Missouri Natives

The Midwest Blend contains wildflower species that are native to or naturalized to the Midwest US and will brighten up any landscape. This blend is formulated for IL, IN, IA, eastern KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, eastern NE, OH, WI, southern Manitoba and Ontario.

Scarlet, orange and purple fall color, often all on the same tree, makes this one of the finest native shade trees for autumn. Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) has glossy, dark green summer leaves and a neat, pyramidal shape that matures into a spreading crown. It tolerates wet soils and urban conditions, its spring flowers are a valuable nectar source for bees, and the small blue-black fruits feed migrating birds.

Old Man's Beard is the fitting nickname for this beloved native small tree, draped in late spring with airy, fragrant clusters of fringe-like white petals. White Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) later bears dark blue, olive-like fruits on female plants that birds enjoy, and its glossy leaves turn yellow in fall. Slow-growing and tidy, it is ideal for small yards, borders and patio plantings, and it tolerates urban conditions well.

Patchwork bark that peels away to reveal creamy white limbs makes this massive, fast-growing native shade tree instantly recognizable. American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) has broad, maple-like leaves and round, dangling seed balls that hang on through winter. It loves moist ground along streams and rivers, where it helps hold banks in place, yet adapts to many landscape sites. Give it room and it becomes a stately, long-lived landmark.

Acorns from this handsome tree are a key food for wildlife, and it supports an enormous variety of native insects and birds. Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is a fast-starting native shade tree with a broad, rounded crown and glossy, pointed-lobed leaves that turn russet to bright red in fall. It is one of the most widely planted oaks for lawns, parks and streets, valued for its strong wood and tolerance of urban conditions.

Grass grows right up to the trunk beneath the light, dappled shade of this tough, fast-growing shade tree. Thornless Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis) has a graceful, open crown of tiny, fernlike leaflets that turn golden yellow in fall and practically vanish into the lawn. It handles heat, drought, wind, road salt and urban conditions with ease, making it a favorite street and lawn tree. This seed is collected from thornless parents.

Rustling softly in the wind, golden bronze leaves often hang on through winter on this majestic native shade tree. American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) has smooth, silver-gray bark and a broad, rounded crown, and its silky green leaves turn golden bronze in fall. Its small triangular beechnuts are edible and feed a wide range of wildlife. Slow but long-lived, it makes a legacy tree for large yards, parks and woodland gardens.

Peeling, cinnamon-to-salmon bark shines in every season on this fast-growing native tree. River Birch (Betula nigra) is the most heat tolerant of the birches and thrives in wet spots, along streams and in low areas where other trees struggle. Its graceful, often multi-stemmed form and buttery yellow fall color make it a standout specimen, and it is naturally resistant to bronze birch borer, which makes it an easy, rewarding choice.

Tiny magenta-pink flowers cover the bare branches before a single leaf appears, making this one of the first trees to bloom in spring. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) then unfurls glossy, heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall, on a spreading, multi-stemmed frame that suits small yards. This native beauty feeds early bees and fits beautifully in woodland edges, cottage gardens and as a patio specimen.

Windbreaks, screens and erosion control plantings rarely get a better candidate than this tough, adaptable native evergreen. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) has dense, aromatic foliage and a neat pyramidal to columnar shape, and it shrugs off cold, heat, drought, wind and poor soil. Female trees carry dusty blue berries through fall and winter that birds love, and the fragrant reddish wood has been prized for generations.

Wild quinine carries pearly white button-like flower heads above coarse gray-green foliage for much of summer. The rigid stems hold their shape beautifully in prairie gardens, pollinator borders, and dried arrangements. A deep root system helps established plants perform through heat and dry spells.

White snakeroot brings clouds of bright white flowers to shaded edges when many woodland plants have finished blooming. It adapts to clay and moist soil, forming upright clumps that supply late nectar for insects. All plant parts contain toxic compounds, so place it thoughtfully around livestock and pets.

Rosinweed is a robust prairie perennial with bright yellow daisies held on strong upright stems. Its coarse foliage and substantial form provide bold structure in sunny naturalistic plantings. Deep roots help established plants endure heat and dry periods while the seedheads feed birds.

Rice Cut Grass has a wide history across world wetlands and is native to North American floodplains and pond margins. Its sharp-edged leaves explain the common name and can form dense stands. Least Skipper larvae use the grass, adults feed in its habitat, and waterfowl eat the seed. Plant in sun or partial shade on wet, preferably silty soil.

Torrey's Rush is a North American wetland perennial with round flower clusters near the tops of slender stems. Its named species has long occupied marshes, wet prairies, and pond or river margins. Fast-spreading rhizomes help stabilize shorelines and create cover for wetland insects and small animals. Give it full sun and consistently moist soil.

Fowl Manna Grass is one of North America's most widespread wetland grasses, occurring from shaded woodland pools to open marshes. Its airy panicles and soft foliage provide cover for small animals. Geese graze the leaves, and the moth Elachista irrorata uses it as a host plant. Grow it in sun or shade on moist to wet soil.

