Planting native Missouri gardens benefits the environment! Because native plants are adapted to Missouri's soil and climate, you will not need to water your native plants once they are established, add fertilizer or spray them with pesticides. If you plant native flowers and trees that do not require daily watering, you will also save hundreds of gallons of water each year. Furthermore, by eliminating the need for fertilizers and pesticides, you will prevent hazardous substances from entering the environment. Native plants are also best-suited to absorb runoff from roofs before it enters storm-water drainage systems, and native plants can aid in controlling stream-bank erosion, while acting as filters before polluted waters enter Missouri streams. Last, but not least, native plants provide food and shelter for several native wildlife species. With all of these environmental benefits, why not plant native Missouri gardens?

Do you have any experience with Missouri's native plants? Do you have any gardening tips? To learn more about native Missouri gardens, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Agriculture's "Grow Native!" web site.