![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tall-Fescue.jpg\")
In the Midwestern transition zone, your Missouri lawn endures both sweltering summers and freezing winters. This makes a perfect recipe for a dull, grim lawn if your yard doesn’t have the right grass seeds to pull through the temperamental climate. In this article, we look at warm- and cool-season grass varieties that work well in […]
\n","content":"\nIn the Midwestern transition zone, your Missouri lawn endures both sweltering summers and freezing winters. This makes a perfect recipe for a dull, grim lawn if your yard doesn’t have the right grass seeds to pull through the temperamental climate.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we look at warm- and cool-season grass varieties that work well in Missouri, along with their pros and cons to help you pick the best grass for your Missouri lawn.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nBefore we get to the list, here’s a quick rundown of what cool-season grasses are like:
\n\n\n\nLet’s dig into these three best cool-season grasses for your Missouri lawn:
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nTurf-type tall fescue is excellent for a Missouri landscape. It’s developed by seed or sod and grows coarse-to-medium-textured, tall turfgrass. This grass tolerates high temperatures, heat, drought, and shade. Given proper care, tall fescue lawns can even stay green all around the year. Plus, it’s a pretty low-maintenance grass.
\n\n\n\nTall Fescue may struggle a little in hotter parts of Missouri during the summer months but survives better in the heat than all other cool-season grasses. It can grow in poor soil conditions and with little fertilization, too. Generally, tall fescue is also highly resistant to pests and diseases and grows best during the fall and spring months.
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunch-type
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to high – may need irrigation during dry summers
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Very low
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2 – 4 inches
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.8 – 6.5
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Perennial-Ryegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis dark green, fine-bladed grass type will give your Missouri lawn a temporary pop of color for the winter. Perennial ryegrass is fast germinating and suppresses weeds naturally by establishing quickly.
\n\n\n\nOf all cool-season grasses, ryegrass has the highest wear tolerance, which is why it is popular for parks and golf courses. However, it is less tolerant of heat and drought compared to other species.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass develops tapered, fine-textured, shiny blades that require regular maintenance to keep a uniform look. It is considered a nurse grass, meaning it’s often mixed with other grasses to provide shade and protection to less hardy grass types, such as Kentucky bluegrass.
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunch-type, extends with tillers
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: High, look out for red thread, brown patch, and rust
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1.5 to 3 inches
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6.0 – 7.0
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\n![\"Kentucky](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Kentucky-Bluegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass establishes a dense turf and is a popular choice for northern areas due to its winter hardiness. It has a bluish-green color and has a medium texture – not too hard, not too soft – to make a great “barefoot grass”.
\n\n\n\nBut Kentucky bluegrass is high-maintenance. It needs more water and fertilizer than any other cool-season grass type. It prefers areas with partial shade and spreads quickly by rhizomes. It is often mixed with other grass species, typically perennial ryegrass, to create a disease-resistant, tough turf that maintains a nice green appearance year-round.
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low, prefers sunlight
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 2.5 to 3 inches
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6.0 – 7.0
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nA quick overview of warm-season grasses:
\n\n\n\nHere are two warm-season grasses that do well in Missouri lawns:
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bermudagrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Scot Nelson / Flickr / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is the most widely used grass in Southern Missouri. It’s well suited for your Missouri lawn because it is hardy, low-maintenance, and develops dense turf. Bermudagrass spreads vigorously with stolons and rhizomes and has excellent resistance to foot traffic and wear due to these woven roots.
\n\n\n\nThe dense Bermudagrass turf also naturally crowds out weeds. This grass type is fast-growing and resistant to salinity, heat, and a wide range of soil pHs. However, the rapid growth rate can become a nuisance if the grass invades gardens or flower beds.
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass needs full, bright sun to thrive and regular dethatching to stay disease free. It goes brown and dormant in the winter and greens back up around early April.
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes and stolons
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1 to 1.5 inches
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.8 – 7.0
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Zoysiagrass.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThis is a cold-tolerant and thick warm-season grass that will keep your Missouri lawn green for the most part of the year. It’s a popular choice for homeowners with kids and pets because of its hardiness and impeccable foot traffic tolerance.
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass thrives in direct sunlight and develops a dark green color turf. This lush green color slowly fades as the temperature drops but won’t turn brown or tan. Since it develops into a dense lawn by stolons and rhizomes, Zoysia lawns are often vulnerable to thatch.
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass needs frequent watering during the summer but is super easy to maintain otherwise. It tackles a good amount of foot traffic too.
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes and stolons
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1 to 2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.8 – 7.0
\n\n\n\nPros:
\n\n\n\nCons:
\n\n\n\nThe most commonly used grass in Missouri is turf-type tall fescue. It is drought, heat, disease, and insect resistant and does fine with moderately shaded environments too.
The optimal time to plant grass in Missouri is late August to mid-October, September being ideal. At this time, the soil is still warm but the chilly breezes help grass seeds germinate faster.
Tall fescue can maintain a deep green color all year if you care for it properly. It’s well-known for its ability to thrive in transition zones with minimal maintenance.
If you’re confused about what grass type suits your lawn, when and how to plant it, or you don’t have the time to set a lawn up by yourself, call in one of our lawn care pros to help. Our pros come equipped with all the knowledge, equipment, and expertise that you need to choose the right grass type for your Missouri lawn.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo By: Hippopx
\n","title":"Best Grasses for Your Missouri Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/1789c/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/107df/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.jpg 320w,\n/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/293e9/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.jpg 500w,\n/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/f2cbb/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.jpg 800w,\n/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/1789c/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.jpg 960w,\n/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/c26c2/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/1dd6e/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/67b76/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.webp 320w,\n/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/8df11/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.webp 500w,\n/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/98a65/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.webp 800w,\n/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/1dd6e/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.webp 960w,\n/static/e8d5f20dbd7eb3d842f37a0bb26e0249/3cc96/Grasses-for-Your-Missouri-Lawn.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Best Grasses for Your Missouri Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Trying to find a grass that will survive the temperamental climate of Missouri? Here are five best grasses to liven up your Missouri lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"56837060-c0ff-50b4-8072-75151c42a948","slug":"best-plants-missouri","path":"/lawn-care/mo/best-plants-missouri/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Judith Gallova","id":"8e48e42f-071a-5523-a889-6dab4c49dd54","path":"/author/judith-gallova/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/537ca09b018493e40c3fb0df17ebacbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"}],"date":"May 24th, 2023","excerpt":"So, you just installed a new lawn, and you want to finish off your landscaping with some stunning plants. But not all plants are ideal for Missouri’s climate, which ranges from cold and snowy in winter to steamy in the summer. Consider going with landscaping plants that look great and are well-adapted to our climate. […]
\n","content":"\nSo, you just installed a new lawn, and you want to finish off your landscaping with some stunning plants. But not all plants are ideal for Missouri’s climate, which ranges from cold and snowy in winter to steamy in the summer. Consider going with landscaping plants that look great and are well-adapted to our climate.
