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What to Plant Right Now
Take advantage of southwest Missouri’s long planting seasons, and choose colorful plants that will spruce up your beds all year long.
by Heather Kohler, Lucy Caile, Katie McWilliams, Katie Pollock Estes, Michelle Lewis
Mar 2025
When to Grow
What to Plant in the Fall
With more people in the Ozarks embracing the movement known as “naturescaping,” there has been a renewed interest in native plants, shrubs and trees in residential yards.
Not only do native shrubs add beauty and year-round interest to landscaping with striking blooms, vibrant fall foliage and berries that attract a variety of wildlife, they are also well suited for the Ozarks’ climate, requiring little maintenance and little watering. When you plant native shrubs you cut down on mowing, reducing gas pollutants; you use less water, conserving fresh water; and you eliminate the need for pesticides, as native shrubs are naturally more resistant to pests. If you like the idea of planting shrubs that are lower-maintenance and preserve the natural diversity of the Ozarks, then there are several species of native shrubs to choose from, and many are available as seedlings through the Missouri Department of Conservation, along with guidance on how to plant each specific variety.
The Showy Ones
If it’s abundant spring blooms you’re after, try planting ninebark, a deciduous shrub that grows to about 5 feet and produces clusters of small white flowers in the spring. Once you know how to identify them, you can’t miss these flowering bushes with dripping branches of white blooms in older neighborhoods around the Ozarks. Their blooms attract lots of insects and they produce yellowish, dry capsule fruits that turn reddish-brown in the fall. The fall foliage of ninebark is especially pretty with colors ranging from yellow-green to shades of pink and orange.
The Towering Ones
If you want a larger, taller shrub for privacy, arrowwood viburnum would be a great choice as it can grow up to 15 feet tall. Native Americans were known to use these shrubs’ straight stems for arrow shafts, hence the common name, “arrowwood.” These shrubs produce white spring flowers and blueish black berries that attract wildlife like bees, birds and butterflies. They are also deer resistant, which is nice for rural areas. Arrowwood shrubs are considered an “area of concern” by the Missouri Department of Conservation, so planting this shrub could keep it from becoming extinct to the area and make it more common in the wild.
The Boldly Colorful Ones
Another native shrub that could make a great addition to landscaping is Ozark witch hazel, a shrub that has been growing in popularity, as it’s one of Missouri’s first native plants to bloom each year. With many medicinal uses and unique red and yellow hues, this shrub can add a pop of vibrant color in the spring. Another native shrub that offers deep red color to landscapes is fragrant sumac. It comes in shorter and taller varieties, both being drought resistant. Both types produce tight clusters of small, yellow flowers and clusters of hairy, reddish berries that arrive in late summer, and their fall foliage is vibrant orange and scarlet.
Whether you have a small yard or sprawling acres, native shrubs not only help enhance our Ozarks landscape and provide for our wildlife, but they are easy to maintain and are environmentally friendly.
What to Plant in Winter
You might be surprised to know that many greens grow well once planted outdoors or sown indoors through the final days of unwelcome frost.
Start your garden’s harvest at a slow and steady pace by planting greens known for toughing out cooler weather like peas, lettuce and arugula. Spinach is a good choice to start with if you’re beginning really early, as it is cold tolerant and often planted during the final days of the fall and through the winter seasons. Late winter is also a great time to start planting kale. This hardy green has the richest flavor after it’s harvested in the thick of cold weather, but you can also plant the seeds inside and set out young kale plants just before spring begins.
Other veggies you might consider fitting into your planting schedule before the spring heat arrives are Brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli.
If you’re really serious about getting your garden going, you can invest in season extending devices such as cold frames, hot beds, cloches or floating row covers. Several plants can thrive just as well with more budget-friendly tools like indoor planters, so there’s no one-size-fits-all technique for gardeners to use as they brave the chilly conditions.
Ready to get started? Use local resources like the extensive seed options at Mansfield-based Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. and the seeds and starts that will soon start to fill the aisles at your favorite nurseries like Schaffitzel’s Greenhouse and Wickman’s Garden Village.
Southwest Missouri Winter Favorites
Eastern Wahoo
This large shrub-like tree can grow up to 25 feet tall and is often confused with another (and invasive!) species called burning bush. That’s no surprise thanks to the fiery color it takes on during colder months. But unlike burning bush, the Eastern Wahoo is native to southwest Missouri. Starting in fall and extending into winter, it erupts with flowery, four-lobed purpley-red fruit. As cute and temptingly plump as these little fruits are, they are not edible to humans. The birds, however, love them.
American Holly
This classic symbol of Christmas is native to the southeastern United States but grows really well in Missouri. Plus, it’s covered in lovely little bursts of color during the winter months. It has the familiar pointed (and honestly quite prickly!) leaves that are thick and waxy year-round. But the bright red berries come out in the winter. If you’re lucky enough to have one in your yard, you can pluck some of the leaf bundles off to decorate during the holidays.
