As St. Louis and much of the surrounding area experience another round of triple-digit temperatures, the plants around us are feeling it too. Hot, sunny weather will dry out soils quickly. With less water available for the roots to absorb, leaves and stems may start to wilt and flag. An occasional deep, slow watering should…
Tag: summer
Heat Up Your Landscape with Hibiscus
In the heat of the summer, hibiscus are popular ornamental plants that can add a touch of tropical flare to any landscape. The genus Hibiscus includes more than 300 species, including two that are native to Missouri. Hibiscus History These plants have a long history of cultivation, beginning in the 17th century when hibiscus from…
Think Tropical
As temperatures warm outside, many home gardeners are eager to get their summer gardens started. Spring is the perfect time to plan your summer garden, and once the final frost is out of the forecast, you can get to planting your annuals. When you’re thinking about how to make your yard pop this summer, consider…
Scroll Through the Garden: September
September is the final month of summer, and its autumnal equinox ushers in the fall season. Take a scroll through the bright blooms of late summer and the first hints of fall color.
Scroll Through Summer: August
Scroll through summer with the top 30 photos from the Missouri Botanical Garden this August.
Scroll Through Summer: July
The warmth of the July sun sets off a frenzy of growth as plants reach for the peak of their potential. The delicate greens of spring and early summer deepen, and plants that were small and humble just weeks ago now overwhelm the landscape with explosive color. Midsummer in St. Louis is not unlike weather…
SAGE: Connecting Young Adults to Nature Through Service
The bitter cold is still hanging on for now, but preparations for summertime will be underway before we know it. Warmer weather means countless chances to get to the Garden, and for young adults interested in the natural world, the SAGE (Students as Garden Educators) program offers an opportunity to spend a productive summer out…
Insider’s Guide to a Cool Summer Visit
Our water lilies love St. Louis summers, but the rest of us probably wilt at the idea of spending too much time outside on a hot day. Don’t let the heat keep you from stopping by your favorite botanical garden to experience beautiful summer blooms. Here’s our insider’s guide to keeping cool during your next…
Watering Your Plants While You’re Away
Summer has been a scorcher this year in St. Louis. With the excessive heat and little rain, it’s even more important than usual to frequently water your garden. That’s easy enough when you’re at home and able to turn on the hose for your plants every day, but what about when you’re leaving town for…
Bringing Pollinators to Your Garden
It’s summer, and as you’re spending more time in your backyard, you may find yourself thinking about adding plants that attract pollinators to your yard. Perhaps you’re motivated by the environmental benefits, or maybe you just want to enjoy the aesthetic of butterflies and birds floating through your garden on a sunny day. Either way,…
Time for Summer Planting
It already feels like summer outside, but mid-spring, around Mother’s Day, is actually the perfect time for summer planting. With temperatures warm enough by day and night, it’s a safe time to plant any summer flowers, like begonias, zinnias, marigolds, and impatiens, as well as summer vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. It’s even warm enough to…
How to Keep Your Summer Picnic Sustainable
Summer would not be the same at the Garden without the Whitaker Music Festival, the outdoor concert series presented annually by the Whitaker Foundation on Wednesday evenings from May 29 through July 31, and regular festival attendees know the festival experience would not be the same without a picnic. On all Whitaker Music Festival performance…