\n\n\n\nHere are 13 plants that grow naturally in Missouri and are well-suited to the state’s climate and soil conditions.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nNative plants are not only accustomed to the local climate and soil conditions, but they also provide essential habitat and food for native wildlife. By incorporating native plants into your landscaping, you create an easy-care, biodiverse environment and reduce chemical usage.
\n\n\n\nTake a look at these 13 examples of Missouri natives.
\n\n\n\nTip: Are you located in St. Louis? Check out our grass guide and our native plant guide for the area.
\n\n\n\n![\"Eastern](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Eastern-Redbud.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEastern redbud bursts with dainty, pink flowers early in the spring, even before its leaves emerge. It makes your yard look stunning and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding beauty and biodiversity to your outdoor space.
\n\n\n\nHowever, take note that Eastern redbud tends to struggle against some diseases and insects, so extra preventive care will be needed alongside other maintenance.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Water needs: Moderate
Soil: Prefers at least a moderate level of fertility, well-drained, consistently moist but not wet
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 20 to 30 feet
Potential hazards: No major hazards known for people or common (large) pets, but caution is always advised
![\"Prairie](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Prairie-Blazing-Star.jpg\")
Photo Credit: cultivar413 / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA real showstopper, the prairie blazing star is sure to catch the attention of anyone that visits your yard, including wildlife. This summer bloomer produces beautiful purple flowers, can grow up to 4 feet tall, and needs minimum maintenance. Prairie blazing star rarely faces problems with diseases or insect pests, too.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
Sun: Full sun
Water needs: Keep soil dry or moderately moist
Soil: Average, well-drained
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 2 to 5 feet
Potential hazards: No major hazards known for people or common pets, but caution is always advised
![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/8173412518_9b3cd7aa35_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Andrey Zharkikh / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLance-leaved coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a yellow wildflower that’s both pleasant to the eye and appealing to wildlife such as pollinators and birds. It grows up to 3 feet tall even in dry conditions and spreads easily. Just be careful that your lance-leaved coreopsis doesn’t end up overtaking your yard!
\n\n\n\nCoreopsis species are usually seen as non-toxic, but there are some reports of lance-leaved coreopsis being toxic to livestock, so be cautious.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Wildflower
Sun: Full sun
Water needs: Keep the soil dry or moderately moist
Soil: Loamy, sandy, dry to medium moisture, well-drained; ideally poor, sandy or rocky soils
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 1 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: Some reports of toxicity
![\"Aromatic](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Aromatic-Aster.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lydia Fravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAromatic aster blooms with purple, daisy-like flowers. Although the flowers themselves aren’t particularly fragrant, the flowerheads and foliage give off a balsam-like smell when crushed. The aromatic aster is easy to care for and keep healthy, and it attracts wildlife like bees and butterflies. The threatened checkerspot butterfly even uses the aromatic aster as its host plant.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
Sun: Full sun
Water needs: Soil should be dry to moderately moist
Soil: Clay or sandy
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 1 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: Lack of data, but some aster variants are reported to be toxic, so practice caution
![\"picture](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/american-beautyberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Donald Lee Pardue / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe American beautyberry produces small pink flowers in the spring and a showy display of purple berries in the fall. The berries not only stand out with their bright color, but are also a real treat for various songbirds. Moreover, American beautyberry is an easy-care plant that’s relatively resistant to drought and insects.
\n\n\n\nAlthough some sources report the berries to be non-poisonous for humans, it’s better to act with caution because they may have mild toxic effects. Moreover, there’s a lack of data surrounding toxicity to domestic animals, so it’s better to keep them from eating any part of the plant.
Plant type: Shrub
Sun: Full sun
Water needs: Low
Soil: Clay, loamy, sandy, moist, well-draining, rich in organic matter; tolerant of various soil types as long as it gets good drainage
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 3 to 8 feet
Potential hazards: Mild toxic effects reported; a lack of data regarding toxicity to pets
![\"Purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Purple-Coneflower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PumpkinSky / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you want your yard to turn into a purple paradise in the summer, purple coneflower is another flower to add to it. It produces lovely, bright purple petals, and also provides food for pollinators and birds. The plant is self-seeding, although you may need to divide its clumps every few years. Also, note that the purple coneflower may sometimes suffer from diseases.
\n\n\n\nThe plant is toxic to people and animals so make sure you enjoy it with your eyes only.
Plant type: Flower
Sun: Full sun or partial shade (does best in full sun)
Water needs: Keep the soil dry or moderately moist
Soil: Average, well-drained
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 2 to 5 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"colorful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe butterfly milkweed, also known as butterfly weed and orange milkweed, is listed on the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plants of Merit, meaning that it grows outstandingly well in Missouri and surrounding regions. It’s an easy-care plant that tends to resist diseases and insect pests and isn’t invasive in the area.
Butterfly milkweed establishes in 2 to 3 years and then produces beautiful, atypical orange blossoms that produce nectar for pollinators. Moreover, milkweed is the only host plant for the monarch butterfly.
Plant type: Herb
Sun: Full sun
Water needs: Low
Soil: Sandy, poor, average, dry to medium, well-drained
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 1 to 2 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Downy](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Downy-Phlox.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDowny phlox, also called prairie phlox, blooms with fragrant purple flowers that attract butterflies. While it blooms in the summer, it may produce a second, sparser round of blooms in the fall. Moreover, the downy phlox seldom faces problems with diseases and insects; just look out for spider mites, which may sometimes be a problem during the heat of summer.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
Sun: Full sun
Water needs: Moderate
Soil: Fertile and moderately dry or moist, well-drained
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Potential hazards: Lack of data; always practice caution
![\"yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Black-eyed_susan_flowers_40862429212.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michel Rathwell from Cornwall, Canada / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you want to add an easy-care, vibrant splash of color to your garden, consider planting black-eyed Susan. The cheerful yellow and black flower blooms within a year and stands up well to heat, drought, and cold.
\n\n\n\nTake caution, though; black-eyed Susan is toxic to animals. There’s a lack of data regarding its toxicity to humans, but it causes allergic reactions in some people. To be on the safe side, don’t consume it, handle it with gloves, and keep it away from pets.
Plant type: Wildflower
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Water needs: Moderate
Soil: Average, well-draining, acidic
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Zigzag](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Zigzag-Goldenrod.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you want to plant beautiful tall trees or perhaps add some hardscapes to your outdoor area, zigzag goldenrod is a a great accent piece. It provides your lawn with a pop of yellow whether it grows in full sun or some shade. Moreover, zigzag goldenrod attracts pollinators and rarely deals with diseases and insect pests.
