Missouri is an extraordinary biological melting pot in the heart of the Midwest, where five natural biomes meet and meld together. Eastern temperate deciduous forests, northern boreal forests, western prairies, southwestern glades, and southern wetlands coalesce to form an ecotonal area unlike any other. The overlap of these distinct ecospheres creates a complex biotic community– truly one-of-a-kind– with an incredible diversity of species and habitats.
Growing Missouri native plants in your yard helps preserve and restore these exceptional natural communities and the multitude of species within them. The flora and fauna of our region have co-evolved over millennia– introduced plants are woefully unfit when it comes to providing valuable ecosystem services. For example, a native oak hosts over 550 species of caterpillar (insects, and caterpillars specifically, are the single most important food source for many animals) whereas a non-native ginkgo supports only 5. To put that in perspective, one brood of chickadees requires 6,000 – 9,000 caterpillars from the time the eggs hatch until the baby birds can fledge, which takes on average just 16 days! Life depends on native plants.
1) Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Downy serviceberry or Juneberry is a popular choice for home landscapes and a Missouri Botanical Garden Plant of Merit. Common throughout much of the eastern United States, serviceberries can be found all over Missouri in open, rocky woodlands and forest edges. Wild trees have been known to top out at about 40 ft, but cultivated trees rarely grow taller than 15 – 20 ft, with a similar spread. Serviceberries prefer moist, well-drained areas but are easy to grow and tolerant of most soils, including clay. They do best in full sun to partial shade.
An early spring bloomer, downy serviceberry is favored for its showy white flowers, which are one of the first floral resources available to native bees after the thaw– one theory holds that this tree got its name from the tradition of putting off burial services until the ground was soft enough for digging graves. Juneberries are eaten by at least 35 species of birds in Missouri and are especially attractive to cedar waxwings, bluebirds, catbirds, grosbeaks, and orioles. If there are any left, the deep purple-black berries are also edible to humans and suitable for jams, jellies, and pies. Leaves are gold to scarlet in the fall– a popular cultivar, ‘Autumn Brilliance’ (Amelanchier x grandiflora) is known for its red-orange foliage. Downy serviceberry is an excellent replacement for the noxious invasive Callery pear.
2) Rusty black haw (Viburnum rufidulum)
Rusty black haw or rusty nannyberry is a large deciduous shrub that can be pruned as a small understory tree (prune soon after flowering, since new buds form in summer); it also makes a fine hedgerow or privacy screen. It grows up to 18 ft tall and spreads 6 – 12 ft. It adapts well to a variety of soils, including dry, rocky sites, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Its dark, glossy green leaves are thick and leathery, and turn purple to bright red in fall. It is a host for the beautiful Baltimore checkerspot butterfly and a dozen or more other species of Lepidoptera.
Dainty white clusters of flowers 2 – 6 inches wide appear April – May and are attractive to native bees and other pollinators– they may persist through June. Bluish-black fruits form in September and are eaten by a variety of birds and other animals, including cedar waxwings, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, and northern cardinals. Beavers are fond of the leaves and stems. In addition to its high wildlife value, this species is an excellent choice for cultivation, both for its ornamental qualities and its edible fruit. Nannyberries taste like raisins and may be eaten raw or cooked into jellies and preserves. Two genetically diverse plants are required for cross-pollination and fruit set. Rusty black haw may intergrade or hybridize with Viburnum prunifolium (black haw), another Missouri native.
3) Ward’s willow (Salix caroliniana)
Ward’s willow, coastal plain willow, or Carolina willow is one of Missouri’s most widespread native willows, often found along rocky streams and gravel bars. This small, shrubby tree has an open crown and spreading branches; it may grow to 30 ft tall. Narrow, lanceolate leaves are bright green above and pale silvery-green below. The bark is reddish-brown and has a long history of use in medicine and ethnobotany.
Male and female plants have separate catkins, both slender, narrow, and yellow-green. Flowers bloom April – May and are of special value to native bees. Beekeepers also appreciate them, as honeybees convert the nectar into high-grade honey. A useful plant for erosion control and wicker-work and furniture making in the Ozarks. Requires moist soil and partial shade. Consider also the Missouri River willow (Salix eriocephala) or the sandbar willow (Salix interior).
4) Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana)
Mexican or wild plum is a Missouri native, single-trunked, upright tree that grows 15 – 25 ft tall and adapts well to a variety of soils (including dry, moist, and clay). It grows in sun or partial shade. P. mexicana is typically recommended over Missouri’s other wild plum, P. americana, for its tastier fruit and tendency not to sucker.
The Mexican plum is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree– it has showy, fragrant white flowers April – May, and smooth, reddish bark that matures into a rougher texture and an attractive blue-gray hue. Fall foliage is usually yellow, but sometimes orange or red. Fruits are round and may reach 1.5 inches wide, ripening from pale yellow in July to rose and then purple in September. Plums are eaten by many birds and mammals and are tasty fresh or cooked into jellies and preserves. Mexican plum is an excellent choice for a butterfly garden; it is the larval host for the tiger swallowtail as well as the stunning giant cecropia moth.
5) Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
The pawpaw is a hidden gem of Missouri, with sweet and fragrant fruit prized by hunters (they can be hard to find, as they are also beloved by wildlife that often beat humans to harvest). Asimina is the only temperate genus in a family of tropical and subtropical trees, a remnant from Missouri’s past– it is thought that long-extinct megafauna were responsible for seed dispersal and that their absence might explain its reduced distribution in Missouri today.
Pawpaws grow 15 – 30 ft in sun to part shade, and prefer moist soil; they make an excellent choice for rain gardens. It produces pungent, deep magenta ‘carrion flowers’ that are pollinated by flies, beetles, and other scavengers. It is a host plant for the zebra swallowtail. For a successful fruit set, several genetically diverse plants are recommended for cross-pollination (trees often grow in groves in the wild). Seedling trees may take up to 10 years to produce, but grafted varieties are sometimes available at nurseries and may take only 2 – 3 years. Its fruit has been described as the ‘Missouri banana’ and is juicy and custardy– it can be used in ice creams or pies. Chilled pawpaw was said to be George Washington’s favorite dessert.
6) American smoke tree (Cotinus obovatus)
The American smoke tree is an increasingly popular landscaping tree in Missouri– it has one of the most spectacular fall color compositions of any tree in the state, and silken clusters of flower stalks that form smoky ‘puffs’ beginning in late spring and persisting (turning a lovely rose-purple) through the end of July. This tree grows to 16 – 33 ft, and prefers average to moist well-drained soil (especially infertile loams) in full sun– in Missouri it is found primarily on rocky dolomite bluffs and glades along the White River. It is tolerant of clay and drought once established.
You can group the plant together in a hedge border, or use it as a specimen tree– fall leaves are an arresting mix of gold, amber, red, and burgundy. Wood from the American smoke tree makes a vivid yellow dye, and populations suffered heavy declines during the Civil War due to overuse. Finches are fond of the fruits, and a tiny, rare species of moth– the ‘smoke tree eater’ (found only in three counties in Missouri and Arkansas) uses it as a host plant.
7) Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
Another Plant of Merit award winner, the fringe tree is admired both for its ornamental qualities and its adaptability. Fringe trees are easy to grow in average, medium well-drained soils (though they prefer moist, fertile loams) in full sun to partial shade– they are tolerant of clay and high levels of air pollution, making them an excellent choice for urban environments. Fringe trees rarely need pruning. They are not juglone-sensitive and may be grown together with black walnut trees. They usually grow between 12 – 20 ft, but have been known to reach 33 ft in ideal conditions.
Fragrant flowers appear in May or June and are airy, frothy sprays of creamy white with purplish spots near the base. Male plants are often showier than females– some trees will have ‘perfect flowers’ with both male and female parts. Blueish, olive-like fruits form August – October and are a valuable food source for birds and other animals. Its fall color is yellow-gold. Thrashers, mockingbirds, and pileated woodpeckers are especially fond of fringe tree fruits.
8) Ozark witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis)
Ozark or vernal witch hazel is a large shrub or small tree (especially in cultivation), and one of our only winter-blooming plants. Flowers appear in January or February and may last until April– blossoms are eye-catching clusters of yellow-orange and red ribbon-like petals, which are especially striking against snow. Ozark witch hazel grows to about 10 ft and is easily grown in average, well-drained soil with medium moisture (perfect for rain or woodland gardens, privacy screens, hedge borders, and specimen plantings). They will tolerate some shade but do best in full sun.
