Forbs

Type: Perennial
Habitat: Disturbed prairies
Light: Full sun to part sun
Soil: Dry to medium moisture
Growth: 2’ - 3’ tall
Bloom: White from May- June
Spread: spreads by rhizome and by seed. Can spread prolifically to form large colonies
Maintenance: low maintenance in large areas. Quarterly maintenance to keep from spreading in small landscapes.
Benefits: Pollinators, butterflies, bees, erosion control, tea

Info: Beautiful spring bloomer that is commonly planted in herb gardens. Can be used in mass plantings for large areas. Can sometimes flop over in extreme humidity, so sometimes nice to plant next to grasses or sedges to keep it more upright.

Native Range: most counties in KS, MO, IA and NE

Type: Perennial
Habitat: Low, moist edge of the woods and meadows
Light: Part shade to part sun
Soil: Medium moisture
Growth: 4’-6’ tall
Bloom: Yellow from July-Oct
Spreads: prolifically by seed and slowly by rhizome
Maintenance: remove plants that have seeded in unwanted areas. Plant can be staked to prevent falling over
Benefits: bumblebees, flies, predatory insects

Info: Prolific spreader by seed with tall flowers. Very valuable to a large variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, Syrphid flies, and many species of predatory insects. Does not do well in dry sunny areas. This plants primary use in ornamental gardens is for its foliage as only several of its flowers are ever in bloom at the one time.

Native range: Eastern KS, most counties in MO, Southeast NE, a few Southern and Western counties in IA

Type: Perennial
Habitat: Rare in Missouri. Wet edge of the woods or meadows
Light: Full/Partial
Soil: moist rich soils
Growth: 6’ tall columnar
Bloom: White to pale purple from July-Oct
Spread: Prolifically by seed and by rhizome slowly
Maintenance: remove plants that have seeded in unwanted areas. Can be staked if falling over
Benefits: Bumblebees, predatory insects

Info: large plant best suited for larger landscapes. It blooms actually appear to be almost white from a distance but up close are a very pale purple. It is a host plant to the endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee. Purple Giant Hyssop has a very long bloom time while also being a nectar rich plant these two things in combination make this plant very popular with butterflies. In some Eastern states it is considered a endangered species.

Native range: Only Leavenworth County in KS, limited counties in NW Missouri, SE Nebraska and SW Iowa

Type: Perennial bulb
Habitat: Prairies and savannas
Light: Full sun
Soil: Dry to medium
Growth: 1’ tall
Bloom: White/Pink April-June
Spread: bulb offsets and by seed less successfully
Maintenance: remove plants that have seeded in unwanted areas
Benefits: flies, small bees

Info: This small native plant is not only beautiful, but deer resistant. It spreads by bulbs and seeds. like most other wild garlics it has slender foliage that blinds in amongst grasses and sedges, but when stems are trampled or disturbed you can smell the onion like aroma. It is easy to distinguished from other wild garlics by its showy display of white/pink flowers in the spring.

Native range:

Type: Perennial bulb
Native Habitat: Open woods, glades, slopes
Sun: Full to Part sun
Soil: Medium moisture
Height: 1.5’ tall
Bloom: Purple from July-August
Spreads: by seed
Maintenance: deadhead flowers before seeds mature to prevent spread. Bulbets can be divided in fall for more plants.
Benefits: Pollinators, edible, hummingbirds, drought tolerant
Insect interactions:

Info: These showy native onions have large flowering bulbs that are deer resistant and a great plant for pollinators. Spread can easily controlled by deadheading flowers before seeds mature. The leaves and bulbs of this plant can be used in cooking or eaten raw. Bulblets can be divided and planted in fall. This plant can be a great addition to rock gardens, cottage gardens, and as a boarder planting for garden beds. This plant is attractive to butterflies and hummingbird.