\n\n\n\nAlthough goldenrod plants are sometimes used as a supplement, it’s important to consult a medical professional before doing so. Some people, like pregnant and nursing women or people with health problems, shouldn’t use goldenrod supplements. Furthermore, it’s important to note that some species of goldenrod, such as rayless goldenrod, are toxic to some animals.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
Sun: Full sun to full shade (prefers partial shade)
Water needs: Moderate
Soil: Average, well-drained
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 1 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: Goldenrod supplements may have side effects, so consult a professional before taking them; some goldenrod species are toxic to some animals, and there’s a lack of data about the Solidago flexicaulis species, so practice caution and don’t let animals eat them
![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Wild-Hydrangea-Hydrangea-arborescens.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWild hydrangea is a showy plant that’s also listed on the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plants of Merit, meaning that it grows outstandingly well in Missouri and the surrounding regions. It tolerates a variety of soils as long as it gets enough moisture. Because wild hydrangea grows well in wet soils, it’s a perfect choice for a rain garden. However, the plant is susceptible to some diseases and insect pest problems, so it needs some extra care.
\n\n\n\nBe cautious, though, because all parts of this plant are toxic if ingested.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
Sun: Partial shade
Water needs: Moderate
Soil: Rocky, shallow, clay, average
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 3 to 5 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Flowering-Dogwood-Cornus-florida.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFlowering dogwood is a spring bloomer that looks great and attracts wildlife. Bees and butterflies enjoy its nectar and use it to lay eggs, and birds feast on its red berries in the fall. With its spring flowers and fall berries, flowering dogwood can help your yard stand out throughout the year. However, take note that the tree is susceptible to some diseases, and will need moderate maintenance.
\n\n\n\nAlso, it’s important to know that the tree, including the berries, is very poisonous to humans and pets. Never consume any part of it; leave it for local wildlife instead.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Small tree
Sun: Full sun, partial shade; prefers partial shade
Water needs: Can handle occasional dryness; prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil
Soil: Prefers high organic matter content; will tolerate sand, loam, and clay mixes
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 12 to 30 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Pawpaw](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pawpaw.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPawpaw offers a touch of tropical beauty with purple flowers in spring and fruits that mature in early fall. It’s a favorite snack of various pollinators, birds, and other wildlife like squirrels and raccoons. Because the tree likes moist soil, it’s ideal for a rain garden.
\n\n\n\nHowever, even though pawpaw is commonly seen as edible, it’s actually been found to contain harmful chemical compounds with toxic effects. You can consult a medical professional if you want to discuss the safety of the fruit. Avoid feeding it to your pets.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
Sun: Full sun to partial shade; prefers full sun
Water needs: Keep soil moderately moist to wet but well-drained
Soil: Tolerates average soil; prefers fertile, acidic soils
Duration: Perennial
Mature height: 15 to 30 feet
Potential hazards: Contains harmful toxins
For more information about native plants, you can check out GrowNative.org, where you can find a comprehensive list of plants that are native to Missouri.
\n\n\n\nWith such a wide selection of native plants, you can create a yard that not only looks beautiful but also supports local wildlife. Make sure you also pick one of the best grasses for Missouri to complement your plant selection.
\n\n\n\nOnce you pick the right plants and grass, you’re not done just yet. Your yard will need regular maintenance to thrive. If you’d like some help from a pro, get in touch with one of Wikilawn’s lawn care pros in Missouri.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Missouri Botanical Garden / Pixabay
\n","title":"Best Landscaping Plants for Your Missouri Yard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/1789c/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/107df/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.jpg 320w,\n/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/293e9/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.jpg 500w,\n/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/f2cbb/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.jpg 800w,\n/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/1789c/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.jpg 960w,\n/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/c26c2/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/1dd6e/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/67b76/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.webp 320w,\n/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/8df11/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.webp 500w,\n/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/98a65/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.webp 800w,\n/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/1dd6e/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.webp 960w,\n/static/ca45823f31b1c2d3fe764e0f1bfe88b9/3cc96/Missouri-Botanical-Garden.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Best Landscaping Plants for Your Missouri Yard","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Great landscaping turns an ordinary yard extraordinary, and it’s not difficult to achieve if you use the right plants and then give them a little TLC."}}},{"node":{"id":"aa8ee0f4-23af-5953-a8cc-8df00f9797bd","slug":"best-native-plants-missouri","path":"/lawn-care/mo/best-native-plants-missouri/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Farah Nauman is a freelance writer and an accountant based in Pakistan. She spends most of her time combating the South Asian heat and being a mom to her three fluffy cats and a dozen little Aloe Veras in her house.","name":"Farah Nauman","id":"26059a96-5dc7-50a2-8fe4-f35b865ab4a8","path":"/author/farah-nauman/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6ec8e652d318d98583d29f520928b219?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"}],"date":"May 24th, 2023","excerpt":"Gardening can be a drag when you struggle to keep your plants alive and vibrant, but you can enjoy a fantastic garden with one simple trick: Go with native plants that are adapted to our warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Need a guide? Here are 16 native plants that will transform your Missouri yard. […]
\n","content":"\nGardening can be a drag when you struggle to keep your plants alive and vibrant, but you can enjoy a fantastic garden with one simple trick: Go with native plants that are adapted to our warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Need a guide? Here are 16 native plants that will transform your Missouri yard.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nNative plants are indigenous to an area, so they have adapted to a certain set of environmental conditions, including a region’s climate, soil, temperature, and light conditions. This happens over the course of hundreds or thousands of years.
\n\n\n\nMissouri native plants grow naturally in our climate and geology and amid our wildlife. In fact, many wildlife species depend on native plants for habitat and survival. They essentially become a part of the region’s ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nPlanting natives isn’t just easy, it’s also beneficial to your environment. Take a look at a few advantages of native plants:
\n\n\n\nHere is a collection of Missouri’s best natives that will give you a low-maintenance landscape.
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Black-eyed-Susan-Rudbeckia-hirta.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nThe showy black-eyed Susan plant is known for its yellow to orange-yellow rays and dark brown centers that attract butterflies. It is typically found in fields, prairies, open woods, waste areas, and roadsides throughout the state.
\n\n\n\nThe black-eyed Susan is a hairy, coarse, and somewhat weedy plant. And that might bother you, but the freshness of daisy-like flowers and chocolate brown disks atop a stiff, upright, leafy stem will make up for it. Black-eyed Susans are tough, too. They resist deer, insects, and diseases. They also self-seed and are perfect for mass plantings, cottage gardens, annual beds, wild gardens, and meadows.
\n\n\n\nThis native plant naturally attracts butterflies and bees, prefers dry soil, and is easy to maintain as well. It does well both in the ground and in containers.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous perennial
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 3 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Annual (can be perennial or biennial)
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Loam or sandy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cardinal-Flower-Lobelia-cardinalis.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nThis native plant produces large, distinctive, bright red petals and has a spiky, upright appearance that makes it stand out in a landscape. The cardinal flower, which takes its name from the red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals, can grow as tall as 6 feet and grows naturally along stream banks, and in swamps and moist places.
\n\n\n\nThat doesn’t mean you have to live in a swamp to enjoy it. The cardinal flower grows well in average soil conditions and does well in both full sun and partial shade. The upright stems and bright flowers attract lots of winged visitors and are a popular source of nectar for hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nThis is one of the most low-maintenance native plants you can get because it wards off pests and disease really well. In ideal growing conditions, it may self-seed.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower, herbaceous
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1 to 6 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade, or full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Loam, sand, clay
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Blue-Vervain-Verbena-hastata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nVerbena hastata is also known as swamp verbena or American vervain and is found all over the U.S. Blue vervain features a hairy, stiff, straight stem that grows as tall as 5 feet and features flowering spikes of violet, deep purple, or (rarely) white blooms. Trust this plant to add texture and structure to your Missouri landscape with its upright stems and groups of bluish-purple flowers blooming from early summer to early fall.
