Merit Badge

From what I can tell, those who have heard of but not yet planted Missouri natives are often under the impression that the end result will look like you just have a bunch of weeds in your yard. Check out the Missouri Botanical Garden's Plants of Merit list, and you will see that is just not the case -- though most native plants will thrive when you're not looking, just like weeds. I will say that those who are still fans of the astroturf lawn and algorithmically placed flowers may not be totally satisfied with the slightly wilder look of a native plant garden, but most people become fans of them after getting through a St. Louis summer without having to spend hours and hours out in the humidity, weeding and watering. Where to find them? Here's a list of local nurseries who carry Plants of Merit. --Stefene Russell