Type: Perennial bulb
Habitat: glades, open woodlands, prairies and slopes
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Medium to Dry
Growth: 1-1.5’high .5-1’ wide
Bloom: reddish pink blooms in July-September
Spread: seed and bulbet
Maintenance: bulbets can be divided in the fall. Plant can be left to reseed so new onions can form a green mulch layer in the garden. If spread is unwanted, deadhead flowers before they go to seed.
Benefits: Bees, flies, beetles, hummingbirds, edible, drought resistant, deer resistant,

Info: This edible native perennial can be found in rocky soil in the Ozark region. Commonly eaten by the Native Americans and early pioneers, it was used in soups or just eaten raw. This showy plant is very drought and deer tolerant and makes a great addition to any native or cottage garden. Also pared well with showy wild garlic in order to get similar blooms from April-September.

Native range: Ozarks and central Kansas

Light: Full sun to Part shade
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 3’ tall , 1.5 Wide
Bloom: Blue from April-May

This southern Missouri native is commonly found growing along streams in sandy rocky soil. When grown in the shade may require staking to prevent plants from flopping over. When grown in full sun make nice round clumps that can be easily pruned to shape once blooms are finished if desired. The Shiny leaves that turn a beautiful yellow in the Fall. Ozark Bluestar is a great addition to any native garden.

Type: Perennial
Native Habitat: wet areas in woodlands and prairies
Light: Part Shade
Soil: Wet to average
Growth: 1-3’ tall multi-stemmed clump
Bloom: Blue/purple blooms in March-May
Spreads: by seed
Benefits: drought tolerant, good fall color, cut flowers,

Info: This ornamental native perennial grows throughout the midwest and can be found in woods or on the plains. It grows best in wet, sandy soils. This species has wonderful golden fall color that adds interest throughout the season.

Design suggestions: This plant grows and blooms better in the sun, but can tolerate part shade. Excellent for mass plantings as borders, or in forma gardens. Also a great addition to naturalized gardens or rain gardens

Type: Perennial
Native habitat: damp edge of the woods
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Medium to wet well drained soil
Growth: 1’-2’ tall 2’-2.5’ wide
Bloom: White from April-June

Info: This native perennial grows best in wet to medium well drained soils. Commonly found in Missouri along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, it spreads through rhizomes to create a nice ground cover making it a good native alternative to Vinca or Ivy.

Type: Perennial
Native habitat: open woods
Light: Full shade to part shade
Soil: Medium to wet
Growth: 1’ - 2’ tall 1’ wide
Bloom: White from June-August
Spreads: by seed

Info: Anemone virginiana, or tall thimbleweed, is a perennial wildflower known for its slender stems and white flowers. Thriving in moist woodlands and meadows, it blooms in late spring to early summer. This plant supports pollinators and adds elegance to natural landscapes with its airy blooms and feathery seed heads.

Host plant to mining bees, small carpenter bees, sweat bees, green sweat bees and yellow faced bees (Holm, Heather. Pollinators of Native Plants: Attract, Observe and Identify Pollinators and Beneficial Insects with Native Plants. Pollinator Press, LLC, 2014.)

Type: Perennial
Native Habitat: grasslands, woodlands and prairies
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: medium to dry soil moisture
Growth: 4” tall , 1’ wide
Bloom: White from April-June
Spread: seed and rhizome
Benefits: butterflies, bees, ground cover

Info: This Missouri Native can be found in grasslands, woodlands, and dry prairies. it grows best in rocky or sandy well drained soil. It is a low growing ground cover that spreads well and is great for small or large landscapes. A host plant for American painted lady butterfly caterpillars. great addition to rock gardens, open woodland gardens, boarder plantings, and also does well on slopes.

Type: perennial
Native Habitat: open woodlands, prairies
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Dry sandy or rocky
Growth: 1’ tall bloom foliage that hugs the ground
Bloom: White in May
Spreads: seed and rhizome
Benefits: pollinators, ground cover, erosion control, deer resistant

Info: Antennaria parlinii, or Parlin's Pussytoes, is a perennial plant native to North America. Thriving in well-drained soils and partial sun, it's found in woodlands and meadows. Its fuzzy flowers attract pollinators, and its roots contribute to erosion control.  A host plant for painted lady butterfly caterpillars.

