Yucca thompsoniana (Thompson's Yucca)

tall spikes with creamy-white flowers

Allium giganteum (Giant Flowering Onion)

large spheres of purple flowers on tall stems

Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer' Arctic Summer (Mullein)

tall spikes of yellow flowers top hairy silvery leaves and stems

Roads Water-Smart Garden (Garden Features)

The Roads Water-Smart Garden is beautiful during May and June. A mix of iris, penstemon and cacti, among many other flowers, bloom this month.

Beehive (Garden Features)

Look up at the wall near the Conservatory to see the beehives. Can you see honeybees flying in and out?

Kniphofia thodei

orange and white blooming plant from Lesotho that was collected in the wild

Calycanthus 'Aphrodite' (Sweetshrub)

wine red flowers on shrub

Stanleya pinnata (Prince's Plume)

bright yellow flower spikes on this southwestern native species

Nexus Garden (Garden Features)

The Nexus Garden is in full bloom in May and June with iceplants, cacti and penstemon.

Syringa reticulata ssp. pekinensis (Pekin Lilac)

fragrant white flowering tree

Iris 'Yasha' (Species Hybrid Iris)

tall flowering iris in the water

Castilleja integra (Paintbrush)

pasque flower are true harbingers of spring - this particular species is exceptionally hairy and when the sun is at the right angle, it nearly glows

Laura Smith Porter Plains Garden (Garden Features)

The Plains Garden has many early season flowers this month. Opuntia, Castilleja, and Delphinium are providing bright splashes among the green prairie grasses.

Rock Alpine Garden (Garden Features)

The Rock Alpine Garden has thousands of different plant varieties growing on about one acre. This areas bursts into color in late spring with plants from many steppe and alpine areas around the world. In the late summer and fall it transforms with brightly colored fruit, golden flowers of the aster family, and the brilliant blues only found in gentians. Winter in the Rock Alpine Garden can teach us how shadows impact the temperatures of the environment. Note how snow remains on the southern border areas while melting quickly in the central meadow.

The Willow Glade in Celebration of Brandon Mandelbaum (Garden Features)

a waterfall and native plantings create beautiful views into the surrounding gardens

Clematis integrifolia (Solitary Clematis)

blue-purple bell shaped nodding flowers

Eremurus Spring Valley Hybrids (Foxtail Lily)

tall spikes of pastel colored flowers

Philadelphus × virginalis 'Minnesota Snowflake' (Mock Orange)

large shrub with fragrant white flowers

Clematis 'Ville de Lyon' (Clematis)

large bright pink flowers on vine near pillar

Colorado (Garden Features)

colorful glass sculpture in the Ellipse Garden

The Ellipse in honor of Nancy Schotters (Garden Features)

The Ellipse Garden is in full and fragrant bloom in late spring through early summer. A large number of roses, peonies, iris and daylilies can be seen flowering in the area between May and July.

O'Fallon Perennial Walk (Garden Features)

The O'Fallon Perennial Walk is in full bloom in its 3rd year of growth since being redesigned.

Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' (Smoke Tree)

large shrubs with dark red-purple foliage and plumes of flowers reminiscent of billowing smoke