Friends Of The Garden

10/14/2026

As Mariah defrosts, we are getting ready for Gardens Aglow 2026! Here is some behind the scenes at how we store these 225,000 lights. More event details to come!

Send a message to learn more

10/13/2026

There are 7 families of butterflies in the world and Missouri has 5 of them.
Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies) is the largest butterfly family with over 6,000 species recorded! They have two front legs that are reduced to brush debris and water from their face. Some examples are fritillaries, monarch, red-spotted admiral, and red admiral.
Papilionidae (Swallowtail Butterflies) are known for the classic tail on their hind wings. Some examples are the zebra, giant, tiger, and spicebush swallowtail.
Pieridae (Whites and Sulphurs) are known for yellow, orange, and white butterflies. Some examples include sulfurs, sleepy orange, cabbage and checkered whites.
Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged Butterflies) is the second largest butterfly family. Some examples include the common blue, american copper, oak hairstreaks, and swamp metalmark.
Hesperiidae (Skippers) are recognized by their skip like flight pattern. Some examples are the silver spotted skipper and the grass skipper.

10/09/2026

Ready for some fall foliage at the botanical center? We are!
📸Gage Rudick

10/08/2026

Got a golf cart gathering dust?

Friends of the Garden is looking for a WORKING golf cart, ideally a 4 seater, to help staff and volunteers move people and supplies around the gardens. With Gardens Aglow setup beginning, the timing couldn't be better.

Your donation is tax deductible, and you'll see it put to good use every time you visit. Not ready to part with yours? We'd welcome a loaner for the season too.

Have one, or know someone who does? Message us or call 417-874-2952.

10/08/2026

Beautiful weather, a garden full of friends, and so much support for the work happening at the Springfield Botanical Gardens.

We shared this note with our newsletter readers last weekend, and we want everyone who was part of the evening to see it too. Take a minute to read our thank you for everyone who made the Garden Gala this year possible.

After last year’s unexpected change of plans, it was especially wonderful to see the evening we had envisioned come to life — beautiful weather, a garden full of friends, and so much enthusiasm for the work happening at the Springfield Botanical Gardens. We’ve heard so many kind words about th...

10/06/2026

How to rear native silk moth caterpillars and where to find their food!

10/05/2026

That's a wrap on the butterfly house season! Thank you to all visitors, volunteers, and donors for keeping this place magical another year! We hope you will still visit our gardens, and the butterflies will see you next May!
A special shoutout to our butterfly house sponsors Sunshine Valley Farmstand and Central Bank of the Ozarks
To contribute to the butterfly house use this link: https://75823.blackbaudhosting.com/75823/Roston-Native-Butterfly-House