Type: Perennial
Native Habitat: dry woodlands, rock outcroppings, meadows
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: medium moisture
Growth: 2’-3’ tall 1’-2’ wide
Bloom: red/yellow April-May
Spreads: seed

Info: This native, perennial can be found in woods through out the state. Its early spring flowers are great for attracting humming birds. Under proper conditions, can be a prolific reseeder and form large colonies. Great for large areas that need to be filled in or creating spring interest in the garden. Dead-heading and watering will encourage additional blooms and keep to foliage looking attractive longer in the season. This is a must have in any woodland or shade garden and can be a great addition to already naturalized areas.

Type: Perennial
Native Habitat: Woodlands
Light: Part shade to shade
Soil: Wet to medium wet
Growth: 4’ tall and wide
Bloom: Green from July-August

Info: This Missouri Native can be found in woodlands growing in moist fertile soils along slopes and cliffs. It has a shrub like growth habit and over time can form thickets by spreading rhizomes. Its attractive berries are a delight for birds. This plant is a member of the ginseng family and its roots can be used for flavoring teas and to make root beer. The roots have also been used medicinal in the past. Spikenard is a great addition to any part sun to shade woodland gardens or native plantings.

Light: part shade to full shade
Soil: medium to wet soil
Growth: 3’ tall
Bloom: green from May-June

Info: Great for rain gardens. Nice, unique plan to add to shade gardens

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Medium
Growth: 20-30’ tall 5-10’ wide vine
Bloom": pipe shaped greenish yellow in May-June

Info: This native vine is the host plant for the larva of the pipe vine swallowtail butterfly. This vine is seen in the wild growing up trees in moist woods often along creeks or streams. The attractive blooms resemble small popes. This is a great vine option from growing on arbors, trellises, and on fences

Photo credit: Mo botanical gardens

Type: Perennial
Native Habitat: Moist woodlands
Light: Part Sun
Soil: Medium to Wet
Growth: 2-4’ wide , 4-6’ tall
Bloom: White

Info: This Native perennial is found in moist woodlands and grows best in wet conditions especially if planted full sun. This species is dioecious meaning there are both male and female plants. Male plants have a more attractive bloom, but female plants have attractive seed pods. In landscapes this plants looks stunning in large masses. It is the larval host for the Dusky Azure

Type: Perennial
Native Habitat: Glades, rocky prairies, bluffs
Light: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry to Medium well drained
Growth: 2’-3’ tall
Bloom: Yellow from August-September
Spreads: prolific spreader by rhizome and seed in dry, well drained areas

Info: This native perennial is very drought tolerant and can form large colonies that are perfect for filling in large areas. It can eve handle being mowed once established. Does not do well in wet or poorly drained areas. In small areas, Its silver foliage is very aromatic and also medicinal. Its leaves can be used as a tea for stomach issues, a stronger tea can be brewed to use as wash for deodorant for underarms and feet.

Type: Perennial
Native Habitat: woodlands
Light: Part Shade to Full Sun
Soil: Medium to Wet
Growth: 1’ tall
Bloom: Purple/brownish blooms in April-May
Spread: rhizome and slowly by seed.

Info: This native plant can be found in the woods throughout the state. It is a low ground cover with leaves that can be up to 6’ wide. Spreading by rhizomes, they can form a lovely carpet of green ground cover. The slender roots can be used as ginger substitute. Great for edging or ground cover in garden beds.

Type: Perennial
Native Habitat: Swamps, wet meadows, river edges
Light: Full Sun
Soil: medium to wet
Growth: 4’-5’ tall and 2’-3’ wide
Bloom: Pink from July-August
Spreads: by seed

Info: This native Milkweed also known as Swamp milkweed is great for monarchs and other butterflies. In the wild you can see this plant growing in swamps, near rivers, around ponds, and other wet meadows or fields. It has a clump forming growth habit. Rose milk weed is a great addition to any butterfly garden or wet area.

