We will be closed on Saturday, July 4th. There will be no deliveries on Friday, July 3rd.
- The Studio
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Plants
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Containers
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Garden Supplies
- Plant Care Guides
A Fourth-Generation Family Farm
Bowood's story begins high above the Mississippi River in the rolling hills of Clarksville, Missouri, where our fourth-generation family farm continues to operate today. Throughout its history, the farm has evolved alongside the needs of the land and the family who cares for it. Earlier generations raised cattle, bison, soybeans, wheat, and the many animals that found their way to the farm over the years. In the 1980s, our father established a wholesale perennial nursery and spent nearly two decades building a respected reputation for growing exceptional plants.
In 2005, we made the decision to shift our focus to retail production. Today, each season we hand-select an assortment of perennials, annuals, and herbs grown by our team on the farm and delivered weekly to St. Louis. While livestock are no longer part of our operation, the farm remains active through grain production, native grass cultivation, pollinator habitat restoration, timber management, and environmentally responsible land stewardship.
Bringing the Farm to the City
In 2006, Bowood joined the revitalization efforts taking place in St. Louis' Central West End. Strong family ties to the neighborhood led us to a crumbling 1920s automotive warehouse on Olive Street. Although the courtyard roof had collapsed, we recognized the potential hidden within its generous windows, bowed trusses, and clerestory lighting. We imagined a space where plants, people, and community could flourish together.
What began as a rehabilitation project soon became something much larger. The historic warehouse was transformed into an urban oasis filled with plants grown on our family farm. Over time, additional buildings and spaces were restored, including the courtyard, nursery, The Studio, and neighboring properties that now make up the Bowood experience. Today, visitors find much more than a garden center. Bowood has become a place where gardening, creativity, education, and community intersect.
In the fall of 2018, we opened Holliday, a sister shop located across the street from Bowood.
Named for our great-grandmother, Ida Holliday, who purchased the Clarksville farm alongside her husband in the 1930s, the shop reflects the same appreciation for beauty, craftsmanship, and nature that has shaped Bowood for generations.
Inside, visitors discover a carefully curated collection of home goods, gifts, stationery, jewelry, linens, candles, children's toys, and seasonal treasures. Like Bowood, Holliday is designed to inspire everyday living through thoughtful design and meaningful objects.
Together, Bowood and Holliday create a destination where gardening, home, and lifestyle come together in one walkable neighborhood experience.
Bowood's commitment to gathering and hospitality expanded with the arrival of Bowood by Niche.
Located within the Bowood campus and led by James Beard Award-winning chef Gerard Craft and the Niche Food Group, the café offers breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch in a light-filled setting surrounded by plants and gardens.
Inspired by the beauty of nature, the rhythms of the seasons, and thoughtfully prepared food, Bowood by Niche complements the larger Bowood experience. It serves as a welcoming place to pause, connect, and enjoy the unique atmosphere that has made Bowood a beloved destination in St. Louis.
From a family farm in Clarksville to a collection of thoughtfully restored buildings in the Central West End, Bowood has always been guided by the same values: stewardship, creativity, hospitality, and a deep connection to the natural world.
Whether you're selecting plants grown on our farm, attending a workshop, discovering something special at Holliday, or sharing a meal at Bowood by Niche, we are grateful to welcome you into a place built to inspire curiosity, beauty, and community.
The rehabilitation of historic buildings has always been central to Bowood's identity.
Each restored structure reflects our belief that old places deserve new life. Rather than building from scratch, we have continually invested in preserving and reimagining existing spaces throughout the campus.
These projects have allowed Bowood to grow organically while maintaining the character and history of the neighborhood. Whether attending a workshop in The Studio, exploring the courtyard gardens, shopping for plants, or gathering with friends, visitors experience spaces that honor both their past and their future.