Southern Magnolia
Another southern tree that can thrive in the Ozarks is the Southern Magnolia. Unlike other varieties of deciduous magnolia that we see bursting with blooms in the spring and dropping their leaves in the fall, the Southern Magnolia is an evergreen. That means its huge and glossy leaves will hold their color and stay on the trees year-round. Its wide, buttery, white flowers are visible only in warm months, but the seed pods and any fallen leaves can be dried and make great additions to winter floral and greenery arrangements.
American Beautyberry
Starting in early fall, the American Beautyberry shrub begins to produce clusters of deep purple berries that hang on well into the winter. If you’re feeling really industrious, you can even collect the berries and use them to make jelly. Bonus for the warmer months: This plant also repels mosquitos, giving you a summertime bonus as well. Native to the southern United States, including Missouri, this shrub can grow up to 5 to 9 feet tall.
Hawthorn
Hawthorns are native to the Eastern United States, with Missouri on its far western range. Although this plant grows some pretty gnarly thorns, hence its name, it also pops with color thanks to its bright red berries. They appear in September and October and hang on through the winter. In the spring, the plant will erupt with clusters of white flowers.
What to Plant in Spring
Bring in the Spring
If you want to create a beautiful indoor spring bulb display with these simple tips. Learning to force bulbs is a simple way to add color and a touch of spring inside your home. The easiest bulbs to force indoors are amaryllis and paperwhites because they don’t need a cold snap in order to bloom, but for a more springy display try crocus, daffodils and grape hyacinth arrangements. To force the cheerful blooms of crocus, daffodils and grape hyacinth to bloom indoors, they require a reminder that they’ve been through winter. This means you need to chill the bulbs before bringing them indoors. Do this by planting them in potting soil, using the containers you plan to display them in indoors. Place the pots in a cold frame, basement or unheated shed. The goal is to chill them but protect them from direct frost and make sure they don’t get below freezing temperatures. How long you chill your bulbs depends on the type of bulb. Check the potting mix in the pots every few weeks and water thoroughly when the surface is dry to the touch. As you near the end of the chill time, check them for roots. Once you see roots forming, it’s time to pull your containers out and place them in a sunny spot indoors. Continue to water the soil as it begins to feel dry, and place moss on top of the soil. The white shoots on the tops of the bulbs will turn green from the sun, and your bulbs will begin to bloom two to three weeks later.
Experienced and aspiring home gardeners, listen up. It’s almost
time for you to start getting your hands dirty in the soil and working
on your vegetable garden. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac,
the estimated date for the last spring frost in southwest Missouri is
April 13. That means you should be able to safely plant seeds and starts
in the ground without having to worry that a late-season frost will
wipe them out prematurely. (Of course, this is an estimate. Mother
Nature does what she wants.)
Test Your Soil
Ideally by now, you’ve already tended to your soil. If not, don’t worry. The University of Missouri’s Greene County extension office is super helpful when it comes to soil prep. You can bring a sample in, and they’ll report back with your soil’s level of pH, phosphorous, organic matter and more with treatment recommendations for how to improve your soil for your growing goals. Adding fertilizer or other materials to prep your soil for growing could make all the difference in how productive your plants are. With local pros who can guide you along the way, digging into soil health is a no-brainer.
Start with Seeds
At Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. (2278 Baker Creek Road, Mansfield, 417-924-8917), you can find a huge variety of vegetable and flower seeds, many of them rare heirloom varieties that can add some funky colors and interesting flavors to your garden. The Springfield company’s website is super-handy, with descriptions of the flavor and hardiness of the plants and helpful reviews from customers. But we recommend visiting the seed store in person, so you can flip through seed packets and peek at the farm. The spot hosts numerous events too.
Start with Plants
If you would rather grow from starter plants instead of seeds, there are lots of places that can get you started. Most local nurseries, like Schaffitzel’s Flowers & Greenhouses, Wheeler Gardens and also Wickman’s Garden Village
have tons of flowers and plants—both annuals and perennials—that you
can transplant into your home flower beds and pots. And they can help
you determine what will work in your space if you let them know how much
sun or shade the plants will get.
At the Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale on April 26, 2025 (starting at 8 a.m. at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden Pavilion, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield),
you can spruce up your flower beds or veggie gardens by buying plants
from the pros. Expect to see everything from ground cover and perennial
flowers to herbs and veggies. They even have shrubs and trees.
So get out and shop for the little plants that will help you make up for lost time in your backyard garden. Whether you’re looking for large green foliage or blooming flowers, these bulbs will put your spirits in a sunshine daydream.
