One hundred and fifty years ago, Henry Shaw, an Englishman with a keen sense of business and a passion for plants, transformed those fields, far from St. Louis’ bustling core, into what is now the oldest botanical gardens in the United States. At 79 acres, it is not the biggest; the New York Botanical Garden has 250 acres, the Chicago Botanic Garden 385.

But the Missouri Botanical Garden conducts more research here and abroad and boasts more volunteers and members than almost all of its peers.

Here we look at some milestones in the garden’s history.

— Diane Toroian Keaggy | St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Explore 3d photo panoramas of the Missouri Botanical garden.

In honor of its 150th anniversary, the Missouri Botanical Garden is creating
its first floral clock.  Officially debuting May 1, 2009, the clock, located
along the central reflecting pools, measures 20 feet across and features a
working cuckoo chirping every quarter hour.

Video by Stephanie S. Cordle