Party Like a Botanist

The day lilies at the Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw Boulevard; 314-577-9400 or www.mobot.org) are at their peak. Their Latin name means "beautiful for a day," so there's no time like the present to see these frilly beauties, especially since garden admission is free all day today (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in honor of founder Henry Shaw's 208th birthday. The celebration includes tours of Shaw's own Victorian-era Tower Grove House and a Victorian fashion parade, as well as a costumed Henry Shaw look-alike and an organ-grinder. If you get there early, there may still be free birthday cookies available (while supplies last). Corsets and bonnets, and waistcoats and top hats, are not required.
Thu., July 24, 2008