2010 Season |
| Grow Native is a joint program of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Grow Native! program helps protect and restore our state's biodiversity by increasing conservation awareness of native plants and their effective use. By building partnerships among private industry, non-profit organizations, government agencies and landowners, Grow Native! aims to significantly increase the demand for and use of native plants on all landscapes. (All information and photographs are from the Grown Native website) For more information, please click on the logo above to visit their website. |
| Grow Native Grasses for Sun |
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Andropogon Gerardi – Big Bluestem
Columnar upright clumps of green to blue-green leaves in summer. Foliage turns rich orange and copper-red in fall. Flower heads resembling upside down turkey claws appear in late August. They open red and turn darker with age. If left up, the foliage adds interest to the winter landscape and provides cover for wildlife. Use as a hedge or screen. Can be used at the back of a native plant garden. Will grow 5 to 9 feet. Full Sun |
Schizachyrium scoparium - Little Bluestem
A small, non-spreading, clump-forming grass with blue-green leaves that turn reddish orange in the fall. Fluffy silver seed heads are ornamental through winter. Full Sun |
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Chasmanthium latifolium - Northern Sea Oats
Northern Sea Oats have upright clumps of bamboolike foliage. Green leaves turn copper in fall and brown in winter. Attractive flat flower spikes droop down from stems. They prefers light shade and damp soil. Can self-sow prolifically. Will take light shade |
Sporobolus heterolepis - Prairie Dropseed
Very thin, emerald green leaves form a dense arching tuft. Seed heads form in August and give off a distinct aroma. These graceful clumps turn yellow or deep orange in fall. Provides food and cover for wildlife. A 2005 Missouri Botanical Garden Plants of Merit winner. Full Sun |
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Bouteloua curtipendula - Sideoats Grama
This prairie grass has reddish orange flowers thatdangle along one side of slender stems. Narrow leaves form small clumps and turn gold in autumn. Very drought tolerant. Full Sun |
Panicum virgatum – Switch Grass
The Panicum virgatum or commonly known as Switch Grass is a clump-forming, columnar, warm season grass that grows 3 ft. tall with flower heads rising 3 ft. above the foliage. Medium green leaves turn yellow, sometimes with orange tints, in autumn, fading to tan in winter. Foliage is topped in mid-summer by finely-textured, pink-tinged, branched flower heads. Flower heads turn beige in fall with the seed plumes persisting well into winter. Birds feed on the seed and plants provide cover for wildlife. Sometimes spreads by rhizomes and seed. Full Sun |
Grow Native Perennials for Full Sun to Part Shade |
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Amsonia illustris - Shining Blue Star
Rounded spikes of starry, sky blue flowers emerge in spring and last for several weeks. Deep green willowlike leaves turn bright gold in the fall. The plant takes on a substantial rounded form in the garden. Swallowtail butterflies love the nectar. Full Sun to Part Shade |
Aquilegia canadensis- Columbine
Lots of red and yellow nodding flowers for many weeks in spring. A great source of early nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. Found naturally on rocky ledges and wooded rocky slopes. Part Shade |
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Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly Milkweed
Lots of bright orange, flat-topped flower clusters open in early June. Plants bloom for many weeks. Host plant for the monarch butterfly and a great nectar source for many other butterflies and pollinators. Full Sun |
Aster Novae-angliae – New England Aster
This tall aster produces hundreds of large purple or pinkish flowers with yellow centers in Sept. and Oct. The flowers are a favorite nectar source for migrating monarch butterflies. Full Sun |
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Baptisia australis – Blue False Indigo
*2010 Perennial Plant of the Year
Clusters of indigo-blue, pealike flowers followed by interesting blue-black pods. Foliage is blue-green and growth habit is shrublike. Full Sun |
Callirhoe involucrata - Purple Poppy Mallow
Showy, cup-shaped red-violet flowers bloom from June through frost. The trailing stems will hang over walls and make an excellent ground cover. This pretty ground cover is a Plants of Merit winner. Full Sun |
