Leave the Leaves this fall season

During the early winter months, the colorful fall foliage we enjoyed just days before begins to find its way into our yards and lawns. For some, these leaves become an eyesore, but for the bugs that stay with us throughout the winter, they play a vital role. Why leave the leaves? As your gardens fade…

“What is that?!”: Botanical oddities found in home gardens

The botanical world is full of beautiful, remarkable sights and processes that can leave us in awe. But there are also some peculiar plants, mutations, and botanical diseases and disorders that can spark our curiosity or even send a shiver down our spines. Our horticulturalists at the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening have…

Plants Of Demerit 2023

When it comes to home gardening, knowing what not to plant is just as important as knowing what should be going into your garden.

2023 Plants of Merit

Every year since 1998, the Missouri Botanical Garden has partnered with other regional horticultural institutions to select Plants of Merit. Plants of Merit are chosen for outstanding quality and dependable performance in Missouri, southern and central Illinois, and the Kansas City metro area. To qualify as a Plant of Merit, the plants must be easy to…

Plant Profile: Coneflowers 

A staple of many wildflower gardens in Missouri because of its beautiful blooms, coneflowers a have a long history of human use, including curing snakebites.

The Right Rose for Your Yard

With more than 30,000 varieties of roses are available to gardeners, it’s hard to know which one to choose. Follow advice from Garden Rosarian Matthew Norman to find the right rose for your yard.

Focus on Crocus

A frequent subject in poetry and art, crocus are considered by many to be the first sign of spring.

Plant Profile: Persimmon

The American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is a Missouri-native tree known for its edible fruit and cultural connections.