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5 Missouri Natives to add Winter Interest for your Home

Is your yard looking colorless this winter? Sick of the dark brown trunks and bare limbs on all the trees in your neighborhood? Maybe you should move to somewhere tropical!

WAIT! Please stay. Missouri is a beautiful state that has plenty to offer with our four seasons weather. Many homeowners would benefit by thinking of their yards more like a landscape that changes with the seasons. The leaves may be gone on your oaks, but that does not mean your yard is barren. There are plenty of native trees and shrubs for your yard that have interesting characteristics which become more visible in the winter.

Remember to keep in mind your site restrictions and characteristics while planning your landscape. For example, some species do well with moist soils, other require the area to drain well.

By planting natives you may be able to use less water, perform less maintenance in your yard, AND have less chance of allowing invasive species to take over your property.

We have compiled a list of five native plants that will keep adding interest to your yard even after the fall leaves have changed color.

1. American Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana

CC image courtesy of Michael Gras, M.Ed. on Flickr

CC image courtesy of Michael Gras, M.Ed. on Flickr

As the name implies, Beautyberry is a deciduous shrub that is valued for its showy berries found in winter. The berries will ripen between September-October and are well liked among native bird species.

 

 

 


 

2. American Holly, Ilex opaca

via Freeimages.com

via Freeimages.com

This tree is native to Missouri and has two reasons to be included in your landscape. The leaves are evergreen, so you will have green foliage year round. Also, in winter there are bright red berries. Get even more use out of your American Holly and take a clipping to decorate in the winter time.

 

 

 


 

3. Southern Magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora

This beautiful tree is not exactly winter hardy in the St. Louis area, but if sited in a protected area it should do just fine (but keep in mind they can get large). This tree, like the American Holly, is a broadleaf evergreen. So you will enjoy the greenery year round in your yard. As an added bonus the Southern Magnolia boasts large showy and fragrant flowers in late spring.

CC image courtesy of Rex Hammock via Flickr

CC image courtesy of Rex Hammock via Flickr

 

 


 

 

4. River Birch, Betula nigra

via Freeimages.com

via Freeimages.com

   River birches will loose their leaves, but this only emphasizes the tree’s distinct bark. You may recall seeing the species growing multiple stems, this is a common characteristic in cultivation.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

5. Eastern Wahoo, Euonymus atropurpureus  

CC image courtesy of Randy Nonenmacher on Flickr

CC image courtesy of Randy Nonenmacher on Flickr

This easily grown shrub has showy fruits that attract birds. The multi-trunk form makes it perfect for use as a hedge in your home landscape.

image via Flickr

image via Flickr

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 As tree professionals we care about the landscape you want to create. We want to provide you with the knowledge you need to make educated decisions about your choice of plants, and we are here to help.  Our services include tree pruning, removal, plantings and so much more!

Contact us today for a free estimate.

Want more information on these and other plants found in the St. Louis region? Check out the website for Missouri Botanical Gardens plant finder, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plantfinder/plantfindersearch.aspx