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Choose these cool flowers for hot days
Instead of signaling an end to the garden’s visual appeal, hot summer weather simply sets the stage for heat-loving flowers to take over and truly shine. The right plant in the right place makes gardens burst with summer color.
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Wet or dry, plant turnips in July
Learn about Missouri's Turnip Day tradition, its historical roots, and tips for planting turnips in late July for a fall harvest.
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Tomatoes struggle in summer heat
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The scorching heat of a typical Missouri summer can be hard on our garden plants, including tomato, the most popular home garden vegetable in the U.S., said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Beat the burn: Planting trees and shrubs in July
Just because July has arrived, there is no need to stop planting trees and shrubs. Early spring and late fall are the traditional times for planting woody ornamentals. But the development of different methods of growing nursery stock and modern transplanting equipment means planting at other times is possible and may be quite desirable.
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Highway 13 Butterfly Trail connects Missouri communities
RICHMOND, Mo. – Missouri Highway 13 could soon become a living corridor of color, movement and ecological renewal with the Highway 13 Butterfly Trail, says Kathi Mecham, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in horticulture.
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A summer slice of heaven
July is National Watermelon Month.
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Keep July 4 cookouts sweet with fresh-picked corn
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Nothing says summer like biting into delectable, juicy sweet corn at a Fourth of July cookout. Whether boiled in a pot or charred over an open grill, savoring freshly picked sweet corn embodies the patriotic spirit of a midsummer celebration before fireworks light up the night sky.
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When the heat is on, these shrubs deliver
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Midwesterners are all too familiar with scorching summers. While midsummer doesn’t offer the vivid floral displays of spring shrubs, great options are available, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Gardeners willing to embrace a more subtle look can choose from several tough, drought-tolerant shrubs that continue to bloom beautifully despite the heat.
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Registration open for MU Extension Master Gardener class in Carthage
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Registration is open for the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener fall 2026 course in southwestern Missouri. The class runs Aug. 6 to Oct. 15. An informational session on July 2 will give an overview of the course. Registration deadline is Aug. 6.
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Daylily: Big color without the fuss
Daylilies combine stunning, long-lasting floral displays with rugged resilience, so it’s little wonder daylily is America’s most popular flowering perennial.
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Registration open for fall Extension Master Gardener online course
Registration is open for the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener fall 2026 online course. The 15-week class runs Aug. 23 to Dec. 24. The online core training is designed to provide in-depth horticultural knowledge. The course includes presentations and weekly discussion forums.
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Vines that shine: Screening views while adding beauty
Ornamental vining plants often are overlooked as a way to screen unpleasant views while adding beauty to a landscape, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Yucca: Overlooked star of early summer
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Those towering flower stalks covered with white, bell-shaped blossoms that appear in early June belong to yucca, a plant with a somewhat unfortunate name. Yuccas are resilient and striking additions to water-wise landscapes, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Beyond their tough exterior, they provide year-round evergreen texture and an abundance of flowers each spring that support local…
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Fragrant plants invite pollinators to your garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fragrance gardening is an easy way to enhance the enjoyment of gardens, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Our sense of smell has the power to evoke deep emotions, Trinklein said. Fragrance is an extension of a plant’s charm, transcending its physical space.
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Summer wildflowers bring color to roadsides and backyards
For many, the term “wildflower garden” conjures images of a delicate spring native to lightly shaded woodland sites or moist meadows. But there are may summer-blooming wildflowers native to dry, sunny hillsides, glades and other places with more austere growing conditions.
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Flowering plants are a meaningful Mother’s Day choice
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Giving outdoor flowering plants for Mother’s Day provides a lasting alternative to cut flowers, allowing the gift to bloom for seasons rather than days, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Living gifts such as perennials, shrubs or roses represent a growing relationship, often reflecting the effort and care a mother puts into her family.
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New toolkit helps community gardens take root
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Community gardens are thriving across Missouri by pairing shared land with shared purpose, but long-term success requires more than good intentions.
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Edible flowers: Beauty you can eat
For centuries, people around the world have used flowers for cooking, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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MU Extension salutes its volunteers
During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 20-26, we celebrate the people who help University of Missouri Extension carry out its mission. From mentoring young people to restoring landscapes and guiding local programs, MU Extension volunteers extend our reach and deepen our impact.
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Highway 13 Butterfly Trail: Bethany to Branson
The Highway 13 Butterfly Trail is an integrated ecological restoration and community revitalization initiative designed to enhance pollinator habitat, support rural economic development and strengthen connections between communities and their surrounding natural systems.
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Browning arborvitae may be result of lack of water
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialists are getting reports of browning arborvitae across the state. If your arborvitae is turning brown, it might be a sign of drought stress that began last fall, says Debi Kelly, University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist.
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How gardens help children thrive
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Of all the things growing in a garden, children are the most important. April is National Gardening Month and an ideal time to discuss the need to teach youngsters about what unfortunately is becoming a lost art, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “The benefits of encouraging a child to plant their own garden are numerous, long-lived and transformational,” said Trinklein.
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Old pots can hurt new plants
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardeners are well known for their thriftiness and commitment to protecting the environment. However, according to University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein, a false sense of economy can sometimes work against the health of the garden.
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Pollinator-friendly plants that are easy to grow, maintain
This spring, fill your garden with annuals that look great, work hard and roll out the welcome mat for pollinators, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Kathi Mecham. Many pollinator-friendly annuals are easy to grow in gardens or containers, readily available at garden centers and bloom nonstop until frost.
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Cultivating calm: Zen gardens bring peace home
While any chance to work with plants can boost one’s mood, Zen gardening is a garden style specifically designed to reduce stress and foster creativity.