- Best Flowers for Missouri<\/a>
- 1. Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya)<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Downy Phlox (Phlox pilosa)<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Best Shrubs for Missouri<\/a>
- 1. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)<\/a><\/li>
- 2. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Best Trees for Missouri<\/a>
- 1. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to Choose the Best Landscaping Plants<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Landscaping Plants<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Best Flowers for Missouri<\/h2>
1. Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Prairie-Blazing-Star.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> A real showstopper, the prairie blazing star is sure to catch the attention of anyone who visits your yard, including wildlife. This summer bloomer produces beautiful purple flowers, can grow up to 5 feet tall, and needs minimal maintenance. Prairie blazing star rarely faces problems with diseases or insect pests, too.<\/p>
If you\u2019re looking to build a pollinator garden<\/a>, this plant would be a great addition. Its feathery flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and birds.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Flower
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3-9
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun
Soil:<\/strong> Well-drained, acidic
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Bloom time:<\/strong> July through October
Water use:<\/strong> Moderate
Mature height:<\/strong> 2 to 5 feet
Potential hazards:<\/strong> None
Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>2. Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"Lanceleaf](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Lanceleaf-Coreopsis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Andr\u00e9 ALLIOT.<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Lance-leaved coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a yellow wildflower that’s pleasant to the eye and appealing to wildlife such as pollinators and birds. It grows up to 3 feet tall even in dry conditions and spreads easily. Just be careful that your tickseed doesn’t end up overtaking your yard, as this species is considered invasive in many countries.<\/p>
Coreopsis species are usually seen as non-toxic, but there are some reports of lance-leaved coreopsis being toxic to livestock<\/a>, so be cautious.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Wildflower
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>4-9
<\/strong>Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade
Soil: <\/strong>Sandy and rocky soils
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Bloom time: <\/strong>April to June
<\/strong>Water use:<\/strong> Moderate
Mature height:<\/strong> 1 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: <\/strong>Poisonous to livestock
Maintenance: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/p>3. Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/aromatic-aster-opt.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Aromatic aster blooms with purple, daisy-like flowers. Although the flowers themselves aren’t particularly fragrant, the flowerheads and foliage give off a balsam-like smell when crushed. <\/p>
This flower is easy to care for and keep healthy, and it attracts wildlife like bees and butterflies. The endangered checkerspot butterfly<\/a> even uses the aromatic aster as its host plant.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Flower
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3-8
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun
Soil:<\/strong> Tolerates a lot of soil types, but prefers well-drained ones
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Bloom time: <\/strong>July through November
<\/strong>Water use:<\/strong> Low
Mature height:<\/strong> 1 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: <\/strong>Some aster variants are reported to be toxic, so practice caution
Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>4. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"Purple](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/rsz_purple-coneflower-gc1a99a243_1280.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you want your yard to turn into a purple paradise in the summer, purple coneflower is another flower to add to it. It produces lovely, bright purple petals, and also provides food for pollinators and birds. The plant is self-seeding, although you may need to divide its clumps every few years. <\/p>
Also, note that the purple coneflower may sometimes suffer from diseases, like leaf spot, or a Japanese beetle<\/a> infestation.
