Through Jan. 3
Gardenland Express annual holiday flower and train show. G-scale model trains travel through a miniature landscape of live plants, surrounded by colorful poinsettias and flowers. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; closes early at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve; closed Christmas Day. Garden admission plus $5. Free for members. Learn more.

Through Jan. 3
Greening your holiday with EarthWays: Living the Green Life. Learn about products, ideas and technology that will help your family grow greener this holiday season, including eco-friendly crafts, décor and gift-giving inspirations. Bring your camera to snap a holiday memory in a “Festively Green Family Photo Scene” and enjoy hands-on activities. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brookings Interpretive Center.

Through Jan. 3
Victorian Christmas at Tower Grove House. See the Victorian country home of Garden founder Henry Shaw decked for the season with wreaths, garlands, floral centerpieces, greenery and a holiday tree. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays. Learn more.

Through Jan. 3
Holiday Trimmings at the Kemper Center. Enjoy a 15-foot balsam fir tree naturally decorated with over 50 “gourdaments” and gourd birdhouses to celebrate Garden’s 150th anniversary. New this year, vote for the “visitor’s choice” award for your favorite gourd! All decorated gourds are sold by silent auction bidding. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Jan. 1. Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Learn more

Through Jan. 3
Holiday Wreath Auction features unique creations by some of the area’s finest floral designers. All wreaths are sold by silent auction bidding, with proceeds benefiting the Missouri Botanical Garden. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information.

Jan. 8 through Mar. 14
Gregory Basco exhibit features photography of Costa Rica. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monsanto Hall, upper level of the Ridgway Visitor Center.

Jan. 11 through 15
The Garden Gate Shop is closed for inventory.

Jan. 15
Watercolor Collage from Abstract to Realism course. Enjoy this unique method of studying basic design through collage, a versatile and flexible way to explore creativity that encourages an individual approach to art through experimentation. The series of four Friday classes begins Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 5. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ridgway Visitor Center, Missouri Room. $160 for the entire course. Advance registration required; www.mobot.org/classes or (314) 577-5140. For a complete list of over 175 fall/winter classes at the Garden’s family of attractions, visit www.mobot.org/classes.

Jan. 16
Great Green Adventures: Winter Color Walk. There may not be many plants blooming, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find color in the Garden. Join us to search out common and not-so-common colors. Ages six to 12 with an adult. Great Green Adventures are held the third Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Meet outside the Children’s Garden entrance. $3 per child.

Jan. 19 through 22
The Garden Gate Shop is closed for cleaning.

Jan. 30 through Mar. 28
Annual Orchid Show features 800 orchids from one of the world’s premier collections. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Orthwein Floral Display Hall, lower level of the Ridgway Visitor Center. Garden admission plus $5; free for Garden members.

Through Jan. 31
Last day to enter the “Power of Plants” contest. Individuals and groups in kindergarten through 12th grades are challenged to pick a plant that does great things and tell its tale through a creative two- or three- dimensional work of art. Visit www.mobot.org/power for complete contest information.

Through Mar. 14
Extended! EarthWays: Living the Green Life exhibit. Explore easy, everyday ways to protect the planet through this interactive exhibit. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Brookings Interpretive Center.

Through Mar. 31
Please note: Narrated tram tours, Tower Grove House, and the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden are not available during the winter months. Seasonal operations resume April 1.

Click here for hours, admission, directions, and parking information.

Email Web Comments: Rob Thurman