\n\n\n\nIts densely packed flowers are used by herbalists and may also be incorporated into bath and body products such as foot creams and soaks. Blue vervain attracts butterflies, bumblebees, and birds of all sorts. It prefers well-drained soils and performs best when paired with full, bright sun.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist or wet
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/White-Beardtongue-Penstemon-digitalis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nAlso known as foxglove beardtongue or talus slope penstemon, this Missouri native occurs naturally in open woods, fields, meadows, and prairies, or any place that has sandy and moist soils. A perennial, the white beardtongue forms tubular clusters of showy white flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nOne of the many advantages of inviting white beardtongue into your yard is that it won’t have any serious diseases or pest issues. This plant prefers well-drained soil but is super easy to grow and maintain otherwise.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to July
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, loamy
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pawpaw-Asimina-Triloba.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAsimina Triloba is a small tree, though it looks more like a shrub due to its short-heightened trunk, that grows 10 to 40 feet tall. It features large, tropical-like leaves that turn from green to a beautiful yellow-green in fall and sprout purple flowers. When it has matured, pawpaw grows cylindric, yellow, or dark-green edible fruit.
\n\n\n\nThe deciduous pawpaw fruit has a banana-like taste and is typically consumed raw or used in pies and ice creams. It attracts wildlife but does not attract serious insect or disease problems.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to May
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Medium to wet, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThis widely branched deciduous flowering shrub is native to rocky wooded slopes, moist stream banks, and ravines. Wild hydrangea features broad egg-like round, dark green leaves with pale undersides, and sharp teeth all around. These leaves turn fully yellow in the fall.
\n\n\n\nIt bursts with clusters of tiny white flowers, but a few large sterile flowers may appear around the cluster margins. Hydrangea can grow in almost any type of soil but prefer to stay moderately moist at all times. It can be a good choice for a rain garden in Missouri owing to its high tolerance for wet soils.
\n\n\n\nOn the down side, wild hydrangea is susceptible to several insect and disease problems such as bacterial wilt, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and aphids.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flowering plant
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, shallow, rocky
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Flowering-Dogwood-Cornus-florida-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThis is a popular tree found throughout the Eastern United States. It produces beautiful white blooms around April and May and develops bright red fruits in the late summer. Flowering dogwood’s green tree leaves turn into rust and then go through multiple hues of red in the fall.
\n\n\n\nThe good part is, this dogwood tree is not a high-maintenance native. In fact, it prefers partial shade to grow. However, you might want to take care of diseases because flowering dogwood can develop diseases like powdery mildew, dogwood anthracnose, root rot, and more when it’s stressed.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nMature size: 15 to 30 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to June
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade, prefers partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, acidic, and average soil with lots of organic matter
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Blazing-Star-Liatris-spicata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Drew Avery / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nPrairie blazing star is a low-maintenance flower that provides a nice pop of color in your garden. It produces tall, leafy stalks that develop spikes of rounded, fluffy, deep purple flower heads. Blazing star grows best in well-drained soils with a full sun but does fine in poor soils as well. It is highly tolerant of humidity and summer heat and is a generally low-maintenance plant.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, average soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium, prefers dry or moderately moist soil
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Spicebush-Lindera-benzoin.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThis deciduous shrub can grow as tall as 15 feet and have a unique aroma to it. Spicebush shrub develops a brown or gray-brown bark with light-colored lenticels speckled around. It produces clusters of small, yellow flowers in early spring and smooth-margined leaves. These leaves are crushed to extract the spicy odor they produce.
\n\n\n\nSpicebush is tolerant of deer and heavy shade. The lightly scented flora will also attract colorful birds and butterflies to your Missouri lawn. But this plant is sensitive to drought and heat. Male varieties of these plants develop relatively larger greenish-yellow flowers whereas the female spicebush may also produce a small red fruit with a male pollinator.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6 to 15 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: February to March
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Loam or sandy soils, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs:
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Purple-Coneflower-Echinacea-purpurea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nEchinacea purpurea is a herbaceous perennial from the Asteraceae family and is one of the toughest Missouri native plants. It’s super easy to grow and maintain. Purple coneflower can power through several challenging environments, be it drought, humidity, heat, or poor soil conditions.
\n\n\n\nApart from its impressive adaptability, this plant may also make a popular spot for hummingbirds and insects. It typically grows up to 5 feet tall and produces daisy-like, showy flowers that bloom throughout the summer months. It also bears coarse, dark green foliage around a stiff stem that remains erect well into the winter.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade, but prefers full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\n![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Blue-Lobelia-Lobelia-siphilitica.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Agnieszka Kwiecień / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nBlue lobelia resembles cardinal flowers and is commonly known as a blue cardinal flower as well. It makes a great choice for rain gardens and is good if you wish to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your yards. This herbaceous perennial gives blue flowers that bloom from mid-summer all through early fall. These blue flowers have striped tubes and are accompanied by leaves with toothed margins.
\n\n\n\nIt’s extremely hardy, pest-free, and fairly a low-care plant. You can count on blue lobelia to not become invasive despite being a self-seeding plant.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 4 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: September to October
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High to medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Swamp-Milkweed-Asclepias-incarnata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis moisture-loving perennial grows up to 5 feet tall in sunny openings of swamps, bogs, marshes, fens, and along stream banks. It has an erect stem with narrow, lance-shaped, and sharp-tipped leaves. Swamp milkweed develops fragrant clusters of flowers in pink, mauve, or reddish-violet color.
\n\n\n\nSwamp milkweed flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies from all around. It’s also an important source of food for monarch caterpillars. However, it also invites a variety of insects, that aren’t a problem unless the plant shows signs of sickness.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs:
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Orange](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Butterfly-Milkweed-Asclepias-tuberosa.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis is another low-maintenance native plant that will fill your Missouri garden with a lovely color from early to mid-summer. It’s a tuberous rooted plant that occurs mostly in dry or rocky open woods, prairies, glades, roadsides, and fields. Butterfly milkweed develops clusters of yellow-orange or bright-orange flowers that sit atop hairy stems. The stems are clad with narrow, lance-shaped leaves.
\n\n\n\nThese flowers serve as a source of nectar for butterflies and its leaves are a popular food source for monarch butterfly larvae. Butterfly milkweed is also drought tolerant and well-performing in dry or poor soils.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1 to 2.5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pink-Turtlehead-Chelone-lyonii.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThis tall Missouri wildflower is also known as “Rose Turtlehead.” It blooms between late summer and early fall. It produces bright pink hooded flowers that rest on top of stiff, square stems. Pink turtlehead flowers look like the heads of open-mouthed turtles and get their name from this very resemblance.
