- Missouri native wildflowers<\/a><\/li>
- Missouri native shrubs<\/a><\/li>
- Missouri native trees<\/a><\/li>
- Missouri native ground covers<\/a><\/li>
- Missouri native vines<\/a><\/li>
- Missouri native grasses<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ about Missouri native plants<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Missouri native wildflowers<\/span><\/h2>
Missouri primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Missouri](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1024px-Oenothera_macrocarpa_kz06.jpg\")
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The Missouri primrose, also known as the glade lily, blooms only at night for night pollination and dies the next day. Despite its short-lived flowers, the beauty it brings to your landscape is totally worth it. As its name suggests, this plant is more commonly found in Missouri’s glades, but it can be cultivated throughout the entire state.<\/p>
- USDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 3-7 (Check out our guide Planting Zones of Missouri<\/a> for more information).<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Prefers dry to medium, well-drained soils<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> Citrus<\/li>
- Bloom time:<\/strong> May to August<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Low to moderate<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>6 inches to 1 foot<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>None known
Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/li> <\/ul>Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"red](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_449781621_e0363d0a0e_c.jpg\")
Art Poskanzer<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Columbine features red and yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds to your garden. This plant prefers average to moist soil and can thrive in both full sun and shade under ideal conditions. Naturally found in the Ozarks and moist woodlands, columbine can also be grown in homes statewide, supporting local wildlife while adding a touch of color to the landscape.<\/p>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 3-8<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun or partial shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Clay, silt, or sandy soil that\u2019s well-drained, moist, dry-ish<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> N\/A<\/li>
- Bloom Time:<\/strong> April to May<\/li>
- Water Needs:<\/strong> Weekly or whenever the soil is completely dry<\/li>
- Mature Height:<\/strong> 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide<\/li>
- Potential Hazards:<\/strong> Moderately flammable\/risk of fire<\/li>
- Maintenance Needs:<\/strong> Low. Faded flowers need to be removed to promote additional bloom.<\/li> <\/ul>
Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"purple](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1024px-Purple_Prairie_Clover.jpg\")
Blaine Hansel<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The purple prairie clover is a wildflower known for its thimble-shaped, rose-purple flowers. It has a deep taproot that not only helps it survive in various conditions but also adds fertility to the soil. This plant is found all over Missouri, except in the lowland counties.<\/p>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3-8<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Dry to mesic soil<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>No noticeable scent<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>May to September<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> N\/A<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/li> <\/ul>
Tip:<\/strong> Check out more native wildflowers in our guide: Missouri Wildflowers for Your Garden<\/a>.<\/p>
Missouri native shrubs<\/span><\/h2>
Rusty black haw (Viburnum rufidulum<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/1024px-Viburnum_rufidulum_kz3.jpg\")
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The rusty black haw is a versatile shrub or small tree with glossy, leathery green leaves that provide year-round beauty. It blooms with clusters of small white flowers and colorful berries, adding visual interest and attracting pollinators. While it grows well in full sun, in the St. Louis area, it thrives with some light afternoon shade.<\/p>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>5-9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun or partial shade<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Dry to medium, well-drained soils<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>Sweet<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>March to April<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>10 to 20 feet<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> Berries can be mildly toxic when not fully ripe.<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Low. Prune immediately after flowering.<\/li> <\/ul>
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"green](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_29472046811_20dbd7acd0_c.jpg\")
Melissa McMasters<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Spicebush is a fragrant shrub named for its spicy, fragrant, and edible parts. It blooms with small yellow flowers that attract pollinators and produces berries that draw in birds. While more commonly found in southeastern Missouri, this versatile shrub can be grown throughout the entire state.<\/p>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>4-9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun, shade<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Slightly acidic, medium, well-drained soils<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>Spicy<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>March to May<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>6 to 12 feet<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> None known. This plant is edible.<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/li> <\/ul>
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"picture](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/buttonbush.jpg\")
PublicDomainPictures.net<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Buttonbush gets its name from its unique flower heads that resemble pincushions and mature into button-like forms. Attractive to both pollinators and humans, this bush can add personality to any landscape. While common throughout Missouri, it thrives in wet soils, so be sure to plant it in areas with plenty of water.<\/p>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>5-11<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Moist, humus-rich, neutral to acid soils<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>Sweet<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>June to September<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>5 to 12 feet<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> This plant is poisonous and can induce convulsions, vomiting, and paralysis if eaten.<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Low. Pruning may be done in spring.<\/li> <\/ul>
Missouri native trees<\/span><\/h2>
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Bald](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/3414118729_b7eb06f77e_c.jpg\")
Ryan Somma<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure> The bald cypress is a native tree known for its striking beauty, especially in fall when its lacy needles turn a vibrant red. Even in winter, its silhouette adds interest to the landscape. Commonly found in Missouri’s Bootheel due to its preference for swampy, wet areas, the bald cypress can also be planted throughout the entire state.<\/p>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>5-11<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun <\/strong><\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Prefers moist, acidic, and sandy soils, but tolerates a lot of conditions<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>Earthy<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>March to April<\/li>
- Water: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>Up to 130 feet<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> This plant can cause respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/li> <\/ul>
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_50337594771_e4c574f009_c.jpg\")
Peter Stenzel<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The flowering dogwood, Missouri’s official state tree, blooms with white or pink flowers in spring, followed by red fruit in summer and red leaves in the fall. Beyond that, it can also improve soil quality as its leaf litter decomposes quickly. This tree can be found in the Ozarks and north of the Missouri River.<\/p>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>5-9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Fertile, evenly moist, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>Floral<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>April to May<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Mature height: <\/strong>15 to 30 feet<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> The fruit is poisonous.<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Low. Remove damaged shoots.<\/li> <\/ul>
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"small](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_cercis_canadensis_-_eastern_redbud_2.jpg\")
Fritzflohrreynolds<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The eastern redbud is a relatively small tree, perfect for adding a touch of color to smaller landscapes. It produces many small rosy pink flowers that are edible and can be enjoyed in salads, either raw or pickled. It is found throughout Missouri, especially in open woodland, borders of woods, and along rocky streams.<\/p>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>4-9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Moist and well-draining soils<\/li>
- Fragrance: <\/strong>None<\/li>
- Bloom time: <\/strong>March to May<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun <\/strong><\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial sun, shade<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun or partial shade<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun or partial shade<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Missouri native shrubs<\/a><\/li>