an official orchid emoji to the Unicode Consortium, the governing body that oversees emoji. One year later the orchid remains close to reaching its goal…

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Cold Weather Kale and Cabbage

Cabbage and kale are popular cool-weather vegetables known for their many health benefits, but did you know these lovely leafy greens come in ornamental varieties, too? Ornamental cabbages and kales have showy, colorful foliage and are typically grown as annuals in fall container plantings or massed for a late-season bedding display. The leaves come in…

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Plan a #Plantsgiving Feast

Turkey is the headline-grabbing star of most Thanksgiving meals. But plants are the real heavy-lifting heroes. From savory seasonings to sweet desserts, almost every dish on the dinner table will have at least one botanical ingredient. Whether you are preparing the food or just enjoying it this Thanksgiving, give thanks to the plants making this…

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AIP Masters Program — Advancing Higher Ed Beyond the Classroom

As we search for ways to thrive along with the astounding biodiversity around us, some in St. Louis are expanding their understanding of human and ecological communities through the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP). AIP is a master’s degree program that links study at the Missouri Botanical Garden with online courses from Miami University in Ohio….

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