Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Jennie Latzer Kaeser Memorial Maze
Hedge mazes are thought to have evolved from "knot gardens" of Renaissance Europe, and were first constructed during the mid-16th century. Many Victorian gardens had plantings like this that were both fanciful and mysterious.
Several mazes in England could have been Henry Shaw's inspiration for the mazes he constructed in St. Louis. Shaw's first was in Tower Grove Park. Trapezoidal design was planted with hemlock, spruce, and cedar hedges surrounded by a row of Osage orange.
This garden area, including the maze, has been designed in the style of Henry Shaw's original garden. Originally planted in 1986, this maze recreates the one designed by Shaw in the late 1800s. The intricate winding maze with sunken hedges and a gazebo in the center once stood just south of where the Climatron is today.
The view from Piper Observatory is a favorite, especially when watching others wind their way along the paths and dead-ends.
Erected by Missouri Botanical Garden.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1986.
Location. 38° 36.668′ N, 90° 15.481′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri
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Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mazes (a few steps from this marker); Observatories (a few steps from this marker); The Frank H. and Julia Mohlman Piper Memorial Observatory (a few steps from this marker); Why a Pincushion Garden? (a few steps from this marker); Magnolia (within shouting distance of this marker); Dyes (within shouting distance of this marker); Shoenberg Administration Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Medicinal Herbs (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.
Additional keywords. landscape architecture
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 473 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