Sun: Full Sun
Soil: medium to medium wet
Growth: 2’-3’ tall and 1’-1.5’ spread
Bloom: Pink bloom June-July

Info: This Native milkweed also know as smooth milkweed has a similar look as common milkweed except its stems and seed pod are smooth. In the wild you can find this plant growing in wet prairies and along rivers. Like other members of the milkweed family this plant plays a significant role as a food source for monarch caterpillars its blooms are also a important nectar source for adult butterflies.

Type: Perennial
Native habitat: Prairies, roadsides, meadows, open fields
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to medium
Growth: 2’-3’ tall 1’ wide
Bloom: Pink from June-August
Spreads: Seed and rhizomes

Most commonly known for being a great host plant for monarch butterflies, common milkweed is a great addition to pollinator or naturalized gardens. Does reseed rapidly, so it undesired, it is best to remove seed heads before they split open

Light: Full Sun
Soil: dry to medium in poor, well drained soil
Growth: 1-2’ tall and 1’-2’ wide
Bloom: orange bloom from May-Sept

A type of Milkweed, butterfly weed is a small, bushy plant with large orange flowers. Like the name suggests, this plant is great for butterflies, especially Monarch butterflies. A slow spreader that spreads mostly by seed, Butterfly milkweed is great for smaller gardens, if the soil is dry and well drained. Milkweed is prone to aphids. If noticed, treat with soapy water.

Light: Full sun to part sun
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 2’ tall
Bloom: White from July-Sept

Info: This shorter milkweed tends to bloom later in the year than other milkweeds. With it’s slender leaves, it is a great attractor of monarch caterpillars as well as a wide variety of other pollinators who use the nectar and pollen of the flower.

Light: Full Sun to part shade
Soil: medium to dry
Growth: 2’-4’ tall and 2’-3’ wide
Bloom: white bloom from April-May

Wild White Indigo is unique among the Baptisias that we offer due to its bloom that extends far above the foliage. Both bloom and seed pod are great for cutting flowers .

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Medium
Growth: 3-5’ tall 3’wide
Bloom: Blue/Purple blooms April-June

Info: This Missouri native is found in limestone glades, the edge of woodlands, and in the prairies. This plant, like other members of the pea family is a nitrogen fixer. This plant is a wonderful addition to any pollinator garden or native planting. Along with it’s flowers being particularly beautiful, it’s seedpods are attractive through winter and fall.

Light: Full sun/Part shade
Soil: Dry to Medium well drained
Growth: 2.5’ wide and tall
Bloom: Cream colored bloom in May-June

Native to Missouri, Cream Wild False Indigo is a compact shrub that fits in nicely to organized or wild flower beds. The flowers and seed heads make a great addition to flower arrangements.

Light: Full sun / Part Shade
Soil: Dry to Medium well drained
Growth: 2.5’ wide and tall
Bloom: Yellow from June-July

This Baptisia is found in prairies from Texas to Missouri , but there is some question as to whether it was introduced via railroad tracks or whether it was actually native to Missouri. it is commonly found in Arkansas. Like other species of baptisia found in the state it is slow growing, but once established it has a nice mounding shape. This makes this an excellent species for formal gardens. This species is a host plant for wild indigo duskywing butterfly, several species of sulfur butterfly, and some skippers.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry to Medium
Growth: 1’-2’ tall
Bloom: Purple from May to August

Info: This native perennial can tolerate a wide range of light and soil conditions. It is typically found on woodland edges and openings. It is very deer resistant and a big hit with pollinators. It does spread via rhizomes to form clumps. Great for formal or wild landscapes.

