Jan. 31 through Mar. 15
Experience the color, beauty, and fragrance of orchids in bloom in the middle of winter. "Henry's Garden" annual orchid show features 800 orchids from one of the world’s premier collections in a formal Victorian setting. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Garden admission plus $3. Free for members.

Through Feb. 1
Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis show and sale. New cultivars and old favorites are shown and sold by the area’s top growers, who are on hand to give plant care advice and share information about their organization. Beaumont Room, Ridgway Visitor Center. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Included with Garden admission or membership.

Feb. 7
Backyard Bird Festival. Bundle up and bring your binoculars for a bird-watching bonanza! Adults and children of all ages can brush up on their birding skills with guided walks, identification tips, live exhibits, and informative classes for beginners to advanced birders. 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. $18 per person; $15 Garden members. Pre-registration required; (314) 577-9506 or download registration form.

Feb. 8
“Celebrate the Gospel.” Commemorate Black History Month with the Garden’s 20th annual gospel music celebration. Featured singer Mardra Thomas has programmed and will perform musical selections ranging from Negro spirituals to contemporary gospel songs in honor of the historic election of the nation’s first African-American president. 3 p.m. Shoenberg Theater. Limited seating first-come, first-served.

Feb. 12
"Happy Birthday, Darwin!" In honor of the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, the Missouri Botanical Garden hosts speakers Dr. Ursula Goodenough, Professor of Biology at Washington University; Dr. Patricia Parker, Desmond Lee Professor of Zoological Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Senior Scientist at the Saint Louis Zoo; and Dr. Alan Templeton, Charles Rebstock Professor of Biology and Professor of Genetics and Biomedical Engineering at Washington University. Topics include genetics and human evolution, birds of the Galapagos Islands, and evolution and religious naturalism. 7 p.m. Shoenberg Theater. Free.

Feb. 14
Members’ Event: Valentine’s Dinner Dance. Enjoy a gourmet dinner, stroll through the Orchid Show, and dance the night away with your special someone at this members-only evening. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Monsanto Hall, Ridgway Visitor Center. $60 per person. Advance reservations required. Call (314) 577-9570 or (314) 577-5154.

Feb. 21 & 22
Sugared, Spiced and Everything Iced. Displays and demonstrations of sugar art on cakes and cookies exquisitely hand-decorated by local experts. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Feb. 21 & 22
Gardening Blitz Weekend. A weekend of fun and educational classes on topics from perennials to cooking, watercolor to photography. Sign up for only one class or as many as you like. Fees vary from $25 to $50 for individual classes. Pre-registration required; (314) 577-9441 or www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp.

Feb. 25
“New Thoughts and Practices for Planting Trees and Shrubs” class. Stem girdling roots and pot bound plants are serious threats to the long term survival of your garden landscape. Learn to adjust practices so new plants not only survive, but thrive. For professional and advanced gardeners. 7 to 9 p.m. Ridgway Visitor Center, Missouri Room. $35. Pre-registration required; (314) 577 9441. For a complete list of over 100 spring-summer classes for adults, visit www.gardeninghelp.org and click on “Spring 2009 classes.”

Through Mar. 29
"Orchid Portraits," an exhibition of fine art orchid photography by Charles Rowden.

January through March
Please note: Narrated tram tours, Tower Grove House, and the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden are not available during the winter months. Seasonal operations will resume on April 1.

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

Email Web Comments: Rob Thurman