GO NATIVE

In recent years, interest has been increasing in using native plants in the residential landscape. Historically, native plants also have a rich tradition as they were used for dyeing clothing, for food and shelter. In addition, they provided medicines, and many are still used in modern medicine. Native plants enhance our landscape with their hardiness, beauty and their benefits to wildlife. They also have the potential to be less demanding than non-natives. Native plants have evolved in Missouri and are well adapted to this region’s temperatures, soil conditions and rainfall patterns. When planted appropriately, native plants can survive the stresses of hot weather and droughts with minimal care and provide more time for relaxing and enjoying the garden. Native species also provide food and cover for songbirds, butterflies, beneficial insects, turtles, and frogs and toads. Research has shown that foraging birds seek out the native plants over non-native plants. However, not all native plants are hardier or easier to grow than non-natives, and some require quite specific conditions to thrive.

Missouri Primrose

Throughout Columbia, I have noticed a tremendous increase in gardens planted with a combination of native and non-native perennials. Some commonly used plants are Monarda (Bee Balm), Black-eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, Blazing Star and Coreopsis, all of which thrive in average Missouri soil conditions and prefer light shade to full sun. In my garden, I have both non-native and native perennials, and really enjoy using the native perennials in the borders and for naturalizing into the woods alongside and behind my home. Missouri Primrose, also called glade lily, is my favorite along the front of my borders and in my rock garden. It is one of Missouri’s showiest wildflowers and prefers full sun and drier conditions. Plants in the milkweed family are the sole larval food source for the Monarch butterfly and are thus necessary for the Monarch to complete development. Butterfly Weed in the milkweed family is very desirable in the landscape and provides a vibrant orange color. It grows best in full sun on well-drained soil and prefers dry, open places such as glades and roadsides throughout the state. New England Aster is one of our showiest native plants for the fall, and along with Goldenrod, flowers later in the summer providing color until frost.

Virginia Bluebell

A common misconception is that all native plants need full sun and dry soil. There are many that prefer light to heavy shade and grow quite nicely in the more moist areas of the garden. Some of my favorites are Spiderwort, Cardinal Flower, Joe-Pye Weed, Queen of the Prairie, Rose Mallow, Copper Iris, Culver’s Root, Wild Geranium, Virginia Bluebells, Celandine Poppy, Solomon’s Seal, Columbine and Blue Lobelia. Native shrubs also provide character to your yard in both sunny and shady spots, and provide great shelter and food for wildlife, especially birds. Shrubs can also provide a dramatic backdrop for flowers. Some wonderful native shrubs to consider are Winterberry Holly, Virginia Sweetspire, American Highbush Cranberry, Dogwood, Serviceberry, Beauty Berry, Pawpaw, Ninebark, Spicebush, New Jersey Tea, Wild Hydrangea and Witch Hazel. For more information on landscaping with native plants, you can browse the Missouri Department of Conservation Grow Native program Website ( http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/programs/grownative/).

Excerpts for this article were taken from Carolyn Harstad’s Go Native, Indiana University Press, 1999.

Mary Kroening, Missouri Master Gardener Coordinator and UMC Horticulturalist, (573) 882-9633