Sun: shade to part shade
Soil: medium
Growth: 1-2.5 feet tall
Bloom: Blue/purple from May-Sept

Info: This perennial is a great attractor of a wide variety of pollinators. Great for large spaces in shade gardens as it spreads prolifically. Can also do well in small spots in the garden where it is contained, such as areas surrounded by paths and concrete. This is a great plant for those seeking to add quick benefit for pollinators.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Native habitat: prairies and meadows
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Moisture: Medium
Growth: 4’-5” tall
Bloom: White from August-September

Great plant for rain gardens. Tends to spread but isn’t aggressive and is easy to weed. Beautiful, prolific bloomer and a great height for a mid range plant in almost any garden. Attractive foliage when not in bloom.

Light: Full sun
Soil: Dry to Medium
Growth: 2’wide 1.5’ Tall
Bloom: Magenta blooms June-August

Mostly found in open rocky areas along creek beds, this native is a great groundcover for filling in large areas in perennial beds.

Sun: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to medium
Growth: 2’-4’ tall and 1’-2’ wide
Bloom: magenta from May-Sept

Info: Unlike other poppy mallows, fringed poppy mallow stands upright rather than spreading. great for formal or natural gardens. Smaller leaves and stems than other poppy mallows

Type: herbaceous perennial
Native habitat: prairies and glades
Light: Full sun
Soil: Dry to Medium
Growth: 2’ wide trailing plant by 2’ tall
Bloom: magenta bloom May-June

Native to Missouri, Purple Poppy Mallow is a great addition to a rock garden or dry garden slope. May reseed itself if particularly happy. It is a great addition to formal gardens as well as naturalized gardens.

Light: part shade
Soil: medium to wet
Growth: 3’-4’ tall 3’ wide
|Bloom: Blue from June-August

This native biennial does not bloom it’s first year, but has low basal leaves that stay compact and close to the ground. On it’s second year, it sends up a tall stem that produces beautiful blue flowers that attract hummingbirds. Grows best in rich, moist soils.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: medium to dry
Growth: 2’ tall
Bloom: Yellow from July-Sept

Info: Very long blooming annual legume. Prolific re-seeder. Great to use as a green mulch in naturalized gardens. Attractive to a large variety of pollinators.

This plant is an annual, so if purchased in the fall, be sure to either save seeds back to stratify and plant in the spring, or let them reseed in the garden.

Light: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium to wet
Growth: 2’-3’ tall
Bloom: white from August to October

This wetland perennial is a wonderful addition to any rain gardens, wetland planting, or woodland garden. Plant spreads via rhizomes to slowly form colonies. If grown in to deep of shade plants may tend to fall over, so planting next to other tall species to add support is recommended. This plant is a nectar source for both bumblebees and Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. Flowers resemble a turtles heads thus the name.

Light: Full Sun

Soil: medium to well drained

Growth: .5’ -1’ wide , .5’-1’ tall

Bloom: White/purple in June-July

Info: This low growing native perennial can be found in glades, along bluffs, and growing in gravely stream banks. plants spread by stolons and self seeding to form a groundcover. When the leaves are crushed they are very fragrant. A tea can be made from the leaves as well. This plant is a great addition to rock gardens or other dry areas.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: up to 25 ft long
Bloom: White from May-June

Info: This native vine which can be found in many woodlands and thickets is known in the landscape by its red berries which can be seen in the fall and winter. This vine is a dioecious plant meaning it needs male and female plants to produce berries. Typically 1 male plant is needed for every 6 female plants. The woody vines of this plant can cause damage or death to small trees or shrubs so it is best to let it grow on arbor or trellis in the landscape. If pruning is required do this in either late winter or early spring.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium to wet
Growth: 9ft long vine
Bloom: White from July-Sept

Can be confused with sweet autumn clematis. Semi-aggressive vine that is best in large landscapes, or in contained areas where it cannot overwhelm other plants.