Plant type:<\/strong> Flower
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3-8
<\/strong>Sun:<\/strong> Full sun or partial shade
Soil:<\/strong> Prefers well-drained, moist, loam
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Bloom time: <\/strong>May through October
Water use:<\/strong> Moderate
Mature height:<\/strong> 3 to 4 feet
Potential hazards: <\/strong>None
Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>5. Downy Phlox (Phlox pilosa<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"Downy](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Downy-Phlox.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Downy phlox, also called prairie phlox, blooms with fragrant purple flowers that attract butterflies. It blooms in the summer, but it may produce a second, sparser round of blooms in the fall. <\/p>
Moreover, the downy phlox seldom faces problems with diseases and insects, especially powdery mildew; just look out for spider mites<\/a>, which may sometimes be a problem during dry spells. <\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Flower
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>4-9
<\/strong>Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade
Soil:<\/strong> Well-drained, sandy or rocky acidic soils
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Bloom time:<\/strong> March through July
Water use:<\/strong> Moderate
Mature height:<\/strong> 1 to 2 feet
Potential hazards: <\/strong>Non-toxic
Maintenance:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>6. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Black-eyed-Susan-Rudbeckia-hirta.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixnio<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you want to add an easy-care, vibrant splash of color to your garden, consider planting black-eyed Susans. The cheerful yellow and black flowers bloom within a year and stand up well to heat, drought, and cold. <\/p>
Be careful, though. Black-eyed Susan is toxic to cats and may induce vomiting or face and mouth irritation if ingested. <\/p>
Plant type: <\/strong>Wildflower
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3-8
<\/strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade
Soil:<\/strong> Well-drained, acidic soils
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial
Bloom time:<\/strong> May through October
Water use:<\/strong> Moderate
Mature height:<\/strong> 2 to 4 feet
Potential hazards:<\/strong> Toxic to cats
Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>7. Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"bright](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Zigzag-Goldenrod.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you want to add beautiful ornamental plants to your outdoor area, the zigzag goldenrod is a great accent piece. Whether it grows in full sun or some shade, it gives your lawn a pop of yellow. Moreover, zigzag goldenrod attracts pollinators and rarely deals with diseases and insect pests.<\/p>
Although some species of goldenrod are used as a health supplement<\/a>, it’s important to consult a medical professional before taking this. Pregnant and nursing women or people with health problems shouldn’t use goldenrod supplements.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Flower
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3-8
<\/strong>Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to full shade
Soil:<\/strong> Moist, acidic
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Bloom time:<\/strong> July through September
Water use:<\/strong> Moderate
Mature height:<\/strong> 1 to 3 feet
Potential hazards:<\/strong> Goldenrod supplements may have side effects.
Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>8. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Butterfly-Milkweed-1.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Wackybadger<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The butterfly milkweed, also known as butterfly weed and orange milkweed, is listed on the Missouri Botanical Garden\u2019s Plants of Merit<\/a>, meaning that it grows outstandingly well in Missouri and surrounding regions, is not invasive, and is resistant to diseases and insects.
Butterfly milkweed establishes in 2 to 3 years and then produces beautiful, atypical orange blossoms that produce nectar for pollinators. Moreover, milkweed is the only host plant for the monarch butterfly<\/a>.<\/p>Plant type:<\/strong> Herb (a seed-producing perennial that does not develop woody tissue)
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3-9
<\/strong>Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade
Soil:<\/strong> Prefers well-drained, sandy soils
Duration:<\/strong> Perennial
Bloom time: <\/strong>May through September
Water use:<\/strong> Low
Mature height:<\/strong> 1 to 2 feet
Potential hazards: <\/strong>Toxic to humans, pets, horses, and other livestock
Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>Best Shrubs for Missouri<\/h2>
1. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"eastern](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/eastern-redbud-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: BETTY<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The eastern redbud is a tree that bursts with dainty, pink flowers early in the spring, even before its leaves emerge. It makes your yard look stunning and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding beauty and biodiversity to your outdoor space.<\/p>
This tree produces bead pod fruits, which attract songbirds, but they can also be eaten pickled or raw in salads, or fried in other dishes. <\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub or small tree
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>4-9
Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial shade
Soil: <\/strong>Moist, well-draining, and nutrient-rich
<\/strong>Duration: <\/strong>Perennial
Bloom time: <\/strong>March through May
Water use: <\/strong>Low
Mature height: <\/strong>20 to 30 feet
Potential hazards: <\/strong>No toxic effects, but the branches tend to break
Maintenance: <\/strong>Moderate<\/p>2. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana<\/em>)<\/h3>
A Missouri native plant<\/em><\/p>
![\"Beautyberry](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/beautyberry-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Donald Lee Pardue<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The American beautyberry produces small pink flowers in the spring and a showy display of purple berries in the fall. The berries not only stand out with their bright color but are also a real treat for various songbirds. Moreover, this plant is easy to care for and relatively resistant to drought and insects.<\/p>
An interesting fact about the American beautyberry is that its leaves contain compounds (callicarpenal and intermedeol) that may work as a mosquito repellent<\/a>. So, you might want to consider it in your arsenal against these pesky pests.<\/p>
Plant type: <\/strong>Shrub
USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>6-10
Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade
Soil:<\/strong> Moist, rich soils, acidic
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial
Bloom time: <\/strong>June through August
Water use: <\/strong>Low
Mature height: <\/strong>3-8 feet
Potential hazards: <\/strong>Mild gastrointestinal discomfort is possible
Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>3. Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens<\/em>)<\/h3>
- 2. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 2. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Lance-Leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)<\/a><\/li>
- 1. Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya)<\/a><\/li>