\n\n\n\nIt best grows in medium to wet soils with full sun to part shade, but can also do okay in part shade areas. Although resistant to disease and insects, pink turtlehead shows some susceptibility to mildew, especially if the soil is dry or has poor air circulation.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1.5 to 6.5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late July to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, rich, clay, loamy, sandy
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Red-Buckeye-Aesculus-pavia.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Chris M Morris / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nRed buckeye is a clump-forming deciduous shrub that creates an irregular crown and bears erect, showy panicles of orange-red to red, tubular flowers. These flowers bloom in spring and begin to decline late in the season along with its dark green, shiny leaves.
\n\n\n\nThis plant also produces light-brown, globular seed capsules that encase 1 to 3 shiny but poisonous seeds. These seeds ripen in the fall and are avoided by wildlife. Red buckeye flowers, however, attract hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Deciduous shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: 12 to 15 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to May
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Prairie-Dropseed-Sporobolus-heterolepis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nSporobolus hereolepis is favored by many homeowners and landscapers for its decorative appearance. It is a fine-textured ornamental grass with long, arching leaves that form beautiful round tufts. From rich green hues in summer to shades of golden and orange, this Missouri native grass stays pretty late into the fall.
\n\n\n\nPrairie dropseed has resilient foliage that powers through snow and extremely low temperatures. It’s a slow-growing grass but isn’t fussy about soil type and growing conditions.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Grass
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 3 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Rocky, sandy, clay
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nPicking native plants does not always turn out to be a win-win situation. The key is to select the right natives that will naturally perform well with the light, soil, and wind exposure in your locality.
\n\n\n\nTo do that, make sure you take into account the plant’s USDA Hardiness Zone range. This range essentially helps in determining the most suitable native plants for your Missouri yard. Missouri Hardiness Zone is 5b through 7a.
\n\n\n\nAnd when your new native plants have made their way to your home, it’s time to create a final look with some landscaping around the other parts of your garden. You can take a few ideas from Wikilawn’s page to pick the best grass types and low-maintenance plants for your Missouri landscape.
\n\n\n\nIf you feel like it’s a little too much to manage, call in one of our pros to handle all the planning, planting, and maintenance work for you.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo by: Lydia Fravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"16 Native Plants That Will Transform Your Missouri Yard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/1789c/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/107df/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 320w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/293e9/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 500w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/f2cbb/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 800w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/1789c/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 960w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/c26c2/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/1dd6e/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/67b76/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 320w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/8df11/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 500w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/98a65/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 800w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/1dd6e/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 960w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/3cc96/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"16 Native Plants That Will Transform Your Missouri Yard | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Are you struggling with fussy plants? You can have a stunning yard without a lot of effort if you go with these 16 native plants."}}},{"node":{"id":"9ba1fa4f-94e7-5631-9b5d-c0a994fdfbeb","slug":"spring-lawn-care-tips-st-louis","path":"/lawn-care/mo/st-louis/spring-lawn-care-tips-st-louis/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nick Crawford is a blog writer based in Philadelphia. He enjoys writing just as much as he enjoys reading a good book, cooking, and working out in his spare time.","name":"Nick Crawford","id":"5213edde-9943-5767-a5ae-163493ecfae5","path":"/author/nick-crawford/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7ce3281d49bd9eb99cb1c4f0200247d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"},{"id":"3f02f7ac-cb76-5555-b9a8-490ee8121fe0","name":"St. Louis","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/st-louis/"}],"date":"May 15th, 2023","excerpt":"Spring in St. Louis can be gorgeous, especially once that signature Midwest frost begins to thaw. But don’t stand around too long admiring the scenery. There are some things you need to do to get your own yard in shape. If you follow these six tips to boost your lawn care routine in the spring, you’ll […]
\n","content":"\nSpring in St. Louis can be gorgeous, especially once that signature Midwest frost begins to thaw. But don’t stand around too long admiring the scenery. There are some things you need to do to get your own yard in shape. If you follow these six tips to boost your lawn care routine in the spring, you’ll get the most out of your grass all year long.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/solar-panels-working-14.jpg\")
Photo Credit: KathrynHatashitaLee / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nCaring for your lawn always requires a proper lawn mower. But your mower also needs care, especially after sitting in your garage for the winter. By performing this maintenance early in the Spring, you can avoid having to do it during the summer when the necessary yard work begins to pile up.
\n\n\n\nHere are the things you need to do to get this essential piece of lawn care equipment ready for use.
\n\n\n\nSharpening your lawn mower’s blades is one oft-forgotten bit of maintenance. Trying to cut your grass with a dull blade is similar to shaving with a dull razor. You may end up tearing or ‘bruising’ the grass rather than shearing it neatly, which will hinder growth. And if your mower has a motor, it’ll have to work harder to get through your grass with a dull blade, which will wear it out faster.
\n\n\n\nHere is how to sharpen your lawn mower’s blades:
\n\n\n\nAs a quick note, you can use a hand grinder to sharpen a lawn mower blade. However, these blades are made with soft metal, and the friction from a grinder could heat the metal enough to damage it if you’re not careful.
\n\n\n\nIf you have experience using a grinder, you can follow the same procedure as you would with a file. Should the blade begin to heat up, stop for a minute and let it cool down, or run some water over it.
\n\n\n\nJust like your car, your lawn mower needs oil to reduce friction within the engine’s parts. The heat from the engine eventually causes the oil to break down, which is made worse if that oil sits in your mower over the winter.
\n\n\n\nYour lawn mower’s engine oil should be changed every 50 hours of mowing or once every spring and summer, whichever comes first. Use a dipstick and only fill the oil to the designated mark.
\n\n\n\nUse high-quality engine oil in your lawn mower. 10W30 is the most common grade of motor oil, and it should be as suitable for most mowers as it is for cars and trucks.
\n\n\n\nHowever, check the owner’s manual to find out if your lawn mower has a four-stroke engine or a two-stroke engine. A two-stroke engine requires a mixture of gasoline and oil to function, usually ranging from 30:1 to 50:1 for the ratio of gas to oil. Two-stroke engines aren’t as common thanks to emissions regulations, but they are still around.
\n\n\n\n![\"Brown](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Rake-Debris.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David Goehring / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nDead leaves, twigs, and branches can accumulate on your lawn over the fall and winter, especially if there are trees on or near your property. When it snows, this detritus will form a tightly packed carpet over your lawn that prevents your grass from getting enough sun.
\n\n\n\nYou should remove as many twigs and branches as you can in the spring so they don’t interfere with mowing or seeding. As for the fallen leaves, the traditional approach is to rake them, bag them, and have them taken to your local landfill. But, there is a better solution.
\n\n\n\nFallen leaves make fantastic organic compost. Simply shred the leaves into smaller bits with your lawn mower for easier absorption as they decompose. You can even add grass clippings and spread the mix around your flower bed as mulch.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/pxfuel.com-7-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel
\n\n\n\nMany homeowners don’t realize that the soil in their lawn is just as alive as the plants that grow from it. It can change due to pollution, but the seasons also affect soil composition.
