Using native plants is one of the best ways to support wildlife and ecosystem health. That's why we have a select variety of plants for sale on site.

Beginning this year at our Annual Wildflower Celebration on April 28th, we will have a limited variety of high-quality native plants available for purchase on site. Plants come in a 4.5-inch pot and cost $6 each. The plants will also be available to visitors and students on any day the gardens are open, while supplies last. Using native plants is one of the best ways to support wildlife and ecosystem health. We hope that you will use this plant to add beauty and ecological value to a place that is meaningful in your life.

These plants will be sold where tickets are, including at the front desk in the Main House and at the ticket tent in the guest parking lot. There will be limit of one tray per person. Guests may also purchase plants without visiting the gardens or paying admission. Season Passholders will receive one plant when they purchase a Season Pass. Three varieties of plants will be available in the spring and three more in the fall.

We are offering these plants in response to guest requests, and because our Master Plan-guided upgrades to our greenhouse complex have reduced our capacity to grow our giveaway plants of past years.

Your choices matter. We can steward the earth and effect positive change through the choices we make at home and in our communities, beginning with our yards, containers, and balconies. Congratulations on adding native plants to your landcape! Find out more about each plant and its growing conditions at the links below. Still have questions? Email info@mtcubacenter.org for more information about our plants and their care.

Northern barren strawberry is a carefree, semi-evergreen groundcover with strawberry-like dark green foliage and delightful yellow flowers in early to mid-spring. It grows 3-6” tall, tolerates partial to light shade and a wide variety of soil types as long as they are well-drained. Geum fragarioides spreads slowly by rhizomes to make an excellent non-aggressive groundcover. Despite its delicate appearance, this plant is tough and has foliage that remains clean and attractive throughout the growing season. Northern barren strawberry makes a nice companion for Neviusia alabamensis, Rhododendron periclymenoides, Viburnum acerifolium, Eurybia divaricata, Uvularia grandiflora, Geranium maculatum and Carex digitalis. Read more on our Native Plant Finder.

Eutrochium dubium is a little-known dwarf species of Joe-Pye weed, native in moist soils from Maine south to South Carolina. In appearance, Eutrochium dubium is similar to Eutrochium purpureum, but is more tolerant of light shade. Eutrochium dubium ‘Little Joe’ was discovered by Steve Lighty at the Conard-Pyle Nursery in Pennsylvania. The 4′ tall stems are clothed with whorls of green leaves and topped in midsummer with dome-shaped heads of lavender flowers…a real bonanza for keeping butterflies at eye level. As with most Joe-Pye weeds, moist soil is best. More growing information and requirements at Plant Delights Nursery’s website.

Tiarella cordifolia, commonly called foamflower, is clump-forming perennial which spreads rapidly by runners (stolons) to form dense, 1-2′ wide clumps of foliage. Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Prefers humusy, organically rich, moisture-retentive soils. Soil should not be allowed to dry out. Plant in shaded rock gardens, woodland gardens, border fronts, wild gardens, naturalistic plantings or moist areas along stream banks. Can be massed to form an attractive ground cover. More info from Missouri Botanic Garden’s Plant Finder.