gracie

Horticulture Supervisor, Kyle Cheesborough [caption id="attachment_3123" align="alignnone" width="470"] Veronicastrum virginicum 'Lavender Towers'[/caption] Veronicastrum, or Culver’s root, is an outstanding summer bloomer, with tall, branching spikes of white-lavender flowers.  The name ‘Culver’s root’ refers to Dr. Culver, who prescribed the plant as a laxative, the roots in fact being a powerful…...

Horticulture Supervisor, Kyle Cheesborough Butterfly-weed, Asclepias tuberosa, is a very hardy, drought tolerant, Missouri native perennial with clustered orange blooms in late spring into mid-summer. [caption id="attachment_3075" align="alignleft" width="235"] Asclepias tuberosa[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3076" align="alignright" width="235"] Asclepias tuberosa[/caption] As the name suggests, this plant is irresistible to butterflies as a nectar…...

Horticulture Supervisor, Kyle Cheesborough [caption id="attachment_3056" align="alignleft" width="230"] Catalpa speciosa[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3053" align="alignright" width="230"] Catalpa speciosa[/caption] The northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is a large, deciduous tree native to Missouri.  The almost chartreuse-green, heart-shaped leaves give this tree a tropical feel and the flowers in late spring are a stunning addition. …...

Horticulture Supervisor, Kyle Cheesborough Irises of Wild Wood Valley [caption id="attachment_3032" align="alignleft" width="220"] Iris versicolor[/caption] Blue flag (Iris versicolor), is a wetland iris growing along shorelines or in a few inches of standing water.  The blue flag can cause dermatitis in susceptible individuals, so be sure to wear gloves when…...