Do you love nature? Are you garden devotees? If so, head to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is America's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation. The garden houses a wide array of beautiful indoor and outdoor gardens, ponds and other attractions.

As a national historic landmark, the Missouri Botanical Garden features some recreational areas including Tower Grove House and Herb Garden, Gladney Rose Garden, Linnean House and more. It is really an oasis in the city as well as a center for education, science and research.

To explore the garden, each adult (aged 13 and up) will be charged $8. Kids aged 12 and under are admitted free. Some St Louis attractions inside the garden like Children's Garden may have an additional admission. However, visiting the garden doesn't have to be expensive. There are coupons or special offers that help local and out-of-town visitors alike to get discounted and even free tickets.

1) Visitors can get coupons, discounts or deals for Missouri Botanical Garden by purchasing a St. Louis Family Attractions Card. In general, the card enables you to get buy-one-get-one-free tickets to the garden. These cards can be found at the customer service counter of all Schnucks, Shop 'n Save & Dierbergs grocery stores, St. Louis City & County public libraries, Amtrak stations and CVC Visitor Centers. For more info about St. Louis Family Attractions Card, click here:

St. Louis Family Attractions Card

http://www.familyattractionscard.com/

2) If you are a St. Louis City or County resident, you are eligible for a special half-off discount on your admission to the garden, with proof of residency. For St. Louis city / county senior residents (aged 65 and up), the ticket price is $3.

Showing valid ID, residents of St. Louis City and County can also enjoy free general admission on Wednesdays and Saturdays mornings of each month, from 7am to noon. Additionally, these residents also receive free admission to Children's Garden on each Saturday from 9am to 12pm.

3) For frequent garden-goers, one of the best ways to save money on admission is to join the members of Missouri Botanical Garden. To be a garden member, you are entitled not only to free admission to Missouri Botanical Garden, but also to reciprocal admission to more than 200 botanical gardens across the America, Canada and Europe. You can find detailed info about Missouri Botanical Garden membership on this page:

Missouri Botanical Garden Membership

http://www.mobot.org/membership/default.asp

4) Group tours are available at the garden. There are special pricing and accommodations for adult or youth tour operators of 15 or more if you book in advance with Tourism Department. The general group admission is $7 for adults aged 13 and older. Children aged 12 and under are admitted free. For youth groups, the admission is $6 per person.

The Tourism Department can help you schedule a superb group visit with meal options, private tram tours, private guided walking tours and more. For more info and details about group tours, visit this page:

Group Tours and Private Tours at Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/visit/grouptours.asp

Other offers include:

- AAA or CAA members can receive $1 off general admission to the garden, showing valid membership card. This offer applies to cardholder, plus up to three family members.

- With valid military ID card, military personnel can get two-for-one general admission to the garden.

- Five Star Pass enables you to enjoy admission to five attractions in the area of St. Louis, including Missouri Botanical Garden. For more info, visit this page:

Five Star Pass

http://stlouishotels.explorestlouis.com/1034_ticket-list_m686_r636161.html

Please note that all offers are not valid for special events, exhibits or attractions within the park, including:

- Orchid Show

- Chinese Culture Days

- Japanese Festival

- Best of Missouri Market

- Gardenland Express

Also known as Shaw's Garden, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the top three botanical gardens throughout the world. Founded in 1859, the 79-acre urban oasis is one of the best hidden gems of St. Louis. It's definitely a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.

A wide collection of beautiful gardens are housed in the Missouri Botanical Garden, including a formal English Garden, a Japanese Garden, Children's Garden and many other greenhouses and landscaping. To have a complete tour of the garden, you need to spend a minimum of three hours. The botanical garden also hosts many annual cultural festivals, like the Chinese Culture Days and the Japanese Festival.

The Missouri Botanical Garden features a growing culture and a strong foundation, which complements its spectacular exhibits. The garden invites you to join the family and make a world of difference. Whether you're looking for professional growth or starting your career, the garden has a wide variety of part-time, full-time and even temporary positions. Work in a one-of-a-kind environment and get endless job fun. Currently, one job opening is available for job seekers.

