Maintaining Wild Tip – Hummingbird arrival by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member I know the hummingbirds will be here soon when I see my coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) blooming. Hummingbirds love red tube-shaped flowers. I put out a hummingbird feeder near my kitchen window so I can watch these little…
Maintaining Wild Tip – Queen bumblebees by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member Queen bumblebees emerge looking for nectar and pollen in order to start new colonies. Early blooming flowers and shrubs give queen bees their necessary fuel for starting the next generation. Check out the Grow Native! Top 10 Native…
Maintaining Wild Tip – Arbor Day by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member April 2 is Missouri Arbor Day Find a friend to help you plant a tree or shrub. https://moreleaf.org/how-to-plant-a-tree/ On April 3rd and 4th, 2026, celebrate Arbor Day in Missouri at the Missouri Botanical Garden and receive a free Missouri…
Replacing Lawn with Native Plants at Home March 26, 2026 Native Plant School Class at Shaw Nature Reserve Summary by Jen Sieradzki, Manager of Native Plant Horticulture for Shaw Nature Reserve Instructors: Taylor Heuermann – Rainscaping Coordinator, Earthways Center – a division of Missouri Botanical Garden Jessica Griffard – Experiential Learning Coordinator, Missouri Botanical Garden Taylor and Jessica started the class by…
Maintaining Wild Tip – Cover crops by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member Cover crops can be used to repair damaged soil. Planting a temporary crop to hold soil from erosion, prevent weeds, and add organic matter can prepare a bed for the future garden. These weedy species have an important role in establishing…
Gathering highlights by Donna Short Orchids in Missouri Presented by: John Oliver For the last Winter Speaker Series event of the year we began early with a social period and various activities. Below was an opportunity to test your knowledge with a “Breaking Dormancy” quiz to identify plants by…
Maintaining Wild Tip by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member Plant and divide perennials and grasses March through May. As the ground warms, spring plants will send out its first green growth. It is easiest to move when it is less than an inch of growth above the ground. When plants are…
What do I plant now? – Alternatives to invasive plants in home gardens February 26, 2026 Native Plant School Class at Shaw Nature Reserve Summary by Jen Sieradzki, Manager of Native Plant Horticulture for Shaw Nature Reserve Missouri banned the sale of six invasive plant species with the approval of…
Maintaining Wild Tip: Buying trees by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member When buying a tree, it is ok to buy the small size. If a tree is grown in a pot for 3 years, it will not be as happy as the tree that was planted in the ground 3 years…
Maintaining Wild Tip by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member When sowing seeds indoors, be sure to use sterile soil mediums and new or thoroughly cleaned containers to prevent diseases. As soon as seeds sprout, provide ample light to encourage stocky growth. Baby plants want stable warm temperatures, regular watering, air…
