Across the metro, native plants once dismissed as pesky weeds are getting reclassified as the garden stars they are — with Overland Park and other metro cities rolling out the green carpet.
Why the sudden change of heart? The Heartland did its research and discovered native plants have plenty of benefits, like filtering rainwater and reducing flooding. Basically, one man’s weed is another’s low-cost flood insurance.
Tips to get gardening
Want to embrace your wildflower side? Here are some tips to get your green thumbs wiggling:
- Take note of your lawn’s environment. Is it sunny or shady? Try using this tool to measure your yard’s shadiness to pick the best plants.
- Choose foliage that blooms in different seasons so your garden is glorious year round.
- Plan to have a garden border for a finished look. Brick, limestone, or simply a clean-cut edge are great options.
- Consider hiring a professional to get down and dirty for you.
Where to get native plants
These KC metro nurseries have native plants waiting to leaf with you.
- Black Roots Farms | 12905 State Hwy. A, Liberty, MO
- City Roots Nursery | 3037 Woodland Ave., KCMO
- Colonial Gardens | 27610 E. Wyatt Rd., Blue Springs, MO
- Happy Apple’s Farm | 17524 178th St., Toganoxie, KS
- Prairie & Wetland Center | 16246 S. US Hwy. 71, Belton, MO
- Sow Wild Natives | 6201 Noland Rd., KCMO
- Soil Service Nursery and Garden Center | 7130 Troost Ave., KCMO
- Suburban Lawns & Garden | Multiple Locations
Local resources
The Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! database is basically Tinder for plants — searchable by sunlight, soil, bloom season, color, and wildlife value. Looking for a butterfly magnet that thrives in clay? Or a drought-tolerant stunner that blooms in July? The database swipes right every time.
Pair it with Deep Roots KC’s guides and Johnson County’s Contain the Rain cost-share program to turn your yard into a prairie paradise.