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Chelone Obliqua – Rose Turtlehead
Dense spikes of rose-pink flowers are a welcome sight in late summer and early fall. Deep green foliage is handsome all season long. Provides fall color in the perennial border, native garden and around ponds and streams. Full Sun |
Coreopsis lanceolata - Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Showy, deep yellow flowers on tall stems in May and June. Plants outgrow weeds and hold the soil. Full Sun |
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Echinacea pallida - Pale Purple Coneflower
Tall bare stems are topped lavender pink flowers with cone-shaped brown seed heads June-July. Good fresh cut flower or dried flower. Songbirds eat the seed if old flower heads are not removed. Full Sun
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Echinacea paradoxa - Yellow Coneflower
Each flower stem produces a single bloom with yellow ray petals around a brown cone-shaped seed head. Very drought tolerant. Full Sun |
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Echinacea purpurea – Purple Coneflower
The Echinacea has rosy purple flowers with non-drooping petals around a brown cone-shaped seed head. This native plant is very easy to grow. Full Sun |
Eupatorium purpureum – Joe Pye Weed
Large round heads of vanilla-scented, rosy pink flowers bloom in late summer. Butterflies flock to the flowers. Whorled leaves scale tall sturdy stems making the plant attractive in the landscape even when it is not blooming. Full Sun |
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Heliopsis helianthoides - Ox-eye Sunflower
Golden yellow daisylike flowers bloom for many weeks in summer. The flowers attract butterflies. Song birds enjoy the seed. Good cut flower. Full Sun |
Helianthus salicifolius - Willow-leaved Sunflower
Clusters of 2 in. wide, medium yellow sunflowers with dark brown centers bloom on whitish green stems. The narrow, drooping, willowlike pale green leaves are very distinctive. Blooms in late summer or early fall but the gracefull foliage provides interest all through the growing season. Spreads over time to form dense colonies. Good cut flower. Full Sun |
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Iris Brevicaulis – Zig-zag Iris
A dwarf Iris that is native to wet areas and along streambanks, but will grow well in regular garden soil. The common name comes from the flowering stems that often do not hold the flowers above the foliage (only 5" or so high). The "zig-zags"are often at 45 degree angles with the flowers. Flowers appear in June and are deep bluish-purple with yellow and white crested falls(the petals that hang downward). A great cut flower. Great to use for stream and pond edges. Nice foliage as well. Full Sun to Part Shade |
Iris Fulva – Copper Iris
Beardless, crestless deep copper flowers bloom in late spring. Bright green, sword-shaped leaves remain attractive all thorugh the growing season. Flowers attract hummingbirds. Provides early spring bloom in the perennial border or native garden. Excellent for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Very happy near ponds or streams. Full Sun to Part Shade |
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Iris Virginica var. shrevei – Southern Blue Flag
This moisture-loving iris has fragrant, blue violet flowers with falls crested in yellow and white. Narrow, bright green leaves often lie on the ground or in water. Excellent in swales and swampy ground. Perfect along the edge of ponds. Full Sun |
Liatris pycnostachya - Prairie Blazing Star
Unbranched stalks bear dense spikes of magenta flowers in July and August on strong stems. The nectar-rich flowers are a favorite with butterflies and hummingbirds. Songbirds love the seed. Full Sun |
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Lobelia cardinalis – Cardinal Flower
Strong, upright stems bear dozens of brilliant red flowers in late summer. A favorite source of nectar for hummingbirds. This striking plant is a Plant of Merit winner. Part Shade to Full Sun |
Lobelia siphilitica - Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica has stout spikes of two-lipped blue flowers that bloom in September and October. May self-seed in optimum growing conditions, forming attractive colonies. Part Shade to Full Sun |
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Monarda Fistulosa – Wild Bergamot
