On display through October
Floral Clock. A 20-foot-diameter working clock, created entirely of plant material, has been added to the Missouri Botanical Garden’s landscape in honor of the institution’s 150th anniversary. Don’t miss the cuckoo bird popping from his home every quarter-hour! View the decorative clock near the historic reflecting pools adjacent to the Climatron® dome. Learn more.

On display through October
EarthWays Living the Green Life Exhibit. Learn about sustainable living from booths showcasing goods, services and information with an environmental edge. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brookings Interpretive Center. More information.

July 1
Whitaker Music Festival. Free evening outdoor concert features masters of swing Dizzy Atmosphere. Lawn seating; bring chairs or a blanket. Picnicking is permitted after 5 p.m.; pack a picnic or purchase sandwiches and beverages on site. No pets, barbecue grills or smoking. Music at begins 7:30 p.m. Free admission after 5 p.m.; last entry at 9 p.m. The Children’s Garden remains open with free admission from 5 to 7 p.m. Cohen Amphitheater lawn. Sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation.

July 2 & 5, 9 & 12, 16 & 19, 23 & 26, and 30
The Missouri Botanical Garden and Saint Louis Art Museum have partnered to offer themed, guided tours in July. Visit the Garden from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings to stroll through the Lichtenstein Victorian District, where docents will be stationed throughout offering information and insight. Head to the Art Museum at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays for a tour highlighting flowers and other botanical references in the collections. Tours are included with Garden Party Nights or Museum admission. www.slam.org; www.mobot.org.

July 2
Garden Party Nights. The Missouri Botanical Garden is open late on Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day in honor of its 150th anniversary. Enjoy family entertainment, adult wine tastings, and the beauty of the Garden after-hours. 5 to 9 p.m. $7 adults, $3 children (3-12), $5 Garden members. Children’s Garden open until 8 p.m. and included with event admission.

July 6 through 10
Camp MBG – FUNdamentals of Forests and Prairies. Study Missouri’s native ecosystems at the Garden to learn about the landscape before big cities, farms and highways. For children entering grades four through six in Fall 2009. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $184. Pre-registration required; (314) 577-9506. For a complete program list, visit www.mobot.org/education/kids_families.asp.

July 7
Robert B. Haas lecture and book signing. Haas is author and photographer of a series of six photographic books. Since 2002, his artistry has focused primarily on aerial photography. His work is on display through July 8 at the Missouri Botanical Garden in the National Geographic exhibition, “Through the Eyes of the Condor.” Lecture at 2 p.m. in the Shoenberg Theater; book signing at 3 p.m. in the Garden Gate Shop. Included with Garden admission.

July 8
Members’ Day: Plants and Animals at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Learn about the important interactions between plants and animals that help keep Earth’s ecosystems in balance and benefit us all. Curator talk followed by private tour. 11 a.m. This event is held at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House.

Through July 8
National Geographic’s “Through the Eyes of the Condor,” an exhibition of images from Latin America by renowned aerial photographer Robert B. Haas. The Missouri Botanical Garden conducts ongoing scientific research and conservation work in most of the countries depicted in the exhibition.

July 8
Whitaker Music Festival. Free evening outdoor concert features Motown, blues and funk by the Tony Simmons Band. Lawn seating; bring chairs or a blanket. Picnicking is permitted after 5 p.m.; pack a picnic or purchase sandwiches and beverages on site. No pets, barbecue grills or smoking. Music at begins 7:30 p.m. Free admission after 5 p.m.; last entry at 9 p.m. The Children’s Garden remains open with free admission from 5 to 7 p.m. Cohen Amphitheater lawn. Sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation.

July 9
Garden Party Nights. The Missouri Botanical Garden is open late on Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day in honor of its 150th anniversary. Enjoy family entertainment, adult wine tastings, and the beauty of the Garden after-hours. 5 to 9 p.m. $7 adults, $3 children (3-12), $5 Garden members. Children’s Garden open until 8 p.m. and included with event admission.

