Since January, native plant enthusiasts have planted thousands of native plants in the greenhouse of the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center during our wintertime Discover Native Garden sessions. We chose many plants from Deep Roots’ “Sweet Sixteen” and “KC Keystones” lists because of their wildlife support, beauty, and ease of growing from seed. Here’s a sneak peek of what we’ve been growing:
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Eyelash Grass (Bouteloua gracilis)
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Coneflowers (Echinacea pallida, E. paradoxa, E. purpurea)
Foxgloves (Penstemon digitalis and P. pallidis)
Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Northern Blazingstar (Liatris scariosa v. nieuwlandii)
Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium
Short Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)
Join Final Greenhouse Sessions!
Not only are folks learning how they can successfully grow native perennials, but they’re supporting our community at large. On Saturday, April 26th from 10am-2pm, hundreds of native plants will be given away during Missouri Department of Conservation’s “Go Native” event held at the Discovery Center. This free, all ages event is open to the public and is a great way to learn about the role native flora has in our environment. Be sure to stop by and chat with volunteers who have nurtured these plants from seed and take a few to add to your garden!
Though we’ve still got snow on the ground, our outdoor Discover Native Gardening sessions are just around the corner! Starting April 8th you can learn about seasonal garden maintenance and native plant/weed ID three times a month at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center (with yours truly). I believe the best way to connect with nature and learn skills is by doing. So, roll up those sleeves and get ready to get your hands dirty. Check out the schedule and sign up to learn skills, feel empowered, and enjoy camaraderie with other nature enthusiasts. Spring will be here before we know it!