Whorls of lavender flowers are excellent nectar sources for hummingbirds and butterflies. The gray-green foliage is aromatic. Long summer bloom period. Provides color and contrast for the border, herb garden, wild garden, native plant garden, meadow or naturalized area. Deadhead flowers to prolong summer bloom. Full Sun |
Oenothera macrocarpa – Missouri Primrose
A showy, trailing plant with large, yellow, fragrant flowers up to 4" across. Plants bloom for a long period from spring through summer. Full Sun |
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Penstemon Digitalis – Foxglove Beard Tongue
A profusion of tubular white flowers on strong stems in May and June provide nectar for hummingbirds. This handsome plant has attractive seed heads and foliage that turns reddish in fall. Mass in perennial borders, cut flower gardens, wild gardens, native plant gardens, naturalized areas, prairies or meadows. Full Sun |
Phlox paniculata –Garden Phlox
Large heads of fragrant magenta flowers can grow 8 in. across. They are very showy in the landscape when grown in moist soil. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and are good cut flowers. Full Sun |
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Phlox pilosa ssp. Ozarkana - Downy Phlox
Loose clusters of fragrant, long blooming pink to purple flowers that flower in late spring. Good source of nectar for butterflies. Spread slowly by undergournd stems to form large colonies. This species has escellent resistance to powdery mildew. Full Sun |
Pontederia Cordata – Pickerel Plant
The blue-violet flower spikes of this hardy water plant stand out vividly at the edge of a pond or in a small pool. Plants bloom from June through October. Large stands are very showy. Glossy green lance-shaped leaves grow vertically out of the water. Grow in full sun or shade in shallow water. |
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Rudbeckia fulgida – Orange Coneflower
The Rudbeckia has yellow petals that surround a brown-purple central seed head. Plants bloom from July-September and make great cut flowers. Plants form large clumps after several years, especially in rich loose soil, but are not invasive. Part to Full Sun |
Rudbeckia missouriensis - Missouri Black-eyed Susan
Daisylike flowers with yellow petals and black center disks on branched stems. The narrow green leaves are conspicuously hairy. Blooms for many weeks in July and August and is a good cut flower. Full Sun |
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Salvia Azurea – Blue Sage
These tall plants bloom in late summer with slender spikes of azure-blue flowers. The whorled blooms are densely packed at the end of each flowering stem. Narrow, lance-shaped, gray-green, basal foliage with smaller stem leaves. Grow in the perennial border, native garden or butterfly garden. Pinch plants back twice during the growing season to keep them shorter and bushier. Full Sun |
Saururus Cernuus – Lizard's Tail
Heart-shaped leaves on vertical stems give rise to creamy white flower spikes with drooping tips. The flower spikes are 6 to 8 in. long. When the flowers go to seed the curving spike is covered with grayish nutlets that look similar to a lizard's tail. All parts of the plant smell like citrus. Plant in shallow water around the edge of ponds. The thick mat of roots help stabilize pond banks. Grow in shallow water. Full to Medium Sun |
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Sedum Ternatum – Common name: Sedum
Pure white, starlike flowers smother this little sedum for a few weeks every spring. The small green fleshy laves are arranged in whorls of three around the stem. The foliage is often evergreen. Makes a nice little ground cover at the foot of shrubs or taller natives. Full Sun or Part Shade |
Thalia Dealbata – Water Canna
Huge cannalike leaves can grow larger than any other native North American plant except palms. Purple flowers are borne on long wandlike stalks late in summer. The entire plant is dusted with a fine white powder. Use in water gardens and ponds. Grow in shallow water. Plants are winter hardy to Zone 6 if fully submerged, and must be protected from freezing in colder areas. Full Sun |
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Tradescantia Ohiensis – Ohio Spiderwort
Clusters of blue, one-inch flowers from late May to early July. Can self-seed and become somewhat invasive in ideal growing conditions. Dark, blue-green, arching, grasslike leaves grow in clumps. A long-blooming perennial for the back of the border, naturalized area, meadow or lighlty shaded woodland garden. Bloom may be less profuse in shade. Prefers moist, acidic, sandy soil. Cut back to 6-12" in mid-summer to encourage fresh growth and repeat bloom. Medium Sun/Average Shade |