- Vice President, Financial Services

This salaried position works to direct, coordinate the planning and analysis of the financial statements based on financial principles and regulations. Qualified candidates must have a bachelor's or master's degree in Finance, Business or related filed. Minimum 10 years progressive management experience in financial services is a must. Applicants also must possess excellent knowledge of financial software applications. Some other requirements and duties also apply.

Please be aware that all job postings have application deadline. You can stay tuned to the official website for the latest job announcements. Browse through the following website for current job openings.

Open Positions at Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/jobs/positions.asp

How to apply? Interested applicants can apply online for open positions. You can apply for one or multiple openings with separate applications. Your application may include a resume. If you need accommodations for the interviewing process, please contact Human Resource Management at 314-577-5100.

A comprehensive benefits plan is offered for full-time regular employees at the garden. Various different sessions are included in the benefits system, including Medical Plan, Dental Plan, Life and AD&D Program, Unemployment Compensation, Garden Membership and many other complementary programs. Regular employees can also have sick leave and paid holidays.

Benefits Overview

http://www.mobot.org/jobs/benefits.asp

The garden is now seeking various internship positions. The garden offers great internship opportunities for you to earn academic credit and experience professional development. Interns at the garden usually work less than 1 year and are often available in various areas, like administration, education, retails services, customer service and HR management and more. Paid interns can enjoy garden membership benefits. During the internship period, both paid and unpaid interns can get discounts at the Museum Gift Shop and other programs. Now, there're 10 internship opportunities.

1) Events & Exhibits Intern

Events & exhibits intern will assist in planning and evaluating special exhibits and public events, including Japanese Festival, Whitaker Music Festival and Best of Missouri Market and Carols in the garden. The position is created for recent graduates or students with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications. A valid driver's license and reliable vehicle are needed for the position. Internship lasts three and a half months and requires 12 to 20 work hours per week, including weekends and evenings.

Internships dates include:

- Spring: mid-JanuaryApril

- Summer: Maymid-August

- Fall: Septembermid-December

The unpaid internship can be arranged for college credit. Interns can also enjoy free admission to the garden and festivals and events at the garden. To apply for the position, please contact Chelsea Pedigo at 314-577-0855. Please email your resume and cover letter to Chelsea.pedigo@mobot.org.

2) GIS Intern

GIS interns will be responsible for GPS data collection, data entering, updating CAD As-Builts with GIS data and developing ArcGIS Server web-mapping applications. B.A. or B.S. applicants are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants must have demonstrated experience or coursework in ArcGIS. Ability to design web-mapping applications with ArcGIS Server is a plus.

GIS interns have three recruitments once a year, including Summer, Fall and Spring. The position requires 3-month commitment and work about 10 to 20 hours per week. Please contact Rebecca Sucher at 314-577-9407 to apply for the position. Send your resume and cover letter to Rebecca Sucher, Coordinator of Plant Records/Applications, Missouri Botanical Garden. Or you can email to Rebbeca.sucher@mobot.org.

3) Graphic Design Intern

Based on your skills and aptitude, the design intern can participate in the creative cycle, including design, proofing, and quote printing. Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and must show proficiency in Photoshop, InDesign and other skills. The graphic design interns work from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday with a commitment of 3 and half months.

If you're interested in the position, please contact Ellen Flesch, Senior Graphic Designer/Intern Coordinator. You can call 314-577-0851. Your resume and a pdf of 10 design samples are required to apply for the position.

4) Horticulture Intern

This is a year round internship opportunity. Interns will help the Horticulture staff and volunteers to maintain the native grounds, annual garden and other grounds. If you want to apply for the position, please contact the Butterfly House at 636-530-0076 ext. 12 or email to Jessica.deering@mobot.org. Please send your resume with references, internship application and a cover little to Butterfly House, 15193 Olive Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 60317 or fax to 636-530-1516.

5) Insect Keeper Intern

It is a year round entomology internship opportunity, including seasonal interns and weekend interns. The overall assignment includes assistance with the collection and shipment process. Specific responsibilities vary with different interns. The position works at the Butterfly House. Make sure to leave your name, phone number and area of interest to the Butterfly House office or you can fax your resume with references, internship application and a cover letter to 636-530-1516.