\n\n\n\nMissouri is home to over 500 types of soil, though menfro is the state soil. This clay-rich forest soil is well-drained and densely packed with decaying plant matter, making it very fertile. However, St. Louis’ location along the Central Missouri valley means that soil erosion sometimes makes for weak topsoil.
\n\n\n\nThough menfro soil is well known, you should still have your soil tested to determine whether you need to supplement it with more nitrogen, calcium, lime, or other minerals.
\n\n\n\nTypically, you would fertilize in the fall to provide your lawn with enough nutrients to get through the winter, especially if you have warm-season grass. However, you can help boost new growth with a light layer of fertilizer once during the spring.
\n\n\n\nIf you choose to add fertilizer in the spring, use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Faster fertilizers may encourage faster growth, but that isn’t always the best thing for young growth. You could even end up burning and damaging your grass.
\n\n\n\nTo fertilize your lawn, apply a thin, even layer using a spreader. Hand-spreading the fertilizer may result in an inconsistent coating and missed spots. You also run the risk of adding too much fertilizer, and too much of a good thing is never good.
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mow-More-Cut-Less.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxHere
\n\n\n\nGrowing your grass is like growing hair, and a timely trim of both can help maintain a desirable appearance. But don’t wait until the summer to start up the lawnmower. Keeping your lawn well-groomed early on can go a long way toward preventing weeds from popping up.
\n\n\n\nThere are a few rules of thumb when it comes to mowing your lawn:
\n\n\n\nPlants need water to survive, and your lawn is no different. However, you shouldn’t irrigate your lawn until after the grass begins growing. The soil will still have leftover moisture from the temperature change and any snow or ice that may have thawed.
\n\n\n\nWhen watering your lawn, you should only water until the top six to eight inches of topsoil is wet. That’s the layer where most turfgrasses establish their roots.
\n\n\n\nDo not overwater your lawn. It may be tempting to simply dump a large amount of water on your soil and leave it for the week, but you could easily drown new grass. Too much water can also leave your lawn vulnerable to fungi and disease due to shallow root growth.
\n\n\n\nThe best practice is to water your lawn three times a week in the spring. Check your local weather to avoid watering on a day when it’ll rain.
\n\n\n\nOn the opposite end, don’t underwater your lawn, either. Lack of water will dry out the soil, which can already be a common problem with menfro soil.
\n\n\n\nYou can test the moisture level of your soil with a screwdriver. Insert the head of the tool into your lawn. If you can push it in easily, the soil is moist. If you need to apply pressure or hear a ‘crackling’ sound as the dirt breaks, you need to add more water to your lawn.
\n\n\n\nFrontloading your yard work while your grass is still growing will pay off when you can spend more time simply enjoying the lawn when the St. Louis weather turns warm. But, the key word is work. You’ll have to put in the time and effort to cultivate a beautiful lawn.
\n\n\n\nAlternatively, you could put your lawn in the hands of a local lawn care professional, who will know exactly what needs to be done to clear your spring landscaping checklist.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Neighborhood, St. Louis / Unsplash
\n","title":"6 Spring Lawn Care Tips For St. Louis","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/1789c/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/107df/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/293e9/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/f2cbb/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/1789c/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/c26c2/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/1dd6e/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/67b76/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 320w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/8df11/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 500w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/98a65/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 800w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/1dd6e/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 960w,\n/static/2208716b6c1c53d33980b6c9d8ae2573/3cc96/kay-ingulli-n4WOKspqr4-unsplash-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"6 Spring Lawn Care Tips For St. Louis | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Spring is a critical time for your grass. It needs some TLC, and doing it correctly will give your lawn the foundation it needs to thrive all year long"}}},{"node":{"id":"d8e87480-1a22-5b75-9637-ce33b462bff6","slug":"low-maintenance-landscaping-missouri","path":"/lawn-care/mo/low-maintenance-landscaping-missouri/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Farah Nauman is a freelance writer and an accountant based in Pakistan. She spends most of her time combating the South Asian heat and being a mom to her three fluffy cats and a dozen little Aloe Veras in her house.","name":"Farah Nauman","id":"26059a96-5dc7-50a2-8fe4-f35b865ab4a8","path":"/author/farah-nauman/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6ec8e652d318d98583d29f520928b219?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"}],"date":"May 15th, 2023","excerpt":"Lawn maintenance is no joke. There’s a lot of time, tools, planning, sweat, and hard work involved in getting a lawn to look great all seasons of the year. Makes you wonder if it’s even possible to achieve an all-year green landscape, right? It is. Consider incorporating low-maintenance landscaping for your Missouri yard and save […]
\n","content":"\nLawn maintenance is no joke. There’s a lot of time, tools, planning, sweat, and hard work involved in getting a lawn to look great all seasons of the year. Makes you wonder if it’s even possible to achieve an all-year green landscape, right?
\n\n\n\nIt is. Consider incorporating low-maintenance landscaping for your Missouri yard and save tons of exhausting upkeep hours. Low-care landscaping is simply just using plants that don’t require much mowing, fertilizing, watering, weeding, or pest control and, consequently, cutting down your maintenance costs and time.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we will explore these 10 low-maintenance landscaping ideas:
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fire-Pit.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Rochester Concrete Products / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nPatios, decks, and other such hard surfaces add a nice, long-lasting usable living space in your house. Not to mention, they require little to no maintenance. For instance, concrete pavers give a more structured and cleaner look for spaces like walkways, and the upkeep is relatively easier than other alternatives.
\n\n\n\nYou can also incorporate fences, sidewalks, and edging around beds to minimize the need for hand trimming. Also, make sure you keep the edges of these hard surfaces flat and low to eliminate the need for hand edging when using a power mower – it can easily ride over if the surface is flat, saving you time and energy.
\n\n\n\nOther examples of hardscapes that make a great addition to any yard include:
\n\n\n\nAdding more hardscapes to your home also means you will have fewer living plants to tend to. This means less mowing, pruning, watering, weeding, or dealing with pests. All you have to do is do some occasional cleaning.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of Hardscapes:
\n\n\n\nThe position and placement of plants, whether they are potted or planted, are important. If plants in your yard are scattered, they need more care than plants that are massed in groups. You will have to expend more time hand-edging and trimming individual plants if they’re apart.
\n\n\n\nPlus, flaws on a single shrub, tree, or flower will stand out more and call for immediate remedy whereas plants in clusters easily conceal each other’s shortcomings. Periodic maintenance of packed-together plants also costs you less, both in terms of money and time.
\n\n\n\nGroup plants that have the same environmental preferences instead of planting a variety of plants with dissimilar needs.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of Grouping Plants:
\n\n\n\n![\"Artificial](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Artificial-Turf.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nThe most prominent and largest part of almost every Missouri landscape is grass. It’s the base. Grass adds the texture, color, scent, and comfort that a lawn needs. But this turf also requires consistent care and maintenance to look its best.
\n\n\n\nTry to reduce grassy areas in your landscape if you’re looking to cut some maintenance costs. Lawn alternatives, such as artificial turf, do not require water, mulch, fertilizer, or sunlight to stay alive and green.