Canna
Canna bulbs thrive in a moist setting with full sun but can be grown in partial shade, says Lynne Reynolds from Wheeler Gardens & Florist. Best of all, cannas require very little maintenance once planted, and after they bloom, the flowers are perfect for bouquets.
Elephant Ear
“Favoring rich, moist soil, elephant ear bulbs can be grown in full sun or filtered sun or shade depending on variety,” Reynolds says. Although they do not have a bloom, these plants provide great foliage and mix well with vibrant-colored flowers. Plant the bulbs 5 to 6 inches below ground level and water frequently during dry spells. Not seeing much growth? Not to worry—elephant ear bulbs grow slowly, says Kathy McFarland with Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.
Caladium
Correct water and nutrients are crucial in the early life of caladium bulbs. Fertilize soil before or after planting to strengthen bulbs for next season. Keep bulbs moist but not so wet that they’ll rot, Reynolds says. If you’re unsure, err on the drier side. Plant the bulbs 1 inch below the ground and four to six inches apart for the best results.
Lily
Offered in a wide variety of colors, lilies are perfect for customizing your garden. Oriental, Asiatic or Madonna lilies offer a summer bloom, and Reynolds says their one requirement is well-drained soil. Plant the bulbs six to eight inches beneath the surface and watch their beauty come to life. To strengthen their droopy stems, McFarland recommends stalking the plants as they grow taller.
What to Plant in the Summer
Tips for Growing Sunflowers
Plant your sunflower seeds in early June to enjoy a perfect crop of grown-at-home blooms in late August and September. August and September are the perfect time to enjoy sunflower blooms, and lucky for us, sunflowers can be easily sewn right into the ground. Early June is the time to make some room in your garden or outdoor space, because nothing says summertime like these happy flowers. “I love sunflowers because they are easy to grow, dramatic, and they add so much character to a garden,” says homesteader Amy Taylor. You can plant your seeds in garden beds, or plant them in containers. “I always plant more seeds than I actually need, that way if critters get a few or if some don’t germinate, you still have plenty of blooms,” says Taylor.
If you want to enjoy sunflowers that have fall color in them, try varieties like chocolate cherry, or red sun sunflower seeds from Baker Creek (92278 Baker Creek Road, Mansfield). If you’re looking for towering sunflowers, the Mongolian giant can grow up to 14 feet tall. “I like to plant them in groupings. They will be so dramatic and they will all lean on each other for support as they grow tall,” says Taylor. You can also plant them along a wall or fence for built-in support. Just make sure you plant your seeds somewhere that gets plenty of sun, because sunflowers need six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day.
Sunflowers are great as cut flowers. Bringing a hand-picked bouquet from your garden into your home can be quite magical, and since these flowers are so easy to grow, anyone can enjoy growing them, even if you don’t think you have a green thumb. Leaving some blooms out in your garden will attract wildlife as well. “At the end of the season when the flowers are dried up, leave them standing tall. You’ll have beautiful songbirds and finches visiting you every day enjoying the seeds,” says Taylor. “This is one of my favorite things about the end of the season.”
Plan Your Perfect Garden with a Garden Journal
Don’t let your garden observations become foggy memories of the past. Create a garden journal to plan and track your garden’s progress. “If you keep a detailed garden journal, you will have a resource to develop and improve your gardening skills year after year,” says Greene County Master Gardener George Deatz.
Set Up Journal Sections
Deatz recommends creating sections in your garden journal. One for garden layout, where you sketch or describe your garden layout to keep track of when and where everything is planted. The next section can be about plant profiles. “You’ll want to document each type of plant with full name, variety, planting date and care instructions from the packets,” says Deatz. “Seasonal tasks and tips can be the next section where you create your own calendar with a task list for weekly, monthly, and seasonal gardening activities for your future use.”
Include Key Information
Deatz suggests keeping track of key information like dates for planting, germination, flowering, problems and harvest dates. This information makes it easy to generate must-have seed and plant lists for next year. Weather is another thing Deatz recommends you keep track of. “Record your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and track local weather conditions, including spring and fall frost dates, rainfall, and temperature changes,” says Deatz. Understanding your area’s weather patterns can be very helpful when trying to decide whether to cover your tomatoes against a forecasted frost. Plan your soil tasks in your journal as well. “Keep track of soil types, soil test dates with results, pH levels, plus any added amendments with dates,” says Deatz.
Track the Progress and Make a Plan
Recording the progress of your garden can be an exciting and rewarding process. Deatz suggests taking regular photos to visually document growth, changes and problems in your garden. “Also make sure to note details of any diseases, pests or unusual plant behaviors,” says Deatz. “At the end of each season, review your notes to identify what worked well and what didn’t.” You can use your new insights to start planning for the next garden. Deatz recommends doing this sooner rather than later, while the information is fresh in your mind.
Where to Buy Your Bulbs
Here are a few places you can pick up your plants for the spring.