6) Social Media Intern

The unpaid position works under the Communications Department. Main responsibilities include assistance with developing and designing online content for the garden for special events, programs and other activities. Candidates must possess excellent writing skills and solid experience with online media applications and tools. Interested candidates can contact Rob Thurman for more info. Application materials, like your resume, writing samples and examples of web content, are needed to be emailed to rob.thurman@mobot.org.

Other internship opportunities include:

- Photography Intern

- Special Events Intern

- Animal Show Intern

- Guest and Volunteer Services Intern

Internships at Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/jobs/internhome.asp

The garden offers unique opportunities for volunteers. A satisfying and rewarding volunteering experience is guaranteed for each volunteer. Qualified individuals are always needed in many areas. Various current volunteering opportunities are provided. To see a complete list of current volunteer opportunities, the following website can be your guidance.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

http://www.mobot.org/volunteer/vopen.asp

To learn more volunteer info at Missouri Botanical Garden, please contact the Volunteer Program Management Office by calling 314-577-5187 or email to volunteer@mobot.org.

What's in bloom this season at Missouri Botanical Garden? Double daffodil, horned violet, saucer magnolia, flowering dogwood, kaufmanniana tulip, pasque flower, fernleaf peony, or hyacinths? From pure white to pure red, striped or speckled, all kinds of flowers are competing with each other in beauty and fascination. In honor of spring, let's take a romantic getaway to Missouri Botanical Garden.

Housing plants from all corners of the world under one roof, Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the nation. It's committed to uncovering the mysterious world of plants so as to establish an intimate relationship between nature and human. This oasis of the city covers 79 acres of horticultural display including the Japanese strolling garden, Children's Garden, Linnean House, Ottoman Garden, Tower Grove House, Victorian District and Kemper Center for Home Gardening.

To get a snapshot of Missouri Botanical Garden, please pay a visit to its homepage:

Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/default.asp

Garden Hours: The regular open hours of Missouri Botanical Garden are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. On December 24 and 31, the garden will be closed an hour earlier at 4:00 p.m. Morning walking hours are from 7 to 9 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The Ridgway Visitor Center of Missouri Botanical Garden is under special construction Apr. 1 through May 27. During the construction periods, Ridgway Visitor Center will be closed early at 3:00 pm on weekdays. The Garden grounds won't be closed until 5:00 pm. Garden grounds, Garden Gate Shop and Sassafras cafe can be accessed via the Linnean Plaza entrance, east of the visitor center, during construction. During the construction, the cafe is open until 3 pm and the Garden Gate Shop remains open to 5:30 pm daily. For additional info, download the following pdf:

Special Construction Info

http://www.mobot.org/visit/maps/AlternateEntranceLTR.pdf

Sassafras Cafe Hours: Sassafras is the first certified Green Restaurant in the state of Missouri. Sassafras Cafe in Missouri Botanical Garden can accommodate up to 130 guests inside and 100 guests outside. During the special construction, Sassafras can be accessed from Spoehrer Plaza through the outside back patio doors.

On weekdays from now through May 27, 2011, Sassafras Cafe is open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily. Lunch can be reserved from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. On weekends, it remains open from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and lunch can be reserved from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. For additional info, please visit:

Sassafras Cafe

http://www.mobot.org/shop/sassafras.asp

Terrace Cafe Hours: Terrace Cafe is situated near the Japanese Garden and Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden. This exquisite cafe boasts breezy interior, cozy outdoor seating with garden-furniture tables and chairs. No where else beats Terrace Cafe for a cup of afternoon tea with the tranquil setting.

Terrace Cafe is open seasonally from April through October. It's open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. On weekends, the cafe remains open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. There're 24 inside seats and 20 scattered outside seats. For additional info, please visit:

Terrace Cafe

http://www.mobot.org/shop/terracecafe.asp

Admission Prices: The general admission price for adults (age 13 and up) is $8 each. For St. Louis City / County residents, discounted prices at the rate of $4 are available. Senior residents aging 65 or older just need to pay $3 per visit. And it's free for garden members and children aging 12 or under.

