Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners
Plants of Merit are plants selected by the Missouri Botanical Gardens for their outstanding qualities and dependable performance for the lower Midwest. We have found Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit to be outstanding choices, guaranteeing you success in your garden. Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit selection criteria:
- Easy to grow and maintain
- Not known to be invasive in our area
- Resistant or tolerant to diseases and insects
- Has outstanding ornamental value
- Reasonably available to purchase
IMPORTANT NOTE: All of the Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit listed here are available in the nursery, subject to availability. Some of these plants may be ordered online for pick up at the nursery.
We do not ship.
Rudbeckia maxima – Cabbage Leaf Coneflower
Majestic flowers and powder blue foliage.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Cut Flower Garden, Deer Resistant Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, New and Exciting 2022, Perennials, Pollinator Plants, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri
49
Thalictrum rochebrunianum – Meadow Rue
Top shade perennial highly recommended.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Cut Flower Garden, Deer Resistant Plants, Living Walls - Plants for Privacy and Screening, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, New and Exciting 2022, Perennials, Popular Selections, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area
70
Amelanchier Autumn Brilliance, Apple Serviceberry
Showy flowers, berries and foliage.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Deer Resistant Plants, Edibles, Fruits and Berries, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Nativars, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Small Trees for Small Spaces, Spring Flowering Trees, Trees and Shrubs
162
Aesculus parviflora, Bottlebrush Buckeye
Large showy hard to find shrub.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Living Walls - Plants for Privacy and Screening, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Rain Garden Plants, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Shrubs, Trees and Shrubs, Water Lovers - Plants for Soggy Spots
79
Aesculus pavia, Red Buckeye
Bright red flowers attract hummingbirds.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Rain Garden Plants, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Small Trees for Small Spaces, Spring Flowering Trees, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees, Trees and Shrubs
69
Amelanchier laevis, Allegheny Serviceberry
Showy multi-seasonal interest.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Deer Resistant Plants, Edibles, Fragrant Plants, Fruits and Berries, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Shrubs, Spring Flowering Trees, St Louis Native Plants, Trees, Trees and Shrubs
225
Amsonia tabermontana – Blue Star
Award winning native with starry blue flowers.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Cut Flower Garden, Deer Resistant Plants, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Perennials, Rain Garden Plants, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri
253
Asclepias incarnata – Swamp Milkweed
Missouri native with clouds of pink blossoms.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, New and Exciting, New and Exciting 2022, Perennials, Rain Garden Plants, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Water Lovers - Plants for Soggy Spots
139
Asclepias syrica – Common Milkweed
Essential host plant for Monarch caterpillars. Mo Bot Garden's Plant of Merit winner.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Perennials, Pollinator Plants, Rabbit Resistant Plants, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri
107
Asclepias tuberosa – Butterfly Milkweed
#1 best selling Missouri native perennial.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Perennials, Pollinator Plants, Rabbit Resistant Plants, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri
96
Aster oblongifolium – Aromatic Aster
Important Missouri native pollinator plant.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Cut Flower Garden, Drought Tolerant Plants, Ground Covers, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Perennials, Pollinator Buffet Program - Missouri Native Plants Supporting the Food Web, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri
111
Astilbe – Pumila False Spirea
Makes a fantastic ground cover for shade.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Cut Flower Garden, Deer Resistant Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Ground Covers, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Perennials, Pollinator Plants, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Rain Garden Plants, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area
40
Callirhoe involucrata – Purple Poppy Mallow
2019 Native of the Year.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Drought Tolerant Plants, Ground Covers, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Perennials, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri
101
Calycanthus floridus, Carolina Allspice
Award winning Missouri native shrub with highly scented flowers.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Cut Flower Garden, Deer Resistant Plants, Fragrant Plants, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Rain Garden Plants, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees and Shrubs, Water Lovers - Plants for Soggy Spots
90
Cladrastis kentukea, Yellowwood
Missouri native tree with showy flowers and foliage.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, New and Exciting, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Pollinator Plants, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Spring Flowering Trees, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees and Shrubs
