Carson's Nurseries

This week’s Native Spotlight is hard to miss! Passion Flower, also known as maypop, is a native climbing vine known for its incredibly distinctive flowers, vigorous growth, and late-summer fruit. With the right structure to climb, Passion Flower can quickly bring color and interest to fences, arbors, trellises, and other areas of the landscape. Light: Full sun Flowers: Large, distinctive blooms featuring an intricate circular fringe surrounded by shades of purple, blue and wh

This week’s Native Spotlight features two native shrubs that can fill very different roles in the landscape: New Jersey Tea and Buttonbush. Whether you’re working with a dry, rocky slope or an area that tends to stay wet, there may be a native option for the job. New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) New Jersey Tea is a fragrant, low-growing deciduous shrub known for its tiny white flowers from spring into summer. Its dried leaves have also historically been used as a caffein

Looking for a native plant for those tricky shady spots? Heartleaf Skullcap might be exactly what you're looking for. This low-growing native perennial is a member of the mint family and is easily recognized by its heart-shaped leaves and spikes of blue-purple flowers. Its ability to grow in shade and rocky Ozarks soil makes it especially useful for woodland gardens, borders, and areas where other plants may struggle. Why We Like It Heartleaf Skullcap combines delicate blooms

Sisyrinchium spp. Don't let the name fool you—Blue-eyed Grass isn't actually a grass! This charming native perennial is a member of the iris family, producing delicate star-shaped blooms that brighten the garden each spring. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for borders, pathways, rock gardens, and naturalized landscapes, adding pops of color without taking over. Why We Like It Blue-eyed Grass may be small, but it packs plenty of charm. Its bright blue flowers app

Oakleaf Hydrangea & Smooth Hydrangea Hydrangeas are among the most loved flowering shrubs in the landscape, but did you know Missouri is home to beautiful native hydrangeas? This week we're featuring two outstanding native species that offer months of blooms, support wildlife, and provide lasting beauty in the landscape. Oakleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia Why We Like It Oakleaf Hydrangea is one of the hardest-working native shrubs you can plant. From its oversized white

When most people think of native plants, they picture colorful wildflowers. But Missouri is also home to two incredible native evergreens that provide beauty and wildlife habitat all year long. This week we're highlighting two trees that thrive in the Ozarks and make outstanding additions to home landscapes. Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana One of Missouri's toughest native trees, Eastern Red Cedar can be found growing almost anywhere—from rocky hillsides to open fields

If you've walked through our native plant section lately, you've probably noticed one thing—yellow. Some of Missouri's toughest and most beneficial native plants are putting on their summer display right now. From towering prairie giants to fragrant wildflowers and dependable pollinator favorites, these three species provide months of color while supporting butterflies, bees, and birds. Let's meet three of our favorite yellow bloomers. Compass Plant Silphium laciniatum The ta

If you're looking for a native shrub that checks all the boxes, Elderberry is hard to beat. This fast-growing native shrub produces beautiful white flower clusters in late spring and early summer, followed by dark berries later in the season. It's a favorite among pollinators, birds, and gardeners alike, making it one of the most rewarding native shrubs you can add to your landscape. Whether you're creating a privacy screen, stabilizing a slope, or simply adding wildlife valu

If you're looking for a shrub that works hard all year long, Ninebark deserves a spot on your list. Native to much of North America, Ninebark is a hardy, low-maintenance shrub that offers colorful foliage, spring flowers, and year-round landscape interest. Whether you're planting a privacy screen, stabilizing a slope, or simply adding contrast to your garden, Ninebark is one of the most versatile native shrubs you can grow. At Carson's, we carry several beautiful varieties wi

As monarch butterflies begin their journey through Missouri, now is a great time to think about the plants that help support them along the way. This week's Native Plant Spotlight features two native garden favorites: Coneflower (Echinacea) and Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa). Both provide valuable resources for pollinators, thrive in our region, and bring lasting color to the landscape. Whether you're creating a pollinator garden, adding native plants to an existing bed,

This week's Native Plant Spotlight features St. John's-wort, a highly adaptable shrub that delivers bright spring blooms, dependable texture, and exceptional durability in the landscape. If you're looking for a low-maintenance plant that can handle difficult sites while providing season-long interest, St. John's-wort deserves a closer look. Why We Like It St. John's-wort is one of those plants that quietly gets the job done. It tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, re

Tyler and Shenandoah Switchgrass Welcome to our first Native Plant Spotlight! Throughout the summer, we'll be highlighting native plants and native cultivars that perform well in southwest Missouri landscapes. This week's spotlight is Shenandoah Switchgrass, one of our favorite ornamental grasses for adding color, texture, and year-round interest. Why We Like It Shenandoah Switchgrass is a cultivar of our native switchgrass that was selected for its hardiness and exceptional

Native plants are becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners, gardeners, and landscapers throughout the Ozarks—and for good reason. Native plants are adapted to our region's climate and growing conditions, making them valuable additions to landscapes of all sizes. Many provide seasonal interest, support pollinators and wildlife, and thrive with minimal intervention once established. At Carson's Nurseries, we've recently expanded our native plant offerings with de