Suckers should be removed to prevent colonial spread, and pruning is best left until spring after the tree is done flowering. Extract from the bark is often used to treat skin irritations and other ailments. Switches from this plant have long been used ritually in the Ozarks by ‘water witches’ and ‘witch wigglers’ to find the best locations for digging wells.
9) Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
The flowering dogwood is Missouri’s state tree, beloved for its boughs of beautiful white flower bracts in spring. This tree also has a stunning fall color, often red but sometimes orange or purple. Its scarlet drupes are eaten by a variety of birds. Flowering dogwoods have a broad, pyramidal crown and reach 15 – 30 ft tall. They are easy to grow in average, medium well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, but the morning sun is best (trees may become brittle with too much exposure). If planted in full sun, flowering dogwoods will benefit from mulch in hot Missouri summers to keep the roots cool and moist.
Flowering dogwood is a host plant to the spring azure butterfly and many other species of Lepidoptera. This plant has a long history of use in medicines, inks, and dyes, and its slender branches were often used to make skewers or ‘dags.’ Many cultivars are available, notably the rose-flowering “Cherokee Chief,” and the profusely blooming “Cherokee Princess.” Some ambitious gardeners have been known to graft the different cultivars together into a single tree that blooms several colors. A beautiful tree for lawns, patios, and areas close to the home. Plant in groups or as a specimen tree. Consider also the distinctive pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) and the resilient roughleaf dogwood (Cornus drummondii).
10) Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
The eastern redbud is an iconic native species and a favorite for home landscapes. Often multi-trunked, this understory tree blooms profusely on its bare branches with deep rose-purple flowers in spring. Frequently found brightening open woodlands and streamsides along with flowering dogwoods in Missouri. It grows 20 – 30 ft tall in average, well-drained soil with medium moisture. It may grow in full sun but prefers partial shade. Eastern redbud is tolerant of clay soil and will grow together with black walnut trees.
Young trees may be slightly weedy-looking, but redbuds become more difficult to transplant as they mature. Flowers are edible raw (lovely in salads) or pickled and may be made into jams or jellies. Leaves are large and heart-shaped, and turn golden-yellow in fall. Pea-like fruit pods are prolific September – October, and are eaten by a variety of birds. Plant as a specimen tree, in borders and hedgerows, along patios, and in lawns. Pairs beautifully with flowering dogwood. Many cultivars are available, notably ‘Royal White,’ known for its large snowy blooms.
11) Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia)
The red buckeye is, in Missouri, conspicuously associated with the ruby-throated hummingbird; hummingbirds are drawn to its tubular, bright red panicles of flowers, and the tree’s bloom period coincides with their return in early spring. Red buckeye leaves are glossy dark green and palmately compound– they are attractive in spring and summer but often lose their luster toward the end of August. Fruits are leathery brown and egg-shaped.
A popular ornamental specimen, it is useful in hedgerows. Red buckeyes prefer moist, fertile soils, and may grow in full sun or partial shade (though, as with many native understory trees, partial shade is best). Compounds in its roots have been used to make soap for washing clothes. Its seeds and young foliage are poisonous. Red buckeye can grow to 20 ft tall.
12) Green hawthorn (Crataegus viridis)
The green hawthorn is Missouri’s finest hawthorn for landscaping use and boasts the state flower. Resistance to disease and pollution make this species an excellent choice for urban environments, while its beautiful scarlet and purple fall foliage and persistent red fruits give it high value as an ornamental. Green hawthorns grow 20 – 35 ft and adapt well to a variety of soils. They prefer full sun but tolerate some shade. They are also drought-, flood-, and clay-tolerant.
White, fragrant flowers similar to apple blossoms appear in May, and small red pomes (sometimes called ‘haws’) ripen in September. These fruits are edible, but unpalatable to humans (they may be made into jams or teas for medicinal purposes)– birds on the other hand delight in them. Unlike other hawthorns, this tree has very few spines. It is a handsome specimen or street tree. The popular cultivar ‘Winter King’ is remarkable for its silvery bark, ample blooms, and striking fall color.