Admission to Tower Grove House is included in the general admission. Yet you will be asked to pay extra money for visiting Children's Garden and Narrated Tram Tour. Tickets of Children's Garden are $5 for non-members and $3 for members. Narrated Tram Tour is available from April through October. It costs $4 each person. Parking is free at Missouri Botanical Garden.

Admission prices are subject to change. For up-to-dates admission info, keep a close eye on:

Hours & Admissions

http://www.mobot.org/visit/hours.asp

Missouri Botanical Gardens is easily one of the most beautiful treasures of St. Louis, Missouri. This is located at the Shaw Boulevard and can be accessed everyday from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon. Adults will be charged 8 dollars for the entrance fee.

Missouri Botanical Garden official website

http://www.mobot.org/default.asp

The Missouri Botanical Garden has 79 acres of lush magnificent gardens. Before visiting the place, you might want to prepare yourself for a breathtaking adventure of a lifetime. Make sure that you have brought your camera since there are plenty of things that you might want to capture in the photographs or in videos.

Toddlers can be brought with their parents. There is a children's garden here intended for children aged 12 and below. Adults do not have to pay for the admission fee in this garden if they have already paid in the main entrance.

It is also advised that travelers visiting this beautiful botanical garden to look for the Dale Chihuly glass. This is located at the entrances that will lead you to the Gladney Rose Garden. Aside from that, you must not miss the Henry Shaw summer house. This is a great place for those who would like to take a little glimpse of the history of Missouri.

Tourists should definitely eat at Sassafras, which is one of the eateries in the area. The food is reasonably priced and the menu is themed after various areas here. Lastly, make sure that you visit the gift shop.

Missouri Botanical Garden is popular that you may get more information on various sites.

Missouri Botanical Garden @ Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Botanical_Garden

Missouri Botanical garden at Yahoo! Travel

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2829334-missouri_botanical_garden_st_louis-i

Missouri Botanical Garden @ USA Today travel tips

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/botanical-gardens-st-louis-3866.html

Missouri Botanical garden at Virtual Tourist

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Missouri/Saint_Louis-818283/TravelGuide-Saint_Louis.html

Visitor's Guide to the Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.greatriverroad.com/stlouis/mobot.htm

This place located slap bang in the middle of St. Louis, Missouri is also known as the Shaw's Garden and is a really popular tourist attraction and houses a great variety of flora and also plays host to several special events and outdoor music and cultural events which one can definitely check out.

Picnics are usually not allowed on the Garden grounds but there are times during certain special events like Whitaker Music Festival which is organized in the Missouri Botanical Gardens, picnics are allowed and guests are actually encouraged to get their lawn chairs and blankets. Admission to this park depends on whether you are visiting this place for a special event and the time of year.

Missouri Botanical Garden Official Web Page

http://www.mobot.org/default.asp

Missouri Botanical Garden on WIKI

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Botanical_Garden

This center is also serving the city of St. Louis, MO as a very important center of education among children of the city. It provides with a number of educational programs for the children which it implements by way of several tie ups with the local schools in the city. It also has several outreach programs which involves adults with their primary aim to educate the entire population about the flora in general and also to make the garden as a result a more fulfilling experience.

Education in the Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/education/about.asp

This is also associated with a huge research establishment which has been set up to give greater knowledge about plant genetics with the seed bank facilities that it has.

Research wing of Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/mobot/research/

Missouri Botanical Garden is also informally referred to as Shaw's Garden in honor of the founder Henry Show. It is the oldest botanical garden and also a national historic landmark in the United States.

Located in south St. Louis, this landmark consists of 79 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens and ponds, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home and one of the largest collections of very unusual and endangered orchids in the world.

As a fabulous addition, the garden is also a place for festivals, concerts, shows, family activities and special events all year round. Whenever you choose to visit the park, there is something for everyone at any time of year. Now, skim over the upcoming events at the garden and find out what events are happening during your visit.

1) Treemendous

To celebrate the U.N. International Year of Forests, the garden hosts a Treemendous year of activities throughout 2011. Join the celebration, you can learn about the extraordinary value of trees and the important role they play in our lives. For more info and details about Treemendous, check this page:

Treemendous Year in Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/treemendous/

2) Whitaker Music Festival

Bring your family to enjoy Whitaker Music Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The festival features a series of free evening outdoor concerts from June to August. Everyone is welcome to bring chairs, blanket and food & beverage.

