Native Gardens

The native gardens and habitats around Lakeside Nature Center are a vital part of our mission to promote, conserve and educate people about native Missouri plants.

Enjoy these unique areas year-round, from dawn to dusk.

What’s Growing

Learn about all the native plants in the gardens at Lakeside Nature Center.

Sun Gardens

These two gardens feature plants that thrive in full sun and can tolerate dry soil.

Shade Garden

Featuring native Missouri plants that thrive in full to partial shade and can tolerate dry soil.

Rain Gardens

Replanted in 2024, these plants tolerate and even thrive in full sun and soil that is often wet.

Native Garden Volunteer Events

Volunteers meet monthly to remove invasive species, maintain/improve the native gardens and share knowledge of native gardening.

View all native garden volunteer events for the season.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like to bring a group for a volunteer event, please fill out an inquiry form.

Benefits of Native Gardens

Adapted to this area
Native plants are adapted to the local climate, soil, and pests, so they require less maintenance than non-native plants. They also naturally resist local pests and diseases, so your garden will be healthier and more sustainable. 

Low maintenance
Native plants are perennials, meaning they come back year after year. They also have deep roots, so they are drought tolerant, and hardier than other plants. 

Habitat for wildlife
Native plants provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and small animals. 

Climate resilience
Native plants provide a buffer for wildlife against food shortages and environmental disruptions. 

Pollinator Garden

Wasp on Tropical Milkweed Bloom. Photo © Tom Schroeder

The pollinator garden is devoted to plants that attract butterflies, moths, birds, bats and especially bees, which feed on the flower’s nectar.

Pollinators affect 35 percent of the world’s crop production, increasing outputs of 87 of the leading food crops worldwide, as well as many plant-derived medicines. At least one-third of the world’s agricultural crops depend upon pollination provided by insects and other animals.

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