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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.