78
Clethra Ruby Spice, Summersweet
Award-winning fragrant pink flowers.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Fragrant Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Pollinator Plants, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Rain Garden Plants, Trees and Shrubs, Water Lovers - Plants for Soggy Spots
21
Echinacea pallida – Pale Purple Coneflower
Missouri Botanical Gardens Plant of Merit Winner.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Cut Flower Garden, Deer Resistant Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Fragrant Plants, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Perennials, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri
29
Hamamelis vernalis – Ozark Witch Hazel
Award winning native shrub.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Cut Flower Garden, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, New and Exciting, Oldies But Goodies - Legendary Plants, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Rain Garden Plants, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Small Trees for Small Spaces, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees and Shrubs
64
Hydrangea Incrediball, Smooth Hydrangea
Huge flowers the size of basketballs on sturdy stems.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Cut Flower Garden, Living Walls - Plants for Privacy and Screening, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Nativars, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Rain Garden Plants, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Shrubs, Trees and Shrubs, Water Lovers - Plants for Soggy Spots
49
Hydrangea Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea
Showy flowers and foliage.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Cut Flower Garden, Living Walls - Plants for Privacy and Screening, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Oldies But Goodies - Legendary Plants, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Trees and Shrubs
28
Itea Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire
Beautiful scented flowers on a rugged, adaptable shrub.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Nativars, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees and Shrubs
4
Lobelia cardinalis – Cardinal Flower
Choice Missouri native perennial.
All Plants A-Z, Best Perennial Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Illinois Native Plants, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, New and Exciting, New and Exciting 2022, Oldies But Goodies - Legendary Plants, Perennials, Pollinator Plants, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Rain Garden Plants, Shade Plants for St. Louis Missouri Area, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Water Lovers - Plants for Soggy Spots
108
Magnolia Bracken’s Brown Beauty Southern Magnolia
Glossy foliaged evergreen tree with showy flowers.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Fragrant Plants, Living Walls - Plants for Privacy and Screening, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Spring Flowering Trees, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees, Trees and Shrubs
7
Physocarpus opulifolius, Ninebark
Showy native shrub. Perfect for borders, erosion control and pollinator gardens.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Drought Tolerant Plants, Illinois Native Plants, Living Walls - Plants for Privacy and Screening, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Pollinator Plants, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees and Shrubs, Water Lovers - Plants for Soggy Spots
51
Thuja – Sugar and Spice Arborvitae
A gorgeous evergreen that grows 10' tall but only 30" wide.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Conifers, Living Walls - Plants for Privacy and Screening, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, New and Exciting, New and Exciting 2022, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Small Trees for Small Spaces, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees and Shrubs
18
Viburnum Blue Muffin, Arrowwood Viburnum
Award winner. Showy blue berries follow large white flowers.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Living Walls - Plants for Privacy and Screening, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Nativars, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Rabbit Resistant Plants, Shrubs, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees and Shrubs
14
Viburnum prunifolium, Blackhaw Viburnum
Showy flowers, berries and foliage.
All Plants A-Z, Best Shrubs and Trees for St Louis Missiouri area, Butterfly Attracting Plants, Deer Resistant Plants, Drought Tolerant Plants, Living Walls - Plants for Privacy and Screening, Missouri Botanical Gardens Plants of Merit Winners, Missouri Native Plants, Missouri Native Plants for the St Louis Area, Plant Guides-There's A Plant For That, Pollinator Plants, Rabbit Resistant Plants, St Louis Native Plants, Sun Plants for St Louis Missouri, Trees and Shrubs
29
Search
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Preorder online ordering is now closed. Nursery open for in-house shopping, find thousands and thousands of beautiful plants.
Shop by Plant Type
Shop by Common Name
Shop by Genus
Shop by Botanical Name
Shop by Light Requirements
Shop by Uses
Shop by Resistance
Shop by Height
Shop by Bloom Color
IMPORTANT PLANT PREORDER INFORMATION: Preorder plants will be available for pickup mid to late April, onward. We will contact you once your items are ready to pick up.
Preorder online ordering is now closed. Shop the nursery for thousands and thousands of beautiful plants.
Keep up with all the newest and best in gardening.