\n\n\n\nSynthetic grass looks real (you can barely tell the difference), stays fluffy, and need no maintenance at all. The initial cost may seem a bit high, but it’s a worthwhile investment.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of Lawn Alternatives:
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4608457413_921dff2b0e_c-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Rachel Kramer / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nMulch is essentially a layer of organic, or inorganic, matter that suppresses weeds, helps in breaking down fertilizer, and protects soil moisture in your landscape beds. It’s quite inexpensive and needs no care or maintenance whatsoever. Additional advantages of layering up mulch include reduced soil compaction, erosion control, and soil temperature moderation.
\n\n\n\nUse two to four inches of mulch around your plants. Organic mulch is made of shredded bark or wood chips that add organic matter to the soil. Mulching your garden beds, shrubs, and trees will facilitate mowing and reduce the chances of damage from string trimmers of mowers to the stem. This will reduce your lawn work by a great deal.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of Mulch:
\n\n\n\nHome landscaping looks and feels more intimate if you keep it small and cute. If you’re looking to create a low-maintenance lawn but don’t have the time to keep a manicured look, maybe consider downscaling it a little.
\n\n\n\nIt takes no time to plant a flower garden or colorful vegetable, but it takes considerably more time to keep it healthy, watered, and harvested. You can reduce the size of the maintenance-needing part of your landscape by turning it into a container garden or putting in small potted plants.
\n\n\n\nThey are easier to look after and you can move them around to refresh your landscape view any way you feel like.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of Reducing Landscape Size:
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/lawn-in-missouri.jpg\")
Main Image Credit: HornColumbia / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe simpler your landscape is, the easier it is to look after it and maintain your curb appeal. Low-maintenance landscaping involves clean designs and fewer features that won’t require a village for periodic cleaning and care.
\n\n\n\nIf your lawn has frills such as water features and statues, eliminate them or redesign them for easy care and maintenance. Also, avoid over-planting so you don’t have to constantly spend time and money on pruning.
\n\n\n\nPlant several different kinds of plants for more texture and color in your landscape, but make sure you don’t go overboard as it may create a busy appearance.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of a Simple Design:
\n\n\n\nCreating more living space and limiting the grassy areas in your landscape can save you time and energy spent on tending to a lawn. You can do so by building a nice grilling area, deck, patio, fire pit, or outdoor dining area where you can enjoy with friends and family.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of Outdoor Living Spaces:
\n\n\n\n![\"Xeriscaping](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/xeriscaping.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Tom Hilton / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nXeriscaping is a design approach that assembles a landscape in a way that limits or eliminates the need for irrigation. This method mostly uses drought-tolerant plants and hardscaping features to promote water movement only to areas where that need it.
\n\n\n\nAfter xeriscaping, your landscape will do just fine with the water it receives from natural rainfall. But before plan, consult a professional or research thoroughly on how to prep for xeriscaping since it can be a long process.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of Xeriscaping:
\n\n\n\nPerennials are known for their hardiness and ability to stick around all year round. When you’re choosing flowers or grass beds for your Missouri landscape, make sure you plant plenty of perennials instead of annual plants.
\n\n\n\nWith annuals, you have to replant them every year but they continue to grow all season long. This is not the case with perennials. You won’t have to replant them every year, perennials simply go dormant and come back to life once their blooming season arrives, year after year. However, they may bloom for a shorter period compared to annuals.
\n\n\n\nA few popular perennials you can use:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of Planting Perennials:
\n\n\n\nThese 10 tips to create a low-maintenance landscape may look too much but are pretty doable if know what you want and how to do it.
\n\n\n\nBut if you don’t, you can always reach out to a local pro at Wikilawn to help you plan and execute a low-care landscape for you.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Paul Sableman / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"Low-Maintenance Landscaping for Missouri","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/1789c/lawn-in-missouri-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/107df/lawn-in-missouri-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/293e9/lawn-in-missouri-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/f2cbb/lawn-in-missouri-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/1789c/lawn-in-missouri-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/c26c2/lawn-in-missouri-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/1dd6e/lawn-in-missouri-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/67b76/lawn-in-missouri-1.webp 320w,\n/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/8df11/lawn-in-missouri-1.webp 500w,\n/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/98a65/lawn-in-missouri-1.webp 800w,\n/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/1dd6e/lawn-in-missouri-1.webp 960w,\n/static/1e9cde03113c794a974debafcc26eb8f/3cc96/lawn-in-missouri-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Low-Maintenance Landscaping for Missouri | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Reflect natural beauty in your own yard without being overwhelmed by the maintenance with these low-maintenance landscaping tips for Missouri"}}},{"node":{"id":"54cd9305-bdd8-5387-85d7-ad484f5ab84c","slug":"best-native-plants-st-louis","path":"/lawn-care/mo/st-louis/best-native-plants-st-louis/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nick Crawford is a blog writer based in Philadelphia. He enjoys writing just as much as he enjoys reading a good book, cooking, and working out in his spare time.","name":"Nick Crawford","id":"5213edde-9943-5767-a5ae-163493ecfae5","path":"/author/nick-crawford/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7ce3281d49bd9eb99cb1c4f0200247d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"},{"id":"3f02f7ac-cb76-5555-b9a8-490ee8121fe0","name":"St. Louis","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/st-louis/"}],"date":"April 11th, 2023","excerpt":"St. Louis is home to some of the most vibrant plant life Mother Nature has to offer. You can create beautiful scenery around your home by embracing this and using native plants to add a unique pop to your St. Louis property. In this article: Why Should You Add Native Plants to Your Landscape? You […]
\n","content":"\nSt. Louis is home to some of the most vibrant plant life Mother Nature has to offer. You can create beautiful scenery around your home by embracing this and using native plants to add a unique pop to your St. Louis property.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nYou have a spectacular number of plant and flower choices when creating and curating your garden. Yet, the benefits of selecting native plants are undeniable. They have breathtaking beauty that can complement any home, even deep in the heart of the city.
\n\n\n\nNative plants have evolved with the wildlife, geology, and climate of the St. Louis area for thousands of years, so they are already well adapted to their surroundings. A large part of landscape care involves getting your plants used to the area in which you’ve planted them. With native plants, you don’t have to worry as much about adapting your garden to the local climate or soil composition.
\n\n\n\nBecause native plants don’t require the same amount of irrigation, pesticides, or fertilizer as non-native plants, they allow you to focus more on other aspects of your landscaping. And you can save money in the long run by cutting down on the number of gardening supplies you need.
\n\n\n\nIf you’ve decided to fill your garden with native plants, you may be wondering which plants to choose. Here are ten great selections to help get you started.
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20438010001_c9368f4673_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nPrairie dropseed is a perennial ornamental grass. Its finely textured leaves curve outward to form large tufts in a pattern reminiscent of some desert plants. They are pale green in the summer, and in fall they turn a golden-orange shade that fades to bronze in the winter.
