I was there in August and surprised myself with all the photos I took of bark features. The gardens are celebrating their 150th anniversary next year. Those metasequoias were planted shortly after WW II, and are truly majestic. Nearby is a zelkova with wonderful fluted trunk taper. I noted a parrotia that was peeling and flaking, and several maples, not just paperbark, with beautiful bark. Guess i need to go back after leaf fall and take more pics. Truly a world class garden. brian

Wow, that is a nice big clump of Basjoo. I'd like to get to mobot someday, I've heard good things about it. And I'd look up that Basjoo too. Gives me hope that maybe mine here, in a suburb East of KC will someday be some nice plants. I have a friend in the bootheel of Missouri, about 200 miles South of St Louis, that I'd like to try some plants like Basjoo, Monkey Puzzle, straight Southern Magnolia, cacti and more. Although he's a good friend, he's not what you'd call a plant lover, he's more of a tree cutter than a tree planter. I mentioned a Banana in the backyard by his inground pool and some cactus in the front and his response wasn't too favorable. I can see why he might not want cactus because he has small kids, but a Banana would be ideal, and rare there. Back by the pool, in the backyard, on the South side of his house would just be ideal. Maybe its just me, I don't know, maybe I have pool and zone envy! But the plants are only 8 dollars right now! I'll just kind of show up with the plants in tow, then he can't refuse! Will

Have you looked at their website? I think they've made a list of what has been in bloom when. So if there are some particular things you'd like to see in bloom, you can see when historically they've bloomed. You really cannot pick a wrong time to visit. Even dead of winter it is beautiful. But why don't you try going in the spring and then maybe, just maybe you can go again in the summer! I can assure you that you are going to want to visit again once you've seen it. And plan to spend a long time at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Four to six hours if you are up to it. There is a lot to take in.

Thank you, Brandon! Your films are always so interesting. As well as the close ups of the roses, I enjoyed seeing the background of the entire garden - it is huge! Jackie