Missouri Native Plants

Find the best selection of native tree species for the State of Missouri here at Nature Hills Nursery and support flora and fauna!

Choosing indigenous trees for your State means you will know your tree will thrive where it is well suited to climate and soil because they originated there! They need less water once established. Native selections establish faster and tolerate the changing climate, weather, and anything else your State may have to offer.

Plus you’ll feed pollinators pollen and nectar, seeds for songbirds, and provide shelter, food, and forage for a wide variety of wildlife like the lovely Eastern Bluebird, which is the Missouri state bird.

Best Missouri Native Trees

The Show Me State can have a varied range of habitats from rolling hills and slopes to grasslands and spanned agriculture. Ranging from USDA growing zone 5 to 6, with the southeastern corner of the state dipping into zone 7. Missouri can have broad fluctuating temperatures throughout the year.

Find your Hardiness Zone, and then choose any tree that has a range that includes yours! Check with your local County Extension Office for more information if needed and for the many microclimates within these zones.

Best Native Evergreen Trees For Missouri

Conifers and broadleaf evergreens keep their leaves year-round for privacy, slow down the wind and drifting snow, and add winter interest.

American Holly Trees
Bald Cypress Tree (deciduous conifer)
Eastern Red Cedar Tree (Redcedar)
Eastern Hemlock
Eastern White Pine
Loblolly Pine
Possomhaw Holly
Red Pine

Native Flowering Trees to Grow in Missouri

The Flowering Dogwood is the Missouri State tree! Other flowering ornamentals that are native to the state feed pollinators and hummingbirds nectar and pollen they evolved alongside in your State! Many of these trees are host plants for native pollinator larvae too!

American Basswood/Linden Trees
Cucumber Tree Magnolia
Black Locust Tree
Carolina Silverbell Tree
Dogwood - Pagoda, White, Pink & Red Flowering, Gray, Roughleaf, Silky, & Swamp
Eastern Redbud Tree
Pussy Willow Tree
Native Smoketree
Tulip Poplar/Tulip Tree
White Fringetree (Fringe Tree) & Grancy Greybeard Tree
Witch Hazel (American Witchhazel)

What Are Native Shade Trees in Missouri?

Missouri can have some warm summers and lots of wind, so you need a good shade tree that handles wind and gives your backyard lush relief from the sun.

American Beech Tree
American Chestnut
American Elm Tree
American Hornbeam
American Hop Hornbeam
American Sycamore
River Birch Trees
Black Gum Tree
Black Willow
Box Elder Tree (Boxelder)
Buckeye Trees - Ohio & Red
Cottonwood/Eastern Cottonwood Tree
Hackberry/Common Hackberry Trees & Sugarberry Tree
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Maple Trees - Black, Silver, Red, & Sugar
Northern Catalpa Tree
Oak Trees - Black, Blackjack, Bur, Cherrybark, Chinquapin, Northern Red, Nuttall, Overcup, Pin, Scarlet, Shingle, Shumard's, Swamp Chestnut, Swamp White, Water, White & Willow Oak Trees
Quaking Aspen
Sassafras Tree
Sweetgum (Sweet Gum) Trees
Washington Hawthorn Tree
Yellowwood Tree

Native Fruit & Nut Trees in Missouri

Make your landscape work for you and create a food sustainability paradise in your own backyard. We love edible landscaping trees that look great and feed you and your local wildlife.

American Plum/Wild Plum Tree & Chickasaw Plum
Black Cherry Tree
Black Walnut Tree
Hazelnut/Native American Filbert
Bitternut, Black, Butternut, Pignut, Red, Shellbark & Shagbark Hickory Trees
Paw Paw (Pawpaw) Trees
American Persimmon
Hardy Pecan Trees
Red Mulberry Tree
Downy Serviceberry

Much Needed Natives!

Help keep your State's native biodiversity intact by planting trees native to your area! Nature Hills is committed to helping you preserve your State’s unique beauty with plants and trees that are sure to do well in your garden without impacting your native landscape!

Native shade, flowers, and food, you’ll find just what you need, and rest assured it will thrive in your region. Nature Hills is here to help you find the perfect tree for your Missouri landscape!

FAQ's for Buying Missouri Native Plants Online

What Are the Best Native Trees to Grow in Missouri?

Missouri’s wide variety of habitats, from rolling hills to riverbanks, makes it the perfect place to grow native trees like Eastern Redbud, Bur Oak, and Flowering Dogwood, the official state tree. These trees are well adapted to the state’s USDA zones 5 to 7 and thrive in local soils, supporting native wildlife such as the Eastern Bluebird by providing food, shelter, and nesting space.

Why Should I Choose Native Trees for My Missouri Landscape?

Native trees are the natural fit for Missouri’s variable climate. They establish quickly, require less watering once established, and handle extreme conditions like hot summers and sudden storms. Trees like American Basswood, Eastern Red Cedar, and Pawpaw evolved alongside Missouri’s wildlife and offer critical resources for pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.

Which Evergreen Trees Are Native to Missouri and Stay Green Year-Round?

Evergreen trees like Eastern Red Cedar, Bald Cypress, and American Holly provide year-round privacy, wind protection, and winter interest. These conifers and broadleaf evergreens stand up to Missouri’s snowy winters while giving shelter to birds and small animals throughout the colder months.

What Are the Best Native Shade Trees for Missouri Gardens?

Missouri summers can be hot and humid, making native shade trees essential. Look for resilient trees like Northern Red Oak, Cottonwood, and American Sycamore that not only cool your yard but also support local ecosystems. These trees offer fall color, habitat benefits, and strong root systems that help stabilize soil and reduce runoff.

Can I Grow Fruit or Nut Trees Native to Missouri?

Yes, Missouri is rich in native fruit and nut tree options. Edible landscaping trees like American Persimmon, Black Walnut, and Wild Plum provide delicious harvests while feeding songbirds and local wildlife. Trees like Pawpaw, Hazelnut, and Serviceberry do double duty as ornamental and functional additions to your landscape.

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