Light: part shade
Soil: medium wet
Growth: 2’ tall
Bloom: Blue/white from April-May

Info: Early blooming annual that does best in moist woodlands.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Medium
Growth: 1.5-3’ tall , 1.5-3’ Wide
Bloom: Blue blooms in July to October

This Missouri native wildflower can be found in wet area likes along streams and in low wet woods. It spreads by seed dispersal and by rhizomes. in the garden this plan can be a good choice for boarders, by ponds, woodland garden, or in areas where you need a plant to readily spread

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to Medim
Growth: 1-1.5’ wide and 1’-2’ tall
Bloom: Yellow from June-August

This native perennial grows in rocky areas with good drainage. Can be deadheaded to encourage more blooms

Type: herbaceous perennial
Native habitat: prairies and glades
Light: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil: Dry to medium
Growth 1’-2’ tall and 1’-2’ wide
Bloom: Yellow bloom from May-July

Info: Prolific bloomer that is great for almost any garden. Does tend to spread by seed. In formal gardens, plan on putting in a little work to keep this plant in it’s place.

Type: herbaceous perennial
Native habitat: prairies and meadows
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium to Dry
Growth: 2’ tall
Bloom: yellow from May-July

This Native perennial can be found in glades, prairies, and open areas in woods. it does best in dry soils with good drainage, and will spread by seed and rhizomes. Deadhead to prolong blooming. Great for attracting butterflies.

light: Full sun
Soil: Dry
Growth: 4’ tall
Bloom: Yellow rays with red centers from June-Sept

This annual is great to fill in empty spots in naturalized gardens. Reseeds readily, so will appear for years in a planting.

Type: herbaceous perennial
Native habitat: prairies and meadows
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 7’ tall
Bloom: Yellow from July-Oct

Great as an accent flower in well established beds. In the wild this flower is found in prairies, open woods, and woodland edges. This plant can spread to form large colonies, so may need to be divid every 2-3 years. Great for attracting butterflies.

Light: Full Sun to Part Sun

Soil: Dry to Medium

Growth: .75’ - 1.5’ Wide .75’ - 1.5’ Tall

Bloom: Lavender in July to September

Info: This low growing Missouri native can be found in rocky woods, along slopes, and in prairies. This plant is a member of the min family and its leaves can be used for teas, it has been used for its medicinal properties to treat headaches and fever. In addition to its pretty flowers this species also has what are commonly called “frost Flowers” where at the first frost sap is pushed out of cracks in the stem and freezes in the air to create these beautiful ribbon like ice structures.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 2’ tall
Bloom: White from May-July

This Missouri Native perennial is common in prairies, glades, and open woods through out the state.This plant is very important in prarie restoration projects. Drought tolerant and great plant to attract a variety of bees and other pollinators. Native Americans used this plants roots for food and its leaves in teas.

Description goes hereaLight: Full sun
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 1-3’ tall, 1-1.5’ wide
Bloom: Purple from June-August

This Nitrogen fixing native plant is very important in prairie restoration projects. It is drought tolerant and great attractor of pollinators and other insects. This plant is a great addition to cottage gardens, native planting, prairie gardens, and rock gardens.

Light: Full sun
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 4’ - 6’ tall, 1-2’ wide
Bloom: purple from July-August

Info: This US Native can only be found in Missouri in some small isolated areas of southern portion of the state. Great wildflower for hummingbirds and bumblebees. Best planted in clumps and with other tall flowers around to help the flower stocks withstand strong winds. If spent flowers are dead headed this will encourage more blooms. This is a good plant for cottage gardens and native plantings.

Light: Full sun
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 4’ tall
Bloom: White from June-July

Great for bumblebees and are best planted in clumps.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 5’ tall
Bloom: Purple from July-August

Showy flower that is best planted in groups. Nitrogen fixer. Can be difficult to distinguish between this plant and other showy tick trefoils

Click here for an Insect interactions table from Illinois Wildflowers

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Medium
Growth: 1-3’ Tall
Bloom: White blooms in June-September

This plant prefers dry soils and is beneficial for bees.

