Hi, I’m Frost or Hairy Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum)!

I’m a native Missouri wildflower, also called Hairy Aster, and I bloom from late summer through fall (August to October). I can grow about 4 feet tall and just as wide, with leafy stems that sometimes branch. My flowers grow in branching clusters at the tops of my stems and where my upper leaves meet the stem. Each flower has 15 to 35 white petal-like rays surrounding a center of pale yellow disc flowers, which turn reddish-purple as they age.

Can you spot me in Tower Grove Park?

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Howdy, park-goers! It's time for October 2026 Tree of the Month. This month we're highlighting the Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra).

Northern Red Oak is a large, deciduous tree native to the forests of eastern North America, including Missouri, where it’s typically found on north- and  east-facing wooded slopes. It grows at a moderate-to-fast rate, and its broad,  rounded canopy can reach 75' or more in height and width.

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Each month, hear directly from Tower Grove Park Rangers as they share practical tips to keep the park safe, healthy, and welcoming for everyone.

Each installment highlights a seasonal tip, from protecting garden beds and wildlife to navigating the Park safely and respectfully year-round.

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Each month, hear directly from Tower Grove Park Rangers as they share practical tips to keep the park safe, healthy, and welcoming for everyone.

Each installment highlights a seasonal tip, from protecting garden beds and wildlife to navigating the Park safely and respectfully year-round.

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Howdy, park-goers! It's time for our September 2026 Tree of the Month. This month we're highlighting the Common Pawpaw (Asimina triloba).

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a small understory tree or large shrub native to Missouri and the greater southeastern United States. It typically grows 15–20 feet tall, though some specimens have been documented at 30 feet or taller.

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Hi, I’m Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum)!

I’m a native Missouri wildflower that blooms from late summer through fall. I can grow 5 feet or more and have long-stemmed, coarse-toothed leaves with a prominent vein running their length. My small white flowers grow in clusters and are a favorite of bees, flies, butterflies, and beetles.

I prefer full sun to partial shade and can be found in a variety of habitats, especially in moist areas and near sources of water. Look closely at my stems—you’ll find they’re covered in tiny white hairs!

Can you spot me in Tower Grove Park?

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On August 9, Tower Grove Park welcomed guests for Echoes in Stone: Discovering St. Louis Mausoleums with Dan Fuller. Dan Fuller, Bellefontaine Cemetery Chronicler, led a fascinating exploration of the history, architecture, and stories behind some of St. Louis’ most remarkable mausoleums.

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This year’s Martinis at the Mansion: A Speakeasy Soirée will take place at the beautiful Compton Heights home of Larry and Sandy Koesterer—a residence with more than a century of history.

Designed by renowned St. Louis architect Ernst Preisler, the home was one of only six homes built in Compton Heights between 1902 and 1904, as much of the city’s building industry turned its attention to the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.

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