Veronicastrum Virginicum – Culver's Root
Very distinguished, 6 in. long candlelike spikes of pinkish white flowers bloom on upright plants. Flowers bloom for four to six weeks in late summer. Good cut flower. Use in perennial gardens, native plant gardens and moist meadows. Full Sun to Part Shade |
Grow Native Perennials for Shade |
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Aruncus Dioicus – Goat's Beard
Large wands of frothy, creamy white flowers in June. Tiny brown seed capsules dry and stay on females plants after flowering is finished. Foliage is similar to astilbe but growth habit is shrub like. Medium Sun/Average Shade
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Asarum Canadense – Wild Canadian Ginger
A deciduous ground cover with soft green, kidney-shaped leaves and inconspicuous green-brown flowers in the spring. Forms large colonies in cool moist woodland areas. Excellent ground cover in partial to full shade and beneath trees where other plants won't grow. Too aggressive for a mixed shade border. Part to Full Shade |
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Athyrium Filix-femina – Lady Fern
Bright green, lacy fronds arise gracefully from creeping rhizomes. The newly emerging fronds are beautiful in the spring. Clumps are dense and upright. Vigorous and easy to grow. Use in the shade garden or naturalize in a woodland. Can be used as a ground cover. Medium Shade to Shade |
Mertensia virginica - Virginia Bluebells
Pink flower buds open to sky blue in March and April. Foliage is blue-green. This plant is a spring ephemeral, meaning the foliage goes dormant in summer. Great for naturalizing in a rich, moist woodland environment. |
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Polygonatum Biflorum – Solomon's Seal
Small greenish white flowers hang down from arching stems in May. The flowers give way to blue berries later in summer and the foliage turns gold in fall. Plants spread slowly by creeping rhizomes and form handsome stands. Use to stabilize shaded slopes or naturalize in a woodland garden. Medium Sun/Average Shade to Shade |
Polystichum acrostichoides - Christmas Fern
This beautiful native fern has glossy, deep-green, lance-shaped fronds that emerge upright, then proceed to arch gently and eventually 'lay down' to cover the ground as they mature. This evergreen fern has 'hairy' brown leaf stems and fiddleheads at its crown and is one of the first to emerge in spring. Shade |
Stylophorum diphyllum – Celandine Poppy
The Celandine Poppy is a wonderful early spring bloomer for the shade garden. Showy yellow flowers are
held above lobed, blue-green leaves. Part Shade to Full Shade
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For Grow Native Trees & Shrubs
(please visit our Tree and Shrub page for more information and photographs)
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Asminia triloba - Pawpaw
Ceaothus americanus - New Jersey Tea
Cercis Canadensis - Eastern Redbud
Chionanthus virginicus - Fringe Tree
Cornus alternifolia - Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus florida - Flowering Dogwood
Ilex opaca - American Holly
Itea virginica - Virginia Sweetspire
Liriodendron tulipifera - Tulip Poplar
Nyssa Salvatica - Black Gum
Rhus aromatica - Fragrant Sumac
Taxodium distichum - Bald Cypress
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The following list of trees and shrubs originate from a Grow Native Missouri plant.
They have been improved to grow in a more desirable way.
Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset ‘- Red Sunset Maple
Amelanchier X ‘grandiflora’ -Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry
Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ - Heritage Riverbirch
Cornus florida ‘Cloud 9’, ‘Cherokee Brave’, & ‘Cherokee Sunset’-Flowering Dogwoods
Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’ - Winter King Hawthorn
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ - Annabelle Hydrangea
Ilex opaca ‘Greenleaf’ - Greenleaf American Holly
Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’ - Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Summerwine’- Summerwine Ninebark
Sambucus canadensis ‘Sunderland’s Gold’ & ‘Black Beauty’- Sunderland’s Gold & Black Beauty Elderberry |
Click on the Grow Native logo below for more information on the Grow Native program.
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