Beautiful, ecologically successful landscapes begin with matching plants to the conditions where they grow best. Using plants native to our region gives you a head start since they are already adapted to our climate and soils. However, it is still important to consider specific site conditions and available space when choosing plants.
Right Site Conditions
All plants have specific conditions in which they perform best. Some need full sun, others full shade; some prefer dry, well-drained soils, while others thrive in wet or even flooded conditions. Successful planting starts with understanding your own site and choosing plants that are a good fit for the conditions that you have. One helpful approach is to think about what natural habitat your site most closely resembles and then select plants that naturally grow in in that environment.
At the Brightside Demonstration Garden, native plants are grown in site conditions that resemble where they naturally occur. Visitors can explore a variety of garden types –including glade, prairie, woodland, rain garden/wetland, and butterfly garden areas — and use interpretive displays to identify which conditions best match their own landscapes. They can see which plants are thriving where and gather ideas for their own gardens. Also, plants are grouped into communities that work well together, making it easy to find plant combinations suited to any site.
Can’t make it to the garden? Use the Garden Habitat Guide to identify your garden type, then visit our What Should I Plant? page to explore great native plant options for your landscape.
Right Amount of Space
While trees provide shade and reduce energy use, planting large trees too close to power lines can lead to outages and safety hazards. Only trees that stay under 25 feet tall should be planted near overhead lines. At the Demonstration Garden, we’ve planted buttonbush and white fringetree along the fence line — both remain small enough to coexist safely with nearby power lines.
Plants also need adequate space below ground. Before digging, always call Dig Rite to have underground utilities marked. This free service helps prevent damage and keeps everyone safe. Call 1-800-DIG-RITE (1-800-344-7483), dial 811, or visit www.mo1call.com. Requests usually require just a few days’ notice.
See the right plants in the right place at the Demo GardenCreate Your Own Sustainable Landscape
Ready to start planting the right plants in the right place? Use the pages below to help identify your site conditions, choose the best plants, and create a beautiful, sustainable garden.
- Discover the importance of Native Plants
- Find your Garden Habitat from your site conditions
- Select Plants that will thrive in your site
- Create space for your plants by Reducing Lawn
- Consider planting a Rain Garden to help slow and absorb water
- Learn how to Design a beautiful, sustainable garden
- Work with nature to Create & Care for your landscape
Resources
Forest ReLeaf of Missouri provides free trees to communities, schools and nonprofit properties.
To learn more about planting the right tree in the right place visit Ameren Missouri or see the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Right Tree Right Place guide.
Find the best plants for your yard or garden:
To find ‘naturally resilient plants for naturally beautiful landscapes’ check out Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native website.
Missouri Botanical Garden’s plant finder is also a great resource to find Missouri native plants that meet your needs.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is a great resource – learn about trees, shrubs and vines and wildflowers and grasses.
Learn about all of the wonderful benefits trees provide through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Trees Work campaign.
Check out i-Tree Design to find out more benefits of trees. Just follow the steps — enter your address, place your tree and click estimate benefits.
Photo credit: Perry Eckhardt