A variety of gardens offer beautiful examples of Mother Nature’s work and gardeners’ delicate care. Below are some of the gardens you’ll find in the Show-Me State.
Gardens
A. Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
You'll have plenty to see and enjoy at this two-acre public garden, which is home to six fountains, more than 350 varieties of perennials and annual beds that change seasonally. The gardens are contained within a stone and wrought-iron wall. Tours are available for groups of 10 or more, prior arrangements are required.
B. Powell Gardens
Powell Gardens, Kansas City's botanical garden, offers display gardens, interesting architecture and a nature trail on its 950-plus acres. The Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel, designed by architect Fay Jones, offers a quiet place for reflection and inspiration. The 18,000 square-foot Visitor Education Center houses Perennial Gifts gift shop, a cafe and classroom space, plus a glass-topped conservatory.
C. Comanche Acres Iris and Water Gardens
Enjoy 17 acres of blooms and 2,500 varieties of flowers as you stroll the walking paths of Comanche Acres. The season for travelers to visit is generally the first week of May through mid-June; you may want to call ahead to verify hours of operation.
D. Missouri Botanical Garden
Founded in 1859, this is the country's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation. This St. Louis landmark contains 79 acres of gardens and historic structures. Outdoor and indoor displays include the Climatron tropical rain forest; Kemper Center for Home Gardening; Japanese Garden; George Washington Carver Garden; historic Tower Grove House; and the seasonal Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden.
E. Carnahan Memorial Gardens
A striking complement to the Capitol, the garden is located next to the circa 1930s Governor's Mansion. The site is filled with flowers, reflection pools and walkways; it is open to the public.
F. Shelter Insurance Gardens
Beyond the stone-and-wrought-iron gates outside Shelter Insurance's Columbia headquarters are five acres of grounds containing more than 300 varieties of trees and shrubs, and more than 15,000 annuals and perennials.
G. Precious Moments Chapel and Gardens
The outdoor gardens at the world's only Precious Moment's Chapel are as peaceful as they are beautiful. Enjoy a variety of flowering plants as you stroll down The Avenue of Angels.
H. Precious Moments Chapel and Gardens
Hundreds of varieties of plants are found inside 21 gardens and horticultural collections, covering more than 100 acres inside Springfield's Nathanael Greene Park. Specialty gardens include the Mizumoto Stroll Garden and the Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens.