Time for Tulips

Bursting into beautiful, vibrant blooms each April, tulips have become synonymous with spring. Tulips, or tulipa, are part of the lily family, Liliaceae. Although commonly associated with the Netherlands, their native range is actually in Central Asia and Southern Europe. Tulipa includes more than 100 different species, thousands of varieties, and flowers in many vivid…

All About Easter Lillies

In springtime, Easter lilies are a common sight in grocery stores, churches, and on dining room tables. With their large, white, trumpet-shaped blooms and delicate fragrance, they are a true symbol of the Easter season. But did you know that spring isn’t the only time these plants can be enjoyed?  If you want to keep…

Searching for Spring: Scavenger Hunt App

Shelter in place restrictions aimed at fighting the spread of COVID-19 may have many people feeling cooped up indoors. But spring is just outside your door! Wherever you live, spring is all around us. You may find it in your own backyard, or with a simple walk around your neighborhood. A walk is a great…

Remote Research: A Lonely Spring

Throughout the world, closures and lockdowns aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted many people’s lives and work. As a global institution, the Missouri Botanical Garden does research around the world, making travel restrictions a major hindrance. The “stay at home” order means staff has lost access to the Garden’s herbarium and labs,…

Growing Your Own Cherry Tree

There is nothing quite like cherry blossoms in bloom. The magical pink and white Yoshino cherries in the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C., or here at home in the Missouri Botanical Garden, are truly an icon of spring. Yoshino cherry tree (Prunus x yedoensis) flowering in the Japanese Garden | Photo by Cassidy Moody These…

Planning Your Garden

Being stuck inside may have you dreaming of planting your summer garden in the warm sunshine. We’re still a few weeks away from the prime planting season — the best time to start is after Mother’s Day — but now is the best time to plan your garden. Planning your garden is a crucial first…

Finding Your Mulch Match

As winter melts into spring, gardening may be at the top of your mind. Although you may be thinking more about the prettier side of planting, like the bright blooming flowers, the mulch in your yard is important, too. Mulch offers many benefits including retaining soil moisture, regulating soil temperature, suppressing weed growth, preventing compaction,…