Barry County Master Gardeners have been invited to write a monthly column for the Cassville Democrat and we will take turns writing articles about a variety of topics.
Master Gardeners take 30 hours of classes, online or in person, covering a wide variety of gardening topics. After completing the classes, we commit to volunteer hours and education hours to fulfill annual master gardener requirements. Master Gardener groups are facilitated by the University of Missouri Extension program, and our main purpose is to provide education to others. This column is a perfect way to do that!
This is the time of year when you might be wondering what to plant in your garden. I’ve been gardening in the Ozarks for 20 years and have a few favorites because they have grown so well in my garden. They have also proven to be deer resistant! I’ve tried many native plants and not all have been a success, but these five have done very well.
The first is the bright orange butterfly weed that you see along the roadside in June and July. This plant can grow to 30 inches tall and wide and it requires very little water once established.
It likes sun but will also grow in light shade. Many kinds of butterflies favor this plant, and I’ve seen dozens of them covering the flowers. Occasionally, the plant is stripped of its leaves by caterpillars, but it will refoliate and look good again.
You can extend the flowering season a little by doing some deadheading. Once it is established, do not try to move this plant! It will probably not survive! Butterfly weed produces seedlings which can be dug and moved while small.
Blue Wild Indigo (baptisia australis) is another common sight along the roads in some areas. It has tall spikes of bluish-purple flowers in May and June. The foliage can grow to 24 inches tall and spread to 3 feet. Its foliage is attractive all season and it develops interesting seed pods in late summer. I have also had seedlings from this plant for my own garden or to share with others.
The third plant that I recommend is a flowering plant for shade known as Indian Pink (spigelia marilandica). This plant is native to the southeastern U.S. where it grows in forests and along stream banks. It has attractive foliage all season, grows to 24 inches and has gorgeous tubular red and yellow flowers in June and July. It prefers shade or part sun and the hummingbirds love it. It also produces seedlings to replant or share. It will require a little more water than the first two plants.
Two shrubs make my favorites list. The first is the oak-leaf hydrangea which is also native to the southeastern states. The original plant grows quite large – up to 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide. With proper pruning it can be contained to 5 feet tall and 3-4 feet in width. There are cultivars available at most nurseries that will be smaller than the original. This hydrangea has large leaves and conical clusters of white blooms which become pinkish and then tan as they dry and can be left on the bush for fall interest. It has beautiful fall color with very deep burgundy leaves, and after the leaves fall, it exhibits exfoliating bark during the winter. This plant truly has 4 seasons of interest. I’ve often had seedlings appear in my garden which I have happily shared!
The other shrub that I consider a must-have is American Beautyberry which grew in colonies on the banks of the White River before Table Rock Lake was created. It will grow in medium shade to mostly sun and in average to dry locations. American Beautyberry is kind of an ordinary looking shrub with small inconsequential flowers in summer but is very attention getting in the fall when its berries turn a bright purple and its foliage yellows. Birds like the berries, and I have read that it often produces seedlings, although I haven’t found any. The only maintenance required is trimming the stems back to 10-12 inches in late winter and watering during dry periods.
Oak leaf hydrangeas can be found at most nurseries. The other plants can be found at native plant nurseries. Both Ozark Soul Native Plants and Missouri Wildflowers Nursery travel to nearby cities such as Springfield, Eureka Springs, and Joplin to deliver your plant orders. Check them out online.
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers with gardening backgrounds ranging from hobbyist to professional, from beginner to experienced, from young adult to senior citizen. The common bond is a love of gardening, learning and sharing. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Cassville Library basement meeting room.
