A Garden Wonderland
Hopefully you are aware of the wonderful attraction that is located in South St. Louis – the Missouri Botanical Garden. Founded in 1859, it is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark.
The Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.
The year 2009 marks the Garden’s sesquicentennial anniversary. For over 150 years, the Garden has been an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun—and also a center for education, science, and conservation.
The Garden is beautiful at all times of the year, and the coming holiday season offers even more reasons to come for a visit. Pile Grandma and the kids into your spacious Ford Expedition and experience first hand the beauty of this local landmark.
Gardenland Express: Wednesday, November 26–Sunday, January 4, 2009
One of St. Louis’s most beloved holiday traditions returns with Gardenland Express, the Garden’s annual holiday flower and train show. Be swept away to a wintery wonderland in the mountains of Vermont.
Tiny villages, ski resorts, and covered bridges dot the living landscape of dwarf conifers, evergreens, succulents, and moss. Eight G-scale model trains chug through the scenery surrounded by hundreds of colorful poinsettias and seasonal flowers.
Gardenland Express is a temporary installation, created fresh each year by the Garden’s talented team of horticulturists and volunteers.
Victorian Christmas at Tower Grove House - All throughout December
Tower Grove House, the Victorian country home of Garden founder Henry Shaw will be decorated with wreaths, garlands, floral centerpieces, greenery and a holiday tree the month of December.
Christmas Carols in the Garden - December 13 – 1 4
Santa in his sleigh, musicians and carolers, and roasting chestnuts—it’s all part of this celebration of the sounds of the season.
Five choirs, a brass ensemble, a jazz combo, and a harpist will perform throughout Garden grounds. Mulled cider, hot chocolate, and cookies will be available for purchase, and the Garden Gate Shop will be open for holiday shopping. Leave the Focus at home and bring the Ford SUV, because you are going to want to load up on the fabulous gifts you will find for everyone in the family.
