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There are a variety of places to get natives plants to suit your location, budget and quantity.
Free / Special Circumstances
Free / Special Circumstances
The St. Louis Native Plant Swap Group on Facebook is active and a great source for free plants to get you started.
We also recommend that you join your local chapter of Wild Ones. St. Louis Wild Ones has monthly gatherings where members typically bring plants to share.
For Arbor Day (last Friday in April) many organizations such as Missouri Botanical Garden, MDC and Forest Releaf give away free trees. Google for details about events.
If you live in the City of St. Louis, you can request for a tree to be installed in the green strip between the sidewalk and street. You can specifically request a native tree to be planted; an arborist will determine which native tree is best suited for the specific location. If you don't live in St. Louis City, check with your local municipality to see if they have a similar program.
If you have a Callery (Bradford) Pear tree, you can chop it down and get a free replacement from the Missouri Invasive Plant Council. Details change every year. Google for more information
Close to Free
Close to Free
The Missouri Department of Conservation offers Missouri residents low cost native tree and shrub seedlings plants through the George O. White State Forest Nursery. Order plants in bundles of 10 or 25 online or by mail from September 1 until April 15. Plants are shipped at no charge to Missouri addresses or can be picked up at the nursery located in Licking, MO. St. Louis Wild Ones coordinates a group purchase of these seedlings each fall for members.
Native Plant Sales
Native Plant Sales
The Partners for Native Landscaping Spring Series typically includes one or two native plant sales. Proceeds from these sales support the series' outreach education events and presenters.
Bring Conservation Home presents a fall native plant event with plants for sale. Proceeds support program activities (wildlife habitat consultations, certification assessments, outreach events).
Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit has native wildflower sales in spring and fall. The larger sale is on Mother’s Day weekend in May every spring.
Ballwin Grows Native - Native Plant Sale
Saturday, Sept 13, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Pointe at Ballwin Commons 1 Ballwin Commons Cir, Ballwin, MO 63021
Ballwin Grows Native is hosting a native plant sale in partnership with the City of Ballwin Parks and Recreation Department. During the plant sale, Ballwin Grows Native will provide an indoor presentation on native gardening techniques for wellbeing and wildlife connections from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. A continuous outdoor demonstration will cover choosing, preparing and managing planting sites. The vendor is Papillon Perennials, accepting VENMO, cash, check, and credit cards.
Retail Native Plant Growers
Retail Native Plant Growers
Missouri Wildflowers Nursery is the largest source for natives in the state. They come to St. Louis regularly for events. You can pre-order for pick-up at these events or they can ship plants to you via UPS.
River City Natives is a small grower and seller of high-quality native plants. Orders can be picked up at from their regular booth at the Tower Grove Farmers Market or delivered by appointment in or near St. Louis.
For the best source of native trees and shrubs, consider Forrest Keeling in Elsberry.
St. Louis Nurseries with Native Plants
St. Louis Nurseries with Native Plants
Greenscape Gardens has an impressively large selection of high-quality natives in Manchester, MO. They also have staff with expertise in native plants.
Forest ReLeaf of Missouri often has native trees and shrubs available to purchase. You can see what's available on their online shop.
Other local nurseries that consistently carry native plants:
Rolling Ridge Nursery in Webster Groves, Sugar Creek Gardens in Kirkwood, The Garden Shop in south St. Louis City, Bowood Farms Garden & Supply in central St. Louis City, and Garden Heights in Richmond Heights.
Many St. Louis area nurseries are improving their stock of native plants, especially those listed in the Grow Native Resource Guide.
Wholesale
Wholesale
Papillon Perennials, located in Catawissa, MO about 50 miles southwest from St. Louis, specializes in growing and selling Missouri native plants. They are primarily a wholesaler, but are happy to accommodate smaller orders from individuals.
Dig Annuals & Perennials is a grower in South St. Louis City that supplies several local nurseries and contractors with native plants, but will also supply individuals with larger native plant orders
Pure Air Natives, located in North St. Louis City, is the best local source of native seed and native plant plugs for larger installations.
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