Choose from a huge variety of native wildflowers, ferns, trees and shrubs for home landscaping at the Shaw Nature Reserve’s Wildflower Market on Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual sale offers the widest array of native plants available in the metro St. Louis area, selected by the Reserve’s horticulture staff and several local nurseries.
The Shaw Wildflower Market offers hundreds of varieties of annual and perennial plants that are beneficial in attracting native species of birds and butterflies. Select from the showiest and hardiest native plants for sun or shade, including pale purple coneflower, butterfly milkweed, rose turtlehead, dwarf crested iris, cardinal flower, compass plant, wild phlox, maidenhair fern, bottle-brush buckeye and fringe tree.
“Right now, native plants are in huge demand,” said Scott Woodbury, horticulturalist at the Shaw Nature Reserve. “The Shaw Nature Reserve will offer hundreds of Missouri species of native plants that are great for home gardens, rain gardens, prairies, wetlands and woodland gardens.”
Along with the Shaw Nature Reserve, participants include Forrest Keeling Nursery, Missouri Wildflower Nursery, Pan’s Garden, Wild Ones Natural Landscapers, Ozark Berry Farm and Andy Weiss Native Plants.
You’ll also enjoy the chance to shop for wine, honey, meat, bread, beer, eggs, cheese, cut flowers, birdhouses, artwork, books and much more while enjoying the toe-tapping live acoustic music by The Folk School on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
After shopping the Spring Wildflower Sale, take time to explore the 2,400-acre Shaw Nature Reserve, where the Whitmire Wildflower Garden offers an example of home landscaping with Missouri native flowers and plants. Explore the tallgrass prairie, walk the boardwalk in the wetland or visit the historic Bascom House.
The sale will be held on the grounds of the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO. Take interstate 44 to exit #253 and follow the signs to the Reserve and sale. Admission to the sale is included with Reserve admission of $5 for adults and free for Missouri Botanical Garden members. Children ages 12 and under are free.
Missouri Botanical Garden members. Children ages 12 and under are free.
Cash or checks only are accepted at the sale.
For more information, please visit online at www.shawnature.org/nativeland/plantsale.aspx or call (636) 451-3512.
The Shaw Nature Reserve is a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden.