Education
Horticulture For Health & Well-being
Programs Brought to You
Bring the Garden to you! Request a Missouri Botanical Garden staff and or MBG trained volunteer to come to your center and present a forty to sixty minute presentation with a kit of display and sensory stimulating props.
Reservation Procedures
Call Carol at (314) 577-9506 at least two months before you would like to have the program presented.
- As soon as a staff member and/or MBG trained volunteer has been scheduled to
present your program, a confirmation form will be mailed to you.
- Please mail the payment when the confirmation form is received. Volunteers can
not collect payment at the time of the program.
- If payment is not received 2 weeks prior to the program, the program will
not be presented.
- Cancellations are non-refundable.
Please make sure that at least 2 staff members from your center are present
during the program to assist participants.
Download a printable brocure. (3.25MB pdf)
Slide Presentations
Fee: $20
Participants: 10–25 depending upon the ability level of the participants
Missouri Native Wildflowers
Discover the many benefits of planting Missouri natives. Explore three habitats: prairie, woodland, and glade. These wildflowers attract a variety of songbirds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Learn about these plants and how they were used by Native Americans.
SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Around the World in Flowers
Flowers are not only beautiful to look at but have fascinating stories and legends regarding their origins. Discover the splendor of the world's flowers.
AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Tropical Rain Forests
Experience the wide variety of plants and animals as you journey through fascinating tropical forests. Learn about the many foods and products that come from the rainforest. SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Mysteries of Orchids
The orchid family is one of the most diverse and fascinating in the plant kingdom. Get up close and personal with these exotic beauties. Learn about the history and legends of some of the world’s most beautiful flowers. SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Romance of Roses
Sit back and relax as you enjoy some of the most beautiful roses in the world. Learn about the appreciation of these plants throughout history as well as the different types and hybrids of these captivating plants. SCN, AL – Sensory kit
British Gardens
England is a country filled with beautiful gardens and avid gardeners. Delight in these charmingly quaint gardens that are the envy of gardeners around the world. SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
A Rainbow of Gardens
Explore 24 fascinating gardens of the Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Learn about the bird, butterfly, herb, and fragrance gardens. IL, SC
North American Birds and their Nests
There are a wide variety of different nests and nesting habits of North American birds. Types of nests are based on location, types of predators, and materials available. From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, enjoy a beautiful and fascinating slide show on a large variety of intriguing birds and the homes they make. AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Birds at Your Feeder
Have you ever wondered about the many birds that visit your feeder? Learn about the variety of birds and their habitats.
SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Plants of the Bible
Biblical references help us understand the plants of Israel over thousands of years. Learn about these fascinating plants and their uses through the centuries.
SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Mr. Shaw and His Garden
See how Henry Shaw’s dream grew into a world famous institution—the Missouri Botanical Garden.
AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Bulbs for All Seasons
Bulbs produce some of the most exquisite of flowers. Learn all about their variety and history and how they share their beauty through all seasons.
SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
The Japanese Garden
Enjoy the splendor of Missouri Botanical Garden’s Japanese Garden. The philosophy and design of this garden are beautifully illustrated and interpreted.
AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Sculptures, Fountains, Pools, and Ponds
Join us as we take a visual tour of the many sculptures and water features around the Missouri Botanical Garden. We will focus on the artist, the symbolism behind the piece, and its connection to the Garden.
IL, SC
Welcome to the Garden
Take a slide tour of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Enjoy the beauty of our flowering plants as well as our sculptures and fountains that delight the eye.
SCN, AL, IL
A Walk in the Chinese Garden
A wonderful experience awaits as you explore the myth and meaning of the elements of stone, water, plants, and structures found in our Chinese scholar’s garden.
AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
American Gardens
Take a fascinating tour through four of the finest east coast American gardens: Longwood, Winterthur, Swiss Pines, and Colonial Williamsburg.
IL, SC – Sensory kit 
Around the World Travelogs
Additional Travelogs Available:
- Away to Austria
- Belgium and Luxembourg
- Beautiful Brazil
- Across China
- Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia
- Five Offbeat European Capitals
- France and Monaco
- A Feeling for France
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Exotic India
- Around Italy
- Kruger National Park
- London Here We Come
- Around Madrid
- Mexico
- Passing Through Portugal
- South Africa
- A Cruise to Spain and Africa
- Mediterranean Spain
- Northern Spain
- Western Spain
- Talking Turkey with Bavarian Cream Pie
- Beautiful Baltic
- Going Greek
- The Yangtze River Cruise
- Shanghai
- Beijing
- Hawaii
- Alaskan Wilderness and Yukon
- Wild on Ecuador
- Netherlands at a Glance
Take a journey around the world without the hassle of long flights or
bumpy roads. Sit back, relax, and behold a slide show about one of
the exotic places listed below! Most travelogs discover the culture,
architecture and people of the region. IL, SC
Gardens of the World
Our selections for this tour are the Missouri Botanical Garden; the Columbus, Ohio Park of Roses; the Guitig Gardens near Quito, Ecuador; a small garden in Mozambique, the Royal Botanical Garden in Madrid, Spain; the gardens of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain; a small garden near Mt. Fuji in Japan and finally the Arboretum and Botanical Garden in the Waimea Falls Park on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The Gardens of Niagara Falls
First, we look at the oldest state park in the U.S. located in downtown Niagara Falls. Then, we cross into Canada where we look at the Niagara Parks Greenhouses and Artists Gardens followed by the Oates Gardens and finally the Niagara Park Botanical Garden and School of Horticulture. Everything is in bloom for our visit. 
“How to” Gardening Presentations
For groups interested in learning more about accessible gardening ideas,
design, and technique we offer an exciting list of presentations designed
for the amateur gardener. All class participants will receive informational
handouts with each program.
Fee: $20
Participants: 10–25 depending upon the ability level of the participants.
 Butterfly Gardening
Butterflies have intrigued people for centuries. During this beautiful slide
presentation we will learn about the life cycle of the butterfly as well as
how to attract and keep them in our gardens! Learn about their needs and
the different plants that will bring these beauties to your yard!
SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Small Space Gardening
In a small garden, everything counts! With selective planning, one can
create their own bit of paradise. We will discuss plants that have multiple
seasonal benefits, such as summer blooms, fall color, and winter interest.
IL, SC
Low-Maintenance Gardening
No garden is no maintenance, but your garden should not always be a
dreaded chore! It needs to be a source of pleasure and delight. In this
presentation, we will discuss soil, water, mulch, and the best plants to
choose for a low maintenance garden.
IL, SC
Hands-on Presentations
These hands-on programs have been developed for participants with
a variety of ability levels. Each 45–60 minute program is taught by a
Missouri Botanical Garden staff or trained volunteer that introduces
the group to the topic and is followed by a hands-on activity for all
participants. For reservations call (314) 577-9506.
Please make sure that at least 2 staff members from your center are
present during the program to assist participants with projects.
Fee: $50
Limit: 10–15 participants per program
The Wonderful World of Bulbs
On a dreary winter afternoon, nothing is more cheerful than the beautiful
blooms of daffodils, iris, hyacinths and other bulbs. Learn about the
fabulous variety and history of some of the most beautiful bulbs.
Participants will pot a bulb appropriate for the season.
SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Delight of a Chinese Garden
The Garden's Margaret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden honors the sister
city relationship between St. Louis and Nanjing, established in 1979 as the
first such relationship between the United States and China. Participants
will enjoy a slide tour of our fabulous Chinese Garden and a hands-on
activity, including potting individual jade plants with a Chinese stone
decoration.
SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
The Zen Experience
Enjoy the splendor of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Japanese Garden.
The philosophy and design of this garden are beautifully illustrated
and interpreted. Create a small Zen garden to take home for inner
peace and tranquility.
SCN, AL, IL, SC
Container Gardening
This program can be designed to fit your
needs! Hanging baskets and container
vegetables or herbs are just a few
possibilities. Our MBG volunteers share
tips and techniques for container plant
care. Fee includes a talk, demonstration,
and one planted container for your center
OR a small hands-on planting activity for
each participant (depending on availability).
Bring your sick plants for personal advice!
AL, IL, SC
Color of Nature
Much of the color in nature comes from flowers. Learn about the effects of
color and how flowering plants use color. Participants make a decorative
corsage or boutonniere from silk flowers to be kept or given as a gift.
Fresh flowers are available upon request.
SCN, AL, IL
Rainforest Adventures
Experience the wide variety of plants and animals as you journey
through fascinating tropical forests. Learn about the challenges these
forests are facing in modern times. Learn about the unique adaptations
these plants have obtained for their survival. Participants will start a
cutting of a tropical plant for their own tropical pleasure!
SCN, AL, IL, SC – Sensory kit
Gardens of England
England is a country filled with beautiful
gardens and avid gardeners. Delight in
these charmingly quaint gardens that are
the envy of gardeners around the world.
Create your own herbal tea in tea bags for
your enjoyment.
SCN, AL, IL, SC
Note to Senior Living Activity Directors
The goal of the Missouri Botanical Garden Therapeutic Horticulture Programs is to provide the best quality and most meaningful programs to individuals of all abilities in the community. Some positive changes have been made to serve you and your participants better.
By keeping the number of participants smaller and the program length appropriate for your participants, we can offer a more meaningful and beneficial program for all individuals by catering to their specific needs. We have also created a Facilities Key to act as a guide to aid in your selection of programming for the specific abilities of your group. For assistance in choosing the best program for your group call Carol at (314) 577-9506.
Facilities Key
SCN = Skilled Care Nursing / Ideal number of participants: 10–15
AL = Assisted Living / Ideal number of participants: 10–15
IL = Independent Living / Ideal number of participants: 10–25 (hands-on 10–15)
SC = Senior Clubs / Ideal number of participants: 10–25 (hands-on 10–15)
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