July 9
The Missouri Botanical Garden and Saint Louis Art Museum have partnered to offer themed, guided tours in July. Visit the Garden from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings to stroll through the Lichtenstein Victorian District, where docents will be stationed throughout offering information and insight. Head to the Art Museum at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays for a tour highlighting flowers and other botanical references in the collections. Tours are included with Garden Party Nights or Museum admission. www.slam.org; www.mobot.org.

July 10
Members’ Event: Members’ Family Picnic. Bring your picnic basket and join hundred of members and their families for an evening of crafts, face painting, entertainment and more. 6 to 9 p.m. Cohen Amphitheater. Free for Garden members and their guests. Advance reservations required; (314) 577-9570 or RSVP online today. For more information, call (314) 577-5154.

July 10 through Sept. 30
“Madagascar,” an exhibition by renowned National Geographic nature photographer Frans Lanting. The Garden conducts significant scientific research and conservation work on the island of Madagascar.

July 11 & 12
Silver Cat jewelry trunk show. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Garden Gate Shop.

July 15
Whitaker Music Festival. Free evening outdoor concert features American folk-rock traditions by Rogers, Nienhaus and Crawford. Lawn seating; bring chairs or a blanket. Picnicking is permitted after 5 p.m.; pack a picnic or purchase sandwiches and beverages on site. No pets, barbecue grills or smoking. Music at begins 7:30 p.m. Free admission after 5 p.m.; last entry at 9 p.m. The Children’s Garden remains open with free admission from 5 to 7 p.m. Cohen Amphitheater lawn. Sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation.

July 16
Garden Party Nights. The Missouri Botanical Garden is open late on Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day in honor of its 150th anniversary. Enjoy family entertainment, adult wine tastings, and the beauty of the Garden after-hours. 5 to 9 p.m. $7 adults, $3 children (3-12), $5 Garden members. Children’s Garden open until 8 p.m. and included with event admission.

July 16
The Missouri Botanical Garden and Saint Louis Art Museum have partnered to offer themed, guided tours in July. Visit the Garden from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings to stroll through the Lichtenstein Victorian District, where docents will be stationed throughout offering information and insight. Head to the Art Museum at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays for a tour highlighting flowers and other botanical references in the collections. Tours are included with Garden Party Nights or Museum admission. www.slam.org; www.mobot.org.

July 18
Healthy You, Healthy Planet Festival, presented by the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University. Learn how to live a healthy, green lifestyle and participate in St. Louis’ Biggest Stretch. Learn about healthy cooking habits, ways to prevent diseases, and the amazing power of plants through expert-led talks. Experts will also offer free health screenings and information about traditional remedies and the healing arts of horticulture therapy. St. Louis Children’s Hospital will offer healthy activities for children in the “Kids Corner,” including face painters. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Included with Garden admission. Learn more.

July 18
John Pils signing and trunk show. Noon to 4 p.m. Garden Gate Shop.

July 22
Whitaker Music Festival. Free evening outdoor concert features new world music by Farshid Etniko. Lawn seating; bring chairs or a blanket. Picnicking is permitted after 5 p.m.; pack a picnic or purchase sandwiches and beverages on site. No pets, barbecue grills or smoking. Music at begins 7:30 p.m. Free admission after 5 p.m.; last entry at 9 p.m. TThe Children’s Garden remains open with free admission from 5 to 7 p.m. Cohen Amphitheater lawn. Sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation.

July 23
Garden Party Nights. The Missouri Botanical Garden is open late on Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day in honor of its 150th anniversary. Enjoy family entertainment, adult wine tastings, and the beauty of the Garden after-hours. 5 to 9 p.m. $7 adults, $3 children (3-12), $5 Garden members. Children’s Garden open until 8 p.m. and included with event admission.

July 23
The Missouri Botanical Garden and Saint Louis Art Museum have partnered to offer themed, guided tours in July. Visit the Garden from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings to stroll through the Lichtenstein Victorian District, where docents will be stationed throughout offering information and insight. Head to the Art Museum at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays for a tour highlighting flowers and other botanical references in the collections. Tours are included with Garden Party Nights or Museum admission. www.slam.org; www.mobot.org.

July 23
CANCELLED - The Global Garden speaker series featuring Dr. Tom Swetnam has been cancelled.