\n\n\n\nThough prairie dropseed grow slowly, it requires little water once established. You can easily grow prairie dropseed in dry, sandy soil thanks to its high drought tolerance. It does enjoy large amounts of sun, however, so keep it as far in the open as possible.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Grass
\n\n\n\nSun needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy, rocky, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2-3 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/51468466866_72df214b51_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lydia Faravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nSometimes called ‘Rose Turtlehead’, the pink turtlehead is a tall Missouri wildflower with a neat and tight clumping habit. It gets its name from the rosy, two-lipped flowers that resemble an open-mouthed turtle’s head. It’s common name honors the early 19th century botanist John Lyons.
\n\n\n\nThis native perennial blooms between late summer and early fall. It best thrives in cooler climates with mild summers and moist soil. Aside from looking beautiful, the pink turtlehead’s bright color is also great for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.
\n\n\n\nPink turtlehead possesses a high shade tolerance. However, growing it in too much shade may result in drooping stems that require support from a sturdier species.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, loamy, sandy, rich, moist
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1.5-6.5 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"Eastern](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/eastern-redbud.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe eastern redbud is a very popular deciduous, multi-trunked tree that brightens any landscape with vibrant pink and purple blooms. These pea-shaped flowers blossom on the bare branches for two weeks in the early spring before the foliage develops.
\n\n\n\nYou can easily grow eastern redbud in well-drained moderately furtile soil. However, the pH balance of the soil doesn’t matter much as long as its not moist.
\n\n\n\nEastern redbud is the perfect tree for homeowners who want low maintenance plants in their landscape. Awarded a place among the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Plants of Merit, it can grow as much as 30 feet tall with a large spread that will provide a gorgeous spot of shade on your property.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial sun, shade
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Dry
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Dry, moist
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20-35 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Showy-Goldenrod.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dseiver / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThe zigzag goldenrod is a perennial that is native to the woodlands of Missouri. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a wildflower that can survive in the shade.
\n\n\n\nZigzag goldenrod gets its name from its two distinct characteristics, which are its wavy stems and powdery yellow flowers. Its flowers tend to attract bees and butterflies with their vibrant color.
\n\n\n\nYou can typically grow zigzag goldenrod between July and September for a pop of color in your garden late in the summer.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to full shade. (Prefers partial shade.)
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Average, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1-3 feet tall
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: PumpkinSky / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nIf you want a highly adaptable plant that can tolerate a variety of adverse conditions, the purple coneflower is an excellent choice. This perennial can tolerate dry to medium well-drained soil as long as it gets plenty of sunlight.
\n\n\n\nTypically grown during the summer months, the purple coneflower is a popular spot for insects and hummingbirds. In addition, this pink-purple daisy-like species makes a lovely bocquet as a cut flower.
\n\n\n\nBecause it is native to many prairies and meadows heat, humidity, and even drought are no obstacles for the purple coneflower. It is, however, susceptible to aster yellows disease and leaf spot, so be on the lookout for these issues.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade. (Does best in full sun.)
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Average, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2-5 feet tall
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/8634828149_21c0f182e9_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: NatureServe / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe spicebush does more than serve as a lovely and aromatic accent piece to any garden. This deciduous shrub also grows fragrant leaves that are essential to the ecosystem. Larval caterpillars feed on these leaves and eventually evolve into the swallowtail butterfly, one of the rarest butterfly species.
\n\n\n\nMale and female varieties of these plants both develop clusters of greenish-yellow flowers, with the male flowers being larger. However, the female spicebush can develop a small red fruit with the help of a male pollinator.
\n\n\n\nYou can grow the spicebush in full sun or shade. But a spicebush in the shade doesn’t grow flowers as vibrant as one grown in full sunlight.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy, loamy, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6-12 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Weed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe butterfly milkweed is a tuberous perennial that gets its name from the attractive nectar it produces. Butterflies and their larvae are easily drawn to these clusters of bright orange-yellow flowers.
\n\n\n\nYou can expect the butterfly milkweed to bloom from early June through August, lending their lovely color to any St. Louis summer garden early to mid-summer.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Can tolerate poor soil but must be well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1-2.5 feet tall
\n\n\n\n![\"purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Northern-Blazing-Star.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Doug McGrady / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe blazing star is native to St. Louis and has a unique appearance. Its deep purple flower heads are shaped like stars and form a tight cluster around a long stem to mimic an upright bottle brush.
\n\n\n\nThese prairie flowers love full sun, so be sure to plant them in an area where they’ll receive as much exposure as possible. Other than the sunlight requirement, blazing star is a low-maintenance flower that helps any garden stand out.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Keep soil dry or moderately moist
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Average, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2-5 feet tall
\n\n\n\n![\"cluster](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pawpaw.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wendell Smith / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis native of Missouri is typically classified as a tree, though it more resembles a small shrub. The pawpaw has large, drooping leaves that retain their bright green color into the late fall before turning yellow.
\n\n\n\nThe most distinctive feature of the pawpaw is its purple flowers, which bloom in spring. They then become oblong yellow-green fruits that mature to a deep brown in the fall. These fruits have a consistency and flavor comparable to bananas, and they work well in ice creams and pies.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade; prefers full sun
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Keep soil moderately moist to wet but well-drained
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Tolerates average soil; prefers fertile, acidic soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 15-30 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cardinal_flower_Lobelia_cardinalis_027.jpg\")
Photo Credit: linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe cardinal flower’s large, bright red petals add a dramatic pop to any landscape the native perennial finds itself adorning. Some of these petals stick straight up, giving the flower a spiky appearance that stands out well among most other flora.
\n\n\n\nYou get the best results in a slightly shady garden that attracts the attention of pollinators like hummingbirds. The cardinal flower loves moist soil, which makes it a great choice for a rain garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sand, loam, clay, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1-6 feet
\n\n\n\nIf you have an interest in filling your garden with some of the gorgeous native plants of St. Louis, here are some resources to help you learn more:
\n\n\n\nNative plants add a lot of convenience to gardening while allowing you to explore the beauty of nature. And the selection of native plants you can add to your garden is vast. If you would like assistance with choosing flora for your St. Louis property, talk to a local professional.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Butterfly Milkweed / Salicyna / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n","title":"10 Native Plants For Your St. Louis Yard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.343784994400896,"src":"/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/1789c/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/107df/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 320w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/293e9/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 500w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/f2cbb/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 800w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/1789c/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 960w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/c26c2/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/1dd6e/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/67b76/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 320w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/8df11/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 500w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/98a65/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 800w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/1dd6e/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 960w,\n/static/e9ede9ccdb4445a5c9407b06f946f0a9/3cc96/Asclepias_tuberosa_2015-07-01_3812.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Native Plants For Your St. Louis Yard | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Many plants that are native to St. Louis, but which ones are best for your garden? Start by choosing from these beautiful and hardy options."}}}],"metaTitle":"Everything You Need to Know About Missouri Page % Page | Wikilawn %","metaDescription":"Looking for info on Missouri ? Wikilawn has everything you need to know.","prevPageLink":null,"nextPageLink":"/category/lawn-care/mo/page/2/","currentPage":1}}}