Plant of Merit
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Plant Type
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Type
Genus
Common Name
Light Requirement
Flower Color
Bloom Time
Height
Resistance
Asclepias incarnata – Swamp Milkweed
Missouri and Illinois native with clouds of pink blossoms.
Baptisia sphaerocarpa – Yellow Wild Indigo
Spectacular Missouri wildflower.
Monarda bradburiana – Bee Balm
Important Missouri native pollinator plant.
Acer griseum – Paperbark Maple
Showy red leaves create a pretty understory or focal point tree.
Amelanchier – Autumn Brilliance Apple Serviceberry
Award-winning small tree with multi-season interest.
Aronia – Autumn Magic Chokeberry
Multi seasonal nativar perfect for most locations.
Astilbe – Look At Me False Spirea
Huge pink plumes with dramatic red stems.
Astilbe – Pumila False Spirea
Makes a fantastic ground cover for shade.
Calycanthus floridus – Carolina Allspice
Award winning Missouri native shrub with highly scented flowers.
Carpinus betula Fastigiata, European Hornbeam
Award winning regal tree.
Carpinus caroliniana – American Hornbeam
Award-winning native tree for understory plantings.
Carya illinonensis, Pecan Tree
Large Missouri and Illinois native tree that produces delicious edible nuts.
Chionanthus virginicus – Fringe Tree
Missouri native tree with elaborate blooms.
Clethra Ruby Spice – Summersweet
Award-winning fragrant pink flowers.
Cotinus obovatus – Smoke Tree
Showy foliage and airy flowers on a small tree.
Frangula (Rhamnus) caroliniana – Carolina Buckthorn
Showy foliage and airy flowers on small Mo native tree.
Gymnocladus dioicus – Kentucky Coffee Tree
Award-winning tree to create shade.
Halesia carolina – Carolina Silverbells
Hard to find tree with showy white bells
Hamamelis vernalis – Ozark Witch Hazel
Award winning native shrub.
Hibiscus – Holy Grail Rose Mallow
Only a gift from heaven could be named Holy Grail.
Hydrangea – Bobo Panicle Hydrangea
Award-winning tiny shrub with huge white flowers.
Hydrangea – Incrediball Smooth Hydrangea
Huge flowers the size of basketballs on sturdy stems.
Hydrangea – Limelight Panicle Hydrangea
Huge fluffy flowers reliably bloom in abundance every year. Comes in shrub or tree form.
Hydrangea arborescens – Smooth Hydrangea
2024 Native Plant Of The Year
Itea – Henry’s Garnet Sweetspire
Beautiful scented flowers on a rugged, adaptable shrub.
Juniperus – Taylor Juniper
Award winning nativar shrub. Perfect for focal points and living walls.
Lindera benzoin – Spicebush
Illinois and Missouri native host plant to Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly.
Magnolia Butterflies
Lemon-yellow blossoms on an award-winning tree.
Nyssa sylvatica – Black Gum
Missouri native tree with brilliant fall color.
Physocarpus opulifolius, Ninebark
Showy native shrub. Perfect for borders, erosion control and pollinator gardens.
Quercus – Regal Prince Narrow Oak
Award-winning Narrow Oak Tree.
Quercus lyrata – Overcup Oak
Award-winning Missouri native tree.
Rhus Gro Low Fragrant Sumac
Rugged ground cover shrub with beautiful leaves. Perfect for fixing erosion issues.
Spirea Gold Thread
Gold ferny leaves add great color and texture.
Viburnum – Blue Muffin Arrowwood Viburnum
Award winner. Showy blue berries follow large white flowers.
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FILTER THE ITEMS ON THIS PAGE BY:
Plant Type
Genus
Common Name
Light Requirements
Bloom Color
Bloom Time
Height
Uses
Resistances
Type
Genus
Common Name
Light Requirement
Flower Color
Bloom Time
Height
Resistance
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