Sun Gardens
These two gardens feature native Missouri plants that thrive in full sun and can tolerate dry soil.
The north sun garden was replanted in 2023 and illustrates how quickly native plants can become established and flourish.
See below for information on the species planted in these areas.





Asclepias hirtella
Tall Green Milkweed
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Attracts: Butterflies
Blooms: June to August
Photo © Missouri Botanical Garden

Desmanthus illinoensis
Illinois Bundleweed
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Attracts: Butterflies
Blooms: June
Photo © Missouri Botanical Garden

Echinacea paradoxa
Yellow Coneflower
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Blooms: June to August
Photo © Missouri Botanical Garden

Helianthus silphioides
Rosinweed Sunflower
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Attracts: Birds, butterflies
Blooms: August to October
Photo © Missouri Botanical Garden

Liatris mucronata
Bottle Brush Blazingstar
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Attracts: Butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds
Blooms: July to September
Photo © Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

Liatris spicata
Dense Blazing Star
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Attracts: Butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds
Blooms: July to August
Photo © Missouri Botanical Garden

Oenothera macrocarpa
Missouri Primrose
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Blooms: May to August
Photo © John Whiteman

Panicum virgatum
Switch Grass
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Attracts: Birds
Blooms: July to February
Photo © Missouri Botanical Garden

Penstemon cobaea
Purple Beards Tongue
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Attracts: Butterflies
Blooms: May
Photo © John Whiteman

Scutellaria parvula
Small Skullcap
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Blooms: March to June
Photo © Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Solidago rigida
Stiff Goldenrod
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Attracts: Butterflies
Blooms: August to September
Photo © Missouri Botanical Garden

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Aromatic Aster
Native to Missouri
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Attracts: Songbirds, butterflies
Blooms: September to November
Photo © Missouri Botanical Garden