color plate from The language of flowers by Miss Ildrewe 1865; The Biodiversity Heritage Library
Saturday, May 20, 2023
In collaboration with the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum, join the Mourning Society of St Louis for a special tour of the Missouri Botanical Garden focusing on 19th-century naturalism, sentimentalism and the art of floriography (communicating through flowers). We'll be passing through the Linnean House and the Gladney Rose Garden as we make our way to the Garden’s historic Victorian District. Guides in period clothing will cover everything from the Wardian case to fern fever and instruct you on the perfect arrangement to send to your sweetheart or your rival. We'll also be pointing out the meaning of the flowers, plants and trees we encounter along the way from the Victorian "Language of Flowers”.
This tour is free with Garden admission; 1st tour at 10am and final tour at 11:30am offers ASL interpretation (each 45 minutes long); tours begin at the Taylor Visitor Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
The Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum is one of the historic structures on the grounds of the Garden, and currently features a special exhibition Urban Garden Dreams: Student Community Art, on view through March 2024.