After a long winter, our real estate agents are ready to welcome spring back to Southwest Illinois. With trees budding and spring wildflowers in bloom, this is one of the best times of year to throw on a light jacket and go for a walk in the great outdoors. 

If you're looking for places to see spring in full bloom in the Belleville area, then you're in luck. Head to one of our favorite local gardens and outdoor spaces to experience the bounty of blossoming flowers and trees in and around St. Clair County this season. 

• The Gardens at SIUE - 6 Arboretum Ln, Edwardsville, IL 62025
  One of the most spectacular botanical gardens in the area is on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. The Gardens at SIUE are fully open to the public, free of charge, and include 36 acres of beautifully maintained woodlands and gardens. Paved paths meander through the area, leading to themed plantings, scenic park benches, and informational kiosks where you can learn more about the beautiful plants all around you. 
  
  
• Hostas on the Bluff - 1601 Pleasantview Dr, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
  One of the largest hosta farms in Illinois, Hostas on the Bluff is both a display farm and a garden center where visitors can purchase plants to take home with them. Hostas on the Bluff is owned and operated by the Kniffin family, who grow more than 500 varieties of hostas on this lovely 6-acre farm. Located on a wooded bluff with views of the St. Louis skyline, the farm is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
  
  
• Creekside Gardens - 721 Johnson Hill Rd, Collinsville, IL 62234
  If you're ready to get your own garden going in the Belleville area, head over to Collinsville's Creekside Gardens. This beloved local garden center has everything you need to revive your landscape this spring, from shrubs, rose bushes, and hanging baskets to annuals, perennials, and vegetable seedlings. Nearly all the plants are grown onsite at the Creekside Gardens greenhouse. 
  
  
• Belleville Heart Garden - 806 S High St, Belleville, IL 62220
  A community garden in the center of Belleville, the Belleville Heart Garden is a project spearheaded by the HeartLands Conservancy and managed by dedicated Volunteers. Intended to showcase native plants and bring sustainable gardening to the local community, the garden is a stone's throw from many Belleville homes for sale. Within it are vegetable beds, an herb garden, native pollinator gardens, and even a community orchard.
  
  
• O'Fallon Garden Club - 501-599 E State St, O'Fallon, IL 62269
  With a mission to beautify the city of O'Fallon and encourage community involvement, the O'Fallon Garden Club has helped develop some beautiful green spaces. Butterfly gardens, perennial beds, and a community vegetable garden have all been expanded thanks to the organization's volunteers, and the vegetable garden has yielded more than 38,000 pounds of veggies for the local food pantries. See the gardens for yourself in O'Fallon, and consider becoming a member!
  
  
• The Weingarten - 1780 East IL-15, Belleville, IL 62221
  Spring is a great time to spend a quiet afternoon or evening at The Weingarten, located just outside of Belleville, overlooking the banks of Sugar Creek. The Weingarten is a charming open-air wine bar and event space that serves great food and exceptional wines from around the world. The grounds are stunning, with a beautiful array of blossoming trees and shrubs that are just beginning to flower this season. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in Southwest Illinois. Our real estate agents are dedicated to helping you and your family find the perfect home in Belleville and the surrounding areas.