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M I S S O U R I B O T A N I C A L G A R D E N4344 Shaw Boulevard • Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
(314) 577-9400 • www.mobot.org
historyDesigned by award-winning Chinese American architect YongPan, the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden was dedicated in 1996to commemorate the longstanding scientific and culturalexchanges between the Missouri Botanical Garden and Chinesebotanical institutions. The garden also honors the sister-cityrelationship between St. Louis and Nanjing established in 1979,the first such relationship between the United States and China.Major features of the garden were gifts from the city of Nanjing;in return, the Garden and the city of St. Louis gave Nanjing achildren’s playground. Construction of the Chinese garden wasmade possible by a gift from Margaret Grigg Oberheide inmemory of her parents, Estelle and Robert Blanke.
D O N O R O P P O R T U N I T I E S
You can make a difference in the Garden. Special namingopportunities exist for honoring or memorializing your loved ones. For information, contact the Development Office at (314) 577-5120.
C H I N E S E G A R D E N
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look down at the pictures made with stones. What dothey look like to you? These are called “mosaics” and show the symbols for the Emperor and Empress of China.
listen to the flowing water. In Chinese tradition, a gardenmust have flowing water to be living just as we need bloodto flow in our bodies. What do you think would be the“bones” of the garden? (stones) Where are the “eyes” of the garden? (windows)
smell the air. Are there potted flowers nearby? Are any ofthe shrubs in bloom? We have special plants here in everyseason. And the plants all have a meaning in Chineseculture (see list on other side).
touch the marble flowers on the bridge railings. Howmany patterns can you find? These are lotus blossoms,which symbolize new life and reach up to the heavens.
taste? We don’t eat here, but this type of garden wouldhave been used in ancient China for dinner parties andrelaxing with friends. Where do you like to relax with yourfriends? If this were your garden, what would you do in it?
how many can you find?__________ marble lotus flowers
__________ frogs in the pond
__________ big stones (tai hu)
__________ mosaics
__________ bamboo plants
making sense of the chinese garden
1 . M O O N G AT E This traditional entrance is circular, a symbolof perfection. The stone over the gate is carved Yu Ning Yuan,literally “Friendship Nanjing Garden.” The entrance leads tothe central pool and pavilion area, the spiritual heart of thegarden, on a path decorated with colorful mosaics.
2 . E R O D E D S T O N E S (Tai Hu) For centuries, prized bouldersof limestone have been taken from Tai Hu (Lake Tai) in theJiangsu Province near Nanjing. A white marble balustradeoverlooks the water and a phoenix mosaic, symbol of theempress. Both the overlook and the white marble bridgewere carved in China.
3 . PAV I L I O N (T’ing) Fabricated in Nanjing and reassembledon site, the structure fits together like an intricate Chinesepuzzle. Only the roof is fastened with nails. The columns areeach a single tree. The massive ceramic tile roof is adramatic swooping shape that seems to float, suspended from its lotus flower finial.
4 . L O T U S G AT E The “eyes” (windows) in the wall provideglimpses of the bamboo grove beyond. The low relief alongthe wall depicts a contemporary view of Nanjing as seen fromthe Qinhuai River, and leads to a massive wooden exit gateroofed with black tiles and carved with lotus flower motifs.
C H I N E S E P L A N T S China has some 30,000 species of plants,about 8% of the world’s total, almost twice as many as thecontinental United States. Many of our most familiarornamentals originated in China, including azaleas andrhododendrons, camellias, gardenias, hibiscus, peonies,chrysanthemums, and ginkgos.
While the Chinese Garden is built in the style of southernChina, the climate in St. Louis resembles that of northernChina. Many of the species planted in this garden are hardyvarieties chosen to resemble the traditional plants of southerngardens. Tender ornamentals, including bananas, gardenias,and palms, are displayed in containers during warm weather.
Centuries of tradition and appreciation have imparted aesthetic,spiritual, even mystical significance to many species for theChinese. They use plants sparingly in their gardens and selecteach specimen for its symbolic meanings.
Bamboo Used for its beauty, the rustling sound of its leaves,and the feathery shadows it casts, bamboo is an evergreen,one of the “three friends of winter,” and represents a strongbut resilient character.
Pine Another evergreen “friend of winter,” pines symbolizelongevity, persistence, tenacity, and dignity.
Lotus The sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, with lovely whiteand pink blossoms emerging from the mud beneath the waterwhere it grows, represents the soul battling against the materialworld to reach the light.
Flowering Plum The third “friend of winter,” Prunus mumeputs forth masses of blossoms, often while the garden is stillcovered with snow, a symbol of renewal. The MissouriBotanical Garden Press, in conjunction with Science Press ofBeijing, publishes the Flora of China, a 50-volume referenceslated for completion in 2010.
Chrysanthemum Prized for their beauty and medicinal qualities,the Chinese species Chrysanthemum morifiolium is theancestor of many ornamental mums available today and symbolizes splendor.
Peony Symbolizing wealth, peonies are prized in China for theirimpressive flowers and medicinal roots. Tree peonies, Paeoniasuffruticosa, called the “king of flowers,” were forced intobloom for use in Imperial palaces.
Banana Banana trees are common in Chinese gardens in warmregions. Like bamboos, bananas are valued especially for thesounds made by wind and raindrops on their broad leaves.
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Welcome to the Missouri Botanical Garden’s ChineseGarden, the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden. Landscapedesign has been of great significance in Chinese culture for more than 2,500 years, blending the traditional arts of landscaping with painting, poetry, and calligraphy. Learn about this storied history as you tour the garden.