Light: Full
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 2’ tall
Bloom: Pink from June-July

Smaller, more compact version of Pale Purple Coneflower. Does best in sunny dry areas. Seeds are beneficial for many native birds.

Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry to medium
Growth: 2’-3’ tall 1’-1.5’ wide
Bloom: Pale Purple from June-July

This beautiful Missouri native is a clumping plant with the potential for many blooms. Every few years, the clumps can be divided. The flowers are great for cutting flowers.

Light: Full sun to Part Shade
Soil: Dry to medium
Growth: 2-5’ Tall, 1.5-2’ Wide
Bloom: Purple blooms in June - August

This native perennial is great for mass plantings, especially when planted with other flowering perennials like black eyed susans or grasses. The clumps can be divided every 4 years or so. You can dead head plants if you wish, but plants tend to re-bloom on their own. If you leave seed heads you will find golden finches and other birds visiting to feed from the seeds.

Type: herbaceous perennial
Native habitat: Rocky glades. Rare is Missouri
Light: Full sun
Soil: Medium to dry
Growth: 2’ -3’ tall
Width: 1’ -1.5’ wide
Bloom: Yellow from June-August

Info: Yellow coneflower is a great addition to pollinator gardens as it blooms in mid summer and attracts a wide variety of pollinators. As it matures, it will form large clumps with many blooms. Finches and other birds may visit the seed heads once the flowers have bloomed if the seed heads are allowed to remain on the plant. Some gardeners may want to remove seed heads for general appearance, or to prevent reseeding.

Light: Full sun to Part shade
Soil: Medium Moisture
Bloom: Pale Pink from June to July
Growth: 2’ -3’ tall

Info: This Native echinacea can be found in glades of the Ozark region, it grows best in well drained soils. It is very drought and heat tolerant. golden finches will eat the seeds from this plant. Great for attracting butterflies.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium to wet
Growth: 2’-4’ tall

Info: a beautiful, interesting plant that is a vigorous spreader. Best to be planted in a rain garden where it can have either enough space to spread, or be contained by borders that will stop it’s rhizomal spread.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to medium/ well drained soil
Growth: 4’-5’ tall 2’-3’ wide
Bloom: Showy greenish white bloom from June-Sept

Info: A Missouri native found commonly in prairies in glades. Unique bloom and yucca like foliage adds texture and interest to the garden. The seed head can be left for winter interest, or used in cutting flower arrangements. Attracts predatory insects such as wasps and beetles. Good to be planted by vegetable gardens to attract predatory insects to combat vegetable garden pests.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium
Growth: 5’-7’ tall
Bloom: Pink from July-Sept

This attractive Missouri native can grow very tall and rarely needs stalking due to the plants’ sturdy stems. The stems are ornamental as well as the showy pink flowers. Great for attracting a wide variety of pollinators.

Light: Full Sun Part Shade
Soil: medium to wet
Growth: 4’-7’ tall 2’-4’ wide
Bloom: Pink from July-Sept

Easy to grow and great for tall focal plants in naturalized gardens. Also great for privacy fences or used as a hedge in the summer time.

Light: Full
Soil: Wet to medium
Growth: 5’ tall
Bloom: Pink from May-June

This showy native is a short bloomer, but a gem to see in mid spring. Best for wet areas where the bloom can be enjoyed.

Light: Part Shade to full sun
Soil Moisture: Medium
Growth:1’ to 1.5’
Bloom: lilac from April-May

Info: This clumping woodland native is is great for taller ground covers or garden borders. Best planted with late blooming plants such as asters and goldenrods in order to keep the garden looking full as Wild Geraniums can disappear, or look sleepy in extreme summer heat.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to Medium
Growth: .5-1.5’ tall, 1-2’ wide
Bloom: Pink/purple blooms in May-August

Info: This Missouri Native can be found in prairies and glades throughout the state. This plant can form a attractive groundcover via its stems that root at nods where they touch the ground. Great for boarders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, even hanging baskets.