Silky Wild Rye is a native grass of eastern North American deciduous woods, where its nodding, bristly heads rise above the understory. Like other Elymus grasses, it grows most strongly in cool spring and fall weather and may be relatively short lived. Its stems give woodland birds and insects cover, and the grain can add forage for seed eaters. Plant in partial or full shade with medium moisture.

Riverbank Wild Rye is native to the eastern United States and has long occupied streambanks and other riparian corridors. Its roots help hold soil, making it useful in modern erosion-control plantings. Songbirds and waterfowl use the stems for cover and nesting material and feed among the seeds. Give this cool-season grass partial shade and medium to wet soil.

Illinois Bundle Flower is a native legume of central North American prairies, named for the tight bundles of seed pods that follow its fuzzy summer flowers. Small bees visit the blooms, while quail, pheasants, and Prairie Chickens feed on the nutritious seeds. Rabbits and deer may browse its fern-like foliage. Plant in full sun on medium to dry soil.

Brown Fox Sedge takes its name from the fox-tail appearance of its midsummer seed heads. This abundant North American native grows across wet meadows and other moist open habitats. Fruiting clumps provide bird forage and cover for small wetland animals. It adapts to sun or partial shade and soils ranging from wet to moderately dry.

Common Tussock Sedge is a North American wetland perennial whose raised clumps have shaped sedge meadows over generations. It offers larval food to Black Dash and Mulberry Wing skippers, Eyed Brown and Appalachian Brown butterflies, and the Bog Lithacondia moth. Birds also forage within the dense wetland stands. Grow in sun to partial shade on consistently wet ground.

Awl-fruited Sedge has several long-used names, including Prickly Sedge and Fox Sedge, reflecting its pointed seed heads. It is native to North American riverbanks, floodplain forests, and marshes and establishes quickly in disturbed wetlands. Caterpillars feed on the foliage; woodcocks, ducks, and swamp sparrows eat the seeds. Plant in sun or shade with reliably moist to wet soil.

Narrow-leaved Cattail Sedge, also called Squarrose Sedge, comes from North American wet meadows, floodplains, and lakeshores. Its cattail-like spikes rise from narrow foliage during the cool-season growth cycle. Wetland insects use sedge foliage, and waterfowl feed among the seed heads. Give it sun or partial shade and moist soil that can flood seasonally.

Short's Sedge is a native of the central and eastern United States, from Kansas toward the Atlantic coast. Its commemorative common name is part of the botanical history of Carex, while dark cylindrical seed heads make this species distinctive in summer. Moist woods and sedge meadows provide its natural habitat and support the small insects and birds associated with sedge stands. Grow it from sun to shade in medium to medium-wet soil.

Lance-fruited Oval Sedge has also been called Broom Sedge, a name linked to its broom-like fruiting form. It belongs to sunny North American marshes, floodplains, and wet sandy ground. Moths and skipper caterpillars use the foliage, while waterfowl, songbirds, turtles, and small mammals eat the seeds. This clumping, cool-season perennial suits wetland gardens and restoration sites.

Broad-leaved Woolly Sedge is native to North American wet meadows and mineral-rich wetlands, where calcareous soil is common. Its broad, softly textured leaves and June seed spikes distinguish it from finer sedges. Native sedge foliage can host insects, while its seeds contribute to wetland bird forage. Plant it in sun or partial shade with consistently moist to wet, often alkaline soil.

Spreading Oval Sedge, also known as Greater Straw Sedge, belongs to North American moist fields, thickets, and open forests. This cool-season perennial flowers in early summer and tolerates sun through shade. Its seed-bearing clumps add cover and forage for small insects and seed-eating birds. Grow it in medium to medium-wet soil where a flexible woodland-edge sedge is needed.

Field Oval Sedge is a North American native of open woods, swamps, and prairies; the older name Troublesome Sedge reflects its vigorous spread. Triangular green stems carry compact, yellow-brown seed clusters. Dense growth can shelter small insects and birds in rough habitat. Use it where a strong colonizing sedge is welcome, from sun to shade and medium-moist to dry soil.

Common Lake Sedge is a historic component of North American lake margins and marshes, spreading through underground rhizomes. Its tall stands provide wetland cover, and its leaves host Broad-Winged Skipper and brown butterfly caterpillars. Waterfowl and songbirds eat its seeds, while some wetland mammals browse the roots. Reserve this vigorous sedge for large, wet restoration sites.

Porcupine Sedge is a native of North American fens, marshes, sedge meadows, and wet prairies, also known as Bottlebrush Sedge. Its bristly seed heads give the common names their character. Wetland insects use its foliage and waterfowl forage for sedge seeds among the stems. Grow it in full sun and wet soil that may flood for short periods.

Pale Sedge has long been part of North American wet meadows and limestone-rich wetlands; its other name, Limestone Meadow Sedge, describes that habitat. It grows in cool weather and carries pale spring to early-summer flower spikes above narrow leaves. Like other sedges, its growth supports small wetland insects and seed-foraging birds. Choose moist to wet, often alkaline soil in sun or shade.