July 24
Petal Pedal. Travel all or part of the five-mile Bike St. Louis route from the Missouri Botanical Garden to Tower Grove Park. Open to all ages (no riders using training wheels). Register between 10 and 11 a.m. at the Garden’s east parking lot, 4344 Shaw Blvd. Free. Presented by THF Realty in partnership with the Missouri Botanical Garden, REI and St. John’s Mercy Medical Center. www.trailnet.org.

July 24
“Three Stars over the Garden” concert featuring Chuck Berry. The Missouri Botanical Garden celebrates its 150th anniversary in rocking style with its first-ever ticketed outdoor concert event featuring “The Father of Rock and Roll,” recording artist and native St. Louisan Chuck Berry. Doors open at 6 p.m.; concert begins at 8 p.m. Lawn seating only; tickets are $60 for the general public and $50 for Missouri Botanical Garden members. General public ticket sales open Monday, May 11 at noon; Garden members can take advantage of a limited, pre-sale opportunity beginning Monday, May 4 at noon. Purchase tickets online or on site at the Garden. Limit four tickets per person, per transaction. No phone orders. No refunds or exchanges; all sales are final.

July 24
Missouri Botanical Garden founder Henry Shaw’s 209th birthday celebration. Admission is free for all visitors from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.! Old-fashioned entertainment includes music, a silhouette artist, stilt-walker, magician, actors in Victorian fashions, children’s games, and fun in the Children’s Garden. Activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Spoehrer Plaza, outside the Ridgway Visitor Center.

July 25 through Aug. 2
Henry Shaw Cactus Society show and sale. Choose from a wide array of cacti and succulents shown and sold by the area’s top growers. Cactus Society members will give demonstrations and plant care advice. Orthwein Floral Display Hall, Ridgway Visitor Center. July 25, noon to 5 p.m.; July 26 through Aug. 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Included with Garden admission or membership.

July 25 & 26
Sew Good and Trendy trunk show features purses and bags made from eco-friendly materials. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Garden Gate Shop.

July 28
The Missouri Botanical Garden receives the prestigious Horticultural Landmark designation from the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS). The award will be presented to Garden President Dr. Peter H. Raven by ASHS President John R. Clark at a special evening dedication ceremony. Open to the public. 5 to 6:30 p.m. Spink Pavilion. Learn more: www.ashs.org.

July 29
Whitaker Music Festival. Free evening outdoor concert features public entertainer number-one Ralph Butler. Lawn seating; bring chairs or a blanket. Picnicking is permitted after 5 p.m.; pack a picnic or purchase sandwiches and beverages on site. No pets, barbecue grills or smoking. Music at begins 7:30 p.m. Free admission after 5 p.m.; last entry at 9 p.m. TThe Children’s Garden remains open with free admission from 5 to 7 p.m. Cohen Amphitheater lawn. Sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation.

July 30
Garden Party Nights. The Missouri Botanical Garden is open late on Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day in honor of its 150th anniversary. Enjoy family entertainment, adult wine tastings, and the beauty of the Garden after-hours. 5 to 9 p.m. $7 adults, $3 children (3-12), $5 Garden members. Children’s Garden open until 8 p.m. and included with event admission.

July 30
The Missouri Botanical Garden and Saint Louis Art Museum have partnered to offer themed, guided tours in July. Visit the Garden from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings to stroll through the Lichtenstein Victorian District, where docents will be stationed throughout offering information and insight. Head to the Art Museum at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays for a tour highlighting flowers and other botanical references in the collections. Tours are included with Garden Party Nights or Museum admission. www.slam.org; www.mobot.org.

Through Sept. 30
Plastic Pot Recycling. Close the gardening loop! Recycle plastic garden pots, cell packs and trays. Plastic should be empty of soil with no metal hangers or rings; no clay pots or food plastic accepted. Please separate #6 plastic cell packs and trays from #2 and #5 plastic pots into the recycling trailers. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. West parking lot of the Garden’s Monsanto Center, 4500 Shaw Blvd. at Vandeventer. (314) 577-9440. For a complete list of satellite collection centers throughout the metro area, visit www.mobot.org/plasticpotrecycling.

Click here for hours, admission, directions, and parking information.

Email Web Comments: Rob Thurman