Type: perennial
Native Habitat: wet meadows, ponds and streams
Light: Full Sun
Soil: Medium to moist
Growth: 3-5’ tall , 2-3’ wide
Bloom: Yellow in August - October

Info: This native perennial can be found in Missouri in wet areas such as ditches, wet meadows and prairies, around ponds, and along streams. Grows best in full sun in rich moist soil, does not preform well in dry soils. This plant is beneficial for many species of adult butterflies. It does get its common name from a snuff that was made from its pollen to induce sneezing. Warning! flowers, leaves, and stems of this plant are consider !poisonous! and should not be ingested in any way.

Light: Full Sun

Soil: Medium to Wet

Growth: 1-3’ Tall, 1-2’ Wide

Bloom: yellow/purple in August - October

Info: This native perennial is found in Missouri in low wet areas such as ditches, along streams and ponds, and in wet prairies. If desired, This pants size can be controlled by giving it a hair cut in May. To encourage a second flush of blooms you can simply cut the plant back by half once the first round of blooms has finished. Native Americans used the dried flower heads and leaves of this pant to induce sneezing which was a treatment for colds and congestion. Leaves were also used as a laxative. Plant is beneficial to pollinators. Great for wet areas in the landscape.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium wet to dry
Growth: 7’ tall
Bloom: Yellow from August-September

Info: This Native Sunflower would have grown in the once vast tall grass prairies of the midwest, but today an be found growing on roads side in glades through out the state. Its showy flowers make it a popular addition to prairie gardens. It is beneficial to bees, butterflies, and birds.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Medium to Dry
Growth: 2-4’ tall, 1-3’ Wide
Bloom: Yellow in July-September

Info: This perennial sunflower is native to Missouri and grows in prairies, woodlands, and glades. It does best in well drained soil. This plant is attractive to both birds and butterflies. It is a good addition to a cottage garden or native planting, looks great in clumps.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to Medium
Growth: 2-4’ tall, 1.5-2’ wide
Bloom: Yellow in August-September

Info: This native perennial sunflower tolerates a wide range of soils from sandy to humusy soils. This sunflower is shorter then most of its relatives and is sometimes called few-leaf sunflower due to its almost bare flowering stems. This plant can be a good choice for borders and erosion control. Attractive to both birds and butterflies.

Light: Full Sun to light Shade

Soil: Dry to Medium

Growth: 3-6’ tall, 2-4’ wide

Bloom: Yellow/orange June - August

Info: This native perennial is not a true sunflower and is sometimes called false sunflower or ox-eye daisy. This plants hight can be controlled by a hair cut in May by cutting back 1/3rd to 1/2 the plant this will reduce total height by later in the season when blooming begins. This plat is beneficial to hummingbirds.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium
Growth: 1’ tall
Bloom: White from July-Sept

Info: If placed in the sun, plant needs consistent moisture. Great for a ground cover in formal gardens.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry to Medium
Growth: 1’-2’ tall
Bloom: Green From June-July

Info: This perennial plant is Missouris native coral bell. In the wild you can find them in open woodlands and in prairies. They prefer rich soil that is well drained in partial shade, can take full sun but may need some afternoon shade in the hot summer months. Clumps are easy to divide in the spring, you can do this about every 4 years to spread them around in the garden. This plant is attractive to both hummingbirds and bees. This plat is a great groundcover for native plantings in either a woodland or prairie style.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Medium to wet
Growth: 2’-3’wide and 4’-6’ tall
Bloom: White bloom with red center from Aug-Sept

This Missouri native is found in swamps and along ponds. It is a wonderful addition to both naturalized and formal gardens. Tends to spread by seed, but seedlings are easy to weed out of the garden.

Light: Part Shade

Soil: medium to wet

Growth: 1-2’ tall, 1-2’ wide

Bloom: White/lilac in May to June

Info: This native perennial grows best in moist woodlands and likes soil that is well drained but never dry. in the ideal growing conditions this plant can become a low maintenance groundcover. Attractive to bumble bees.