13) American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
American hornbeam or musclewood is an understated, handsome tree that is low-maintenance and ideal for shady lawns and gardens. Musclewood grows from 20 – 35 ft and prefers moist, rich soils (but will adapt to more average soils as well). The crown is an attractive globular shape with nice yellow, red, and orange fall color. Named for its smooth, sinewy, blue-gray bark– the tight ridges resemble muscles. Flowers in April – May with male and female catkins on the same branches.
The wood of the American hornbeam is remarkably hard; it has been used to make bowls, tool handles, ox yokes, (and more recently) golf clubs, levels, and wedges. These items take a horn-like shine when polished, hence the hornbeam moniker. Sometimes confused with its cousin (another member of the birch family, Betulaceae), Eastern hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), or ‘Ironwood.’ Ironwood is also known for its exceptionally hard wood (outmatched only by flowering dogwood in Missouri) and likewise makes a smart addition to Missouri gardens– its flowers resemble beer hops. Both trees are essential for the conservation of ruffed grouse in Missouri.
14) American bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia)
The American bladdernut is an exceptional small tree for privacy screens. Fast-growing and hardy, this species prefers moist soils and full to part shade– an excellent choice for rain gardens. The plant tops out at about 15 ft. Suckers should be pruned to the ground to maintain a tree shape.
Graceful, drooping clusters of white bell-shaped flowers appear in spring and give way to interesting, papery air-filled seed sacs that may be popped in the hand in late summer. These bladder-like capsules make a captivating addition to dried flower arrangements. It is tolerant of alkaline soils, black walnuts, drought, and clay and is great for erosion control.
15) Carolina buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana)
Carolina buckthorn or ‘Indian cherry’ is an elegant choice for Missouri gardens; its glossy green leaves, attractive amber fall foliage, and shiny red fruits make it a handsome addition to lawns, hedgerows, and perennial backgrounds. Despite the name, this tree has no thorns.
While the fruits are sweet and technically edible, they are best left for the birds; the berries and bark have long been used by indigenous Americans to make vomit-inducing teas and strong laxatives. It is highly valuable to wildlife for its nectar, pollen, fruit, and foliage. Many species of birds enjoy the fruits, especially waxwings and grosbeaks. It is a host plant for Henry’s elfin butterfly, spring azure, gray hairstreak, and many more. A Plant of Merit, this species is easily grown in average, well-drained soils in a variety of light conditions and reaches 10 – 15 ft tall.
16) Eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus)
The eastern wahoo or burning bush (not to be confused with the noxious invasive winged euonymus or Euonymus alatus, a popular ornamental still found in many nurseries) is a beautiful shrub or small tree for native woodland gardens, privacy screens, and specimen plantings. It grows 12 – 20 ft in a variety of soil and light conditions– it is highly adaptable and may be planted together with black walnut, but cannot withstand poor drainage.
It has stunning scarlet foliage and berries in fall and is highly attractive to birds and pollinators. “Wahoo” is Dakota for “arrow wood,” and this species has been used to make arrows, medicines, and tobacco (though all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested). If you already have winged euonymus (a noxious weed responsible for severe environmental degradation in Missouri) on your property, the eastern wahoo is a superb replacement.
A Note on Planting Native Trees
A few simple techniques and best practices will minimize maintenance and ensure that the trees you plant in your yard can flourish. When planting, be sure to choose a spot where your new tree will be ‘happy;’ don’t forget to consider light, moisture, and soil conditions. Leaf or compost mulch is best; since it is already partially decomposed, it more readily enriches the soil and is better for our native insects. Leaf mulch readily suppresses weeds and has a rich, dark color, making it both attractive and beneficial (it looks good and feeds your plants)!
Make sure that when your tree goes into the ground, the root flare is exposed (planting too deep or covering roots can suffocate and severely injure your tree). Mulch should be kept thin around the base of the tree, and more concentrated further away from the trunk; think ‘donut,’ not ‘volcano.’ Finally, new trees should be watered deeply and slowly every couple of weeks (and more often in dry or hot weather) to encourage healthy root establishment.