Music begins at 7:30pm through 9pm. After 5pm, the admission to the garden is free on concert day. The dates for Whitaker Music Festival concerts in 2011 include:

- June 1 - featuring Gumbohead, a full-blown Mardi Gras party

- June 8 - featuring Teddy Presberg, funky, soulful jazz

- June 15 - featuring Hudson and the Hoo Doo Cats, swingin', shufflin' blues, rockabilly and dance

- June 22 - featuring the Jenny Kavanaugh Band, diverse alt-country

- June 29 - featuring Nigel Mooney, Ireland's leading jazz singer and guitarist

- July 6 - featuring Marquise Knox, blues prodigy

- July 13 - featuring the Western Satellites, Americana blues swing

- July 20 - featuring Billy Peek, St. Louis rock and roll legand

- July 27 - featuring the Erin Bode Group, jazz and pop

- August 3 - featuring Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, jazz, ragtime, country blues and western swing

You can learn more about Whitaker Music Festival on this page:

Whitaker Music Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/events/Whitaker/default.asp

3) Plastic Pot Recycling

Join this meaningful program to help reduce the amount of horticultural waster in landfills. During April 4 to October 31, 2011, the garden hosts a significant program called Plastic Pot Recycling. This is the most extensive public garden recycling program in the country. Want to know how the program works? Check this page:

Plastic Pot Recycling Program at Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/plasticpotrecycling/

The Missouri Botanical Garden also hosts many famous annual cultural festivals, include:

1) Orchid Show

The garden is home to one of the world's premier orchid collections. During orchid show, visitors can see up to 800 blooming orchids in luxuriant, tropical display infused with an eclectic mix of Maya-themed accents. This show is the only time of year when visitors can appreciate a vast, rotating selection from the garden's orchid collections.

The orchid show in 2011 is held on January 29 through March 27, during the hours of 9am to 5pm. To appreciate the show, you will be charged $5, except the garden admission. For more info about the show, visit this page:

Orchid Show at Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/events/orchidshow/default.asp

2) Chinese Cultural Days

Each year, Missouri Botanical Garden celebrates Chinese Cultural Days with a big festival featuring a grand parade with 70-foot dancing dragon, Chinese calligraphy, painting, martial arts and genuine regional cuisine. Festival participants also have opportunities to enjoy t'ai chi and tea tasting in the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden.

This year's Chinese Cultural Days celebration is coming soon. The festival hours are from 10am to 5pm from May 21 to 22, 2011. There is an additional admission to the festival, with a fee of $12 for adults (aged 13 - 64), $10 for seniors (aged 65 and up) and $5 for children (aged 3 - 12). If you are interested, plan your visit as soon as possible.

3) Japanese Festival

In celebration of the history, culture and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its sort in the nation. With authentic Japanese music, art, dance, food and entertainment, it attracts thousands upon thousands of visitors each year.

This annual festival in 2011 will be held on September 3 through 5. The admission is $15 for adults aged 13 to 64, $10 for seniors aged 65 and up and $5 for children aged 3 to 12. To learn more about Japanese Festival, check this page:

Japanese Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/events/japanesefestival/hours_prices.asp

Are you a member of Missouri Botanical Garden? There are also members-only events specially designated for you. The upcoming events for members include:

- Members Day: Herb Gardening - April 28, 2011

- Members Event: Bird Watching at Shaw Nature Reserve - May 5, 2011

- Members Day: Sustainable Gardening - June 3, 2011

- Members Event: Rose Evening - June 6, 2011

- St. Louis Garden Tour - June 12, 2011

- Midsummer Night's Dance - June 17, 2011

- Members Event: Musical Evening - June 21, 2011

To explore more members-only events and event details, check this page:

Upcoming Members-Only Events at Missouri Botanical Garden

http://www.mobot.org/events/calendarcatview.asp?cat=1

Of course, the events at the garden are more than them. There are fun activities, events, shows or exhibitions almost every day. To explore more events at the Missouri Botanical Garden, click here:

Missouri Botanical Garden Event Calendar

http://www.mobot.org/events/calendar.asp