Though winter at the Missouri Botanical Garden offers its own kind of calm and quiet beauty, spring is when the Garden comes back to life with both vibrant blooms and signature experiences.
In 2025, the Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve, and the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House are offering guests opportunities to enjoy the spring blossoms with daytime admission and extended hours, classes, tours, and signature events.
1. Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms and Other spring blooms
Extended Evening Hours
Thursdays, April 3–September 25 | Open until 8 p.m.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is full of flower-viewing spots in spring, with the Japanese cherry blossoms being one of the most beloved blooms to take in.
But as you make your way to the Japanese Garden, we encourage you to explore our other gardens that are coming to life during this time. From native wildflowers to classic bulb gardens, there is something for every kind of flower fan.
This year, the Garden will bring back its Extended Evening Hours on Thursdays April 3- September 25, allowing guests can explore the Garden until 8 p.m.
Flower viewing tip: Starting March 29, tram tours of the Garden will begin again. Hop on the tram or take a guided walking tour to enhance your springtime visit.
Apple Alley at the Kemper Center
If you love cherry blossoms, you’re sure to enjoy the vibrant apple blossoms on display at the Kemper Center for Home Gardening.
symmetrical displays in the Victorian District
If you are a fan of more formal gardens and creative designs, visit the Doris Waters Harris Lichtenstein Victorian District.
Ephemerals in the English Woodland
Enjoy spring birdsong and fleeting ephemerals under the tree canopy of the Cherbonnier English Woodland Garden.
2. Celebrate 100 years of Protecting Missouri’s habitats with Shaw Nature Reserve
For 100 years, Shaw Nature Reserve has offered unparalleled opportunities to experience the natural landscapes of Missouri.
It began in 1925, when the Missouri Botanical Garden purchased five adjoining farms to provide a refuge for plant collections threatened by industrial pollution, and it remains a haven for plants and wildlife today—as well as a national leader for ecological restoration, native plant horticulture, and environmental education.
Throughout Spring of 2025, the Nature Reserve will be offering unique hikes, tours, and events that invite guests to learn more about its history.
3. Explore the native butterfly garden at the butterfly house
The Tropical Conservatory is the most popular aspect of the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, but don’t forget to visit the Native Butterfly Garden this spring to see some of Missouri’s own beautiful butterflies.
The Native Butterfly Garden is a “backyard” demonstration garden. Plants are carefully selected to provide a habitat for the animals in Faust Park as well as to serve as host plants for caterpillars and nectar sources for native butterflies.
The Native Butterfly Garden also features the Nature T.R.E.K., a sensory nature trail where families explore the natural habitats of plants and wildlife. Children use their senses in the following ways: sight to find colors or shapes in the garden, touch to feel a variety of textures, smell to experience fragrant plants, and hearing with a variety of instruments.
4. celebrate st. louis’ chinese-american heritage at Chinese Culture Days
Saturday & Sunday, May 3–4 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Since 1996, the Garden has collaborated with the Chinese Culture Education and Services Foundation to produce the annual Chinese Culture Days festival. The festival features awe-inspiring Chinese cultural performances, music, art, and history while enjoying authentic cuisine.
This year, the festival will feature performances acrobatic troupe from Northern China and renowned traditional Chinese musicians from Nanjing.
5. Take an Art, Gardening, or Well-being class with the garden
Spring is a time of awakening, not only for the flowers but for our creative interests. From gardening practices to nature study and everything in between—the Missouri Botanical Garden offers a full range of classes for adults, families, and children of all ages.
Classes are available at Garden, the Nature Reserve, and the Butterfly House.
6. Support sustainable business, organizations at the green living festival
Saturday, June 7 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Help your family, friends and coworkers live greener and support local, sustainable businesses at the Green Living Festival.
The annual Green Living Festival offers a full day of active learning, exploring and engaging in ideas for taking action in their everyday life. Exhibitors, workshops, DIY demos, children’s activities, and tours will focus on the many ways that plants and the air, water, soil, and energy of our environment sustain our homes, health and planet.
This year the EarthWays Center, the Garden’s Sustainability Division, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary during the festival.
Jessika Eidson | Public Information Officer
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