Friends Of The Garden

05/27/2026

🌱 This year's Garden Gala is going garden-to-table — and we need YOUR garden to make it happen!

Grow a little extra this season and help us feed 250 guests at our Garden Gastronomy gala. Every extra row counts.

Learn more & sign up to help at: friendsofthegarden.org/growing-together-special-edition/

05/27/2026

Caterpillar anatomy:

Caterpillars are the larva stage to many insects like moths and butterflies!

Like all insects they have a segmented body, head, thorax, and abdomen. They also have 6 true legs but unlike adult insects they have small false legs called prolegs to help them move along leaves. Spiracles help caterpillars breathe!

Caterpillars are also equipped with loads of defenses. They can have defensive spikes, colors, and shapes that help them stay safe against predators. As they eat, they shed their skin and each shed they change their defenses!
📸Chris Barnhart

05/22/2026

Diana fritillaries are a locally extinct species in Missouri that we have at the butterfly house!
They are typically found in forest habitats, and their main threats are forest management practices like logging and spraying pesticides. The butterfly house is making conservation efforts to establish larger populations of Dianas. We have been marking individuals with butterfly safe paint to get stronger genetic populations to raise their next generation!
Caterpillars eat violet leaves and as adults fed on many nectar plants! Males and females look different where males are orange and females are blue!
Come see our Diana fritillaries at the Roston native butterfly house!
📸Chris Barnhart
🦋

05/19/2026

🌧️💧 On a rainy day like today, there may be no better garden to spotlight than the beautiful Rain Garden at the Springfield Botanical Gardens.

Located along the southeast corner of the Botanical Center, the Rain Garden is more than just beautiful — it’s a living system designed to collect and naturally filter rain runoff from the roof and parking lot before the water reaches South Creek. Through thoughtful planting and natural root filtration, this garden helps slow, clean, and manage stormwater while creating the peaceful feeling of a natural wetland.

We’re incredibly grateful to the people who help care for this unique and important space:

🌿 Sponsored by George and Linda Deatz
🌿 Adopted by Yvette Harris

Their support helps ensure this highly visible garden remains both functional and beautiful for the thousands of guests who enjoy the Gardens each year.

Next time you visit after a spring rain, take a moment to stop by the Rain Garden and appreciate the quiet work it’s doing beneath the beauty. 💙

05/17/2026

Romance in the Garden is a perfect way to experience the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden after hours with a loved one or friend! Registration closes June 5th, so don't wait!

Register online here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/parkboardspringfieldmo/activity/search/detail/37885?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

05/11/2026

LATEST INFORMATION! MASTER GAEDNER OFFICIAL STATE CONFRENCE 2025 - NEW SPECIAL PACKAGE PRICING - In Person June 4-7, 2026: You do not have to be a Master Gardener to attend. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Greene County, Springfield, MO (MGGC). For Complete State Conference Details, Click Here: https://conta.cc/4espNxN --Repost GD Master Gardeners of Greene County, Springfield, MO

Email from Master Gardeners of Greene County, Missouri Special Conference Packages Have Been Added View as Webpage Missouri Master Gardener Conference June 4-7, 2026 Springfield, Missouri Special Con

05/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the Friends of the Garden Annual Meeting at Garden Day 🌷☀️🌳 2026!

There is still plenty going on throughout the day, including the Ozark Soul Native Plants sale, lemonade and kettle corn at Pour Decision's Kettle Co., free admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, and the Roston Native Butterfly House has opened for the season! The Gray Campbell Farmstead is also hosting its Spring Showcase until 4 pm! Plus, it's a nice day, and the gardens are BEAUTIFUL! Come out and enjoy Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park!

If you want to hear about all the great things that happened in 2025, you can view our Annual Report here: https://bit.ly/2025_FOG_Annual_Report

01/01/2026

'A New Year Floral' --Photo & Message - Shared by Nancy: "Happy New Year... Let’s all have a healthy, happy and Blessed 2026!" PS: "Happy New Year to all the friends who liked my posts over the years." Our thanks to Nancy for the beauty she shares! --Post GD for Friends of the Garden & Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park

12/30/2025

Friends of the Garden is deeply saddened by the passing of Hearld Ambler, a generous donor and longtime supporter of the Springfield Botanical Gardens. Hearld’s legacy lives on through the Ambler Fountains, the beautiful centerpiece of the Sensory Garden, where the sound and movement of water continue to bring peace and joy to visitors of all ages.

We are grateful for Hearld’s vision, kindness, and commitment to our community. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones. His impact will be felt in the Gardens for generations to come. Learn more about Hearld and his legacy here: https://dukerandhaugh.com/obituaries/hearld-ambler/