Order Native Tree/Shrub Seedlings for $1 or Less!
For many years, Wild Ones St. Louis has offered the ability to order small quantities of seedlings from the Missouri Dept of Conservation George O. White nursery. This was started as a service to our members so they could order a small number of many seedlings instead of a bundle of 10 or 25 per species.
As our membership has increased so has the quantity of seedlings ordered each year; more than 1,500 in 2024. It required 12-14 volunteers, working at 8 tables. We are the ‘victim’ of our own success! Frankly, the logistics have become overwhelming for our dedicated volunteers and the Board has decided we will no longer offer this service.
DIY! We now encourage chapter members, along with all our subscribers, to order seedlings directly from MDC.
The MDC website has a wealth of information about how to prepare a site and how to plant. The 2024-2025 order form can be found here
Because you will only be able to order in quantities of 10 or 25, you may want to start talking with family, friends, neighbors, community organizations about going together on an order. The cost is $1 or less per seedling.
Ordering as soon as the website becomes active on September 3rd is the best advice…likely this will be 12:01am!! Last year some species were sold out within hours.
Meanwhile, you may find people on the St. Louis Native Plant Swap Facebook page who are willing to give away seedlings or trade for something they want. Or, if you want a more established tree or shrub you can always check local nurseries, native plant sales (several coming up in the fall) or the non-profit Forest ReLeaf.
From the archives, volunteers organizing the 2016 seedling order
