While experimenting with new and exotic plants can be fun, it can also be very time consuming and expensive. If you’re looking to fill your Missouri yard with native plants that are sure to flourish, we’ve got some great ideas for you. By sticking to plants that have been growing in shady wooded Missouri yards for years, you’ll save money on supplies such as fertilizer and water and also save yourself quite a bit of work.

Below, we've listed a few of the plants that we commonly use in our the yards of our lawncare and landscaping clients. These plants suit the natural environment, have beautiful periods of flowering and fruiting, and can be lower maintenance than other options. If you're preparing to work with Hackmann Lawn for your landscaping needs in the St. Louis & St. Charles County region, take a look at some of the options you may want to choose for your shady wooded backyard.

American Beautyberry

The American Beautyberry is an excellent choice if you’re looking to add some color to your shaded yard. In the summer, the plant will bloom pretty pink flowers. In the fall, you will be able to enjoy the changing of the leaves, which will turn a light yellow, but you’ll also get the added bonus of purple berries. The berries add a lovely splash of color and also attract robins and bluebirds, so this is a great plant for bird lovers!

Eastern Redbud

If you want a lot of color from a single plant, the Eastern Redbud is a nice option. The Eastern Redbud tree can grow as high as 20-30 feet and spread out just as wide. All throughout spring, the tree’s reddish-purple buds will bloom into light pink flowers. This tree thrives in the sun, but will also tolerate shady yards.

Rose Turtlehead

This colorful plant can grow as high as 24-36 inches. In the late summer to early fall the Rose Turtlehead plant blooms spikes of rosy-purple flowers and has deep green foliage. These plants do best in moist soil and can grow in full sun or partial shade.

Post Oak

A post oak tree is perfect for homeowners who are looking for a plant that will grow more beautiful with age. This tree can grow as high as 30-50 feet with leaves as long as 6-10 inches. The tree will need full sun to thrive, but once it has had a chance to grow, you’ll be treated to quite a bit of shade from its wide branches and long leaves. Throughout spring and summer the leaves will have a healthy green color and during the fall you’ll have a tapestry of oranges, reds, and yellows to enjoy.

Woodland Spiderwort

This plant’s blooming schedule is as interesting as its name. The purple and blue flowers bloom throughout the months of April and May, but each flower only lasts one day. Every morning you’ll wake up to a new arrangement! The woodland spiderwort thrives in full shade, so you won’t have to worry about positioning it in the sunlight. If you have any rock gardens, moist areas near streams or ponds, or want to add a bit of color as a border to walkways or trees, the woodland spiderwort works very well during its short blooming period.

Cardinal Flower

The cardinal flower is another excellent option for bird lovers, though it does not attract its namesake! This tall flower is named for the color of the cardinal, but actually attracts hummingbirds. You can plant the cardinal flower in shady areas and rain gardens, as it does very well in moist soil.

All of these plants are well-adjusted to Missouri weather, soil, and conditions. If you have a partially shaded yard, these plants will all work very well if properly cared for.

Are you looking for a Missouri landscaping company to help you design a backyard with native plants that is beautiful, good for your natural environment, and easy to care for? We'd love to be your choice. Contact us for additional information online or by phone at (636) 688-6647.

Landscaping for Shady Wooded Missouri Yards