KANSAS CITY – Having a good planting plan can help gardeners develop a native plant garden that meets their goals. On Saturday, February 25, from 10 to 11 am, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will be offering a virtual do-it-yourself course in Native Landscape Design. This online course will help gardeners make choices about which species to plant and how to design their placement for a successful garden.
Native wildflowers and grasses can provide year-round color and texture. They are adapted to Missouri’s soils and climate, and once established, maintenance can be more minimal than non-native plants. Also, the natives serve songbirds, pollinating insects, and wildlife better. Thoughtful species choices can also provide an array of wildflower blooms from spring to fall. Native prairie grasses provide backdrops in the summer, golden-red color in the fall, and interesting patterns in the winter.
Late winter is a good time to prepare for spring planting. MDC native landscape specialist Cydney Ross will provide tips and talk about how selecting the right plants and designing with intent can help a gardener achieve the colors and patterns he seeks. A backdrop for the class will be the expansive garden of native plants at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City, where Ross is based. That garden shows how natives can be used in landscaping projects.
The DIY Native Landscape Design course is open to participants aged 18 and over. Registration is required. To register, visit
