Destination Gardens: Missouri Wildflowers Nursery

Situated just off hwy 54 outside Jefferson City, Missouri, the Missouri Wildflowers Nursery is a natural magnet for the flower garden enthusiast, but it's so much more than that!  The nursery sells native Missouri perennials, both seeds & plants. All plants are nursery propagated. Missouri is the genetic origin, so they are best adapted to states east of the Rockies. (Last two sentences paraphrased from their website, www.mowildflowers.net )

I went there recently (Spring 2013) What a trip!  Being in Mid-May, their new office just looked like a little enchanted cottage in the forest. Actually the nursery IS sort of located in the forest!  You'll see what I mean. Let's get into the pictures, shalll we?

This is the path that leads to the office building as you come out of the nursery/woods. Isn't it lovely?

 Just a few sights of everything blooming!

Here are a few views around the nursery. Even the wildlife like it (see the turtles.) :)

I was so impressed! I had ordered a few plants from there last fall. I think all but one lived, and on this day, I bought 21 more plants including some butterfly plants shown in the first collage.

**Note: You can see a complete slideshow of full-sized images by clicking here:

I recommend a stop to anyone, whether you are looking to enhance your outdoor space for your butterflies, hummingbirds, or other wildlife, or if you just want an enjoyable stop to learn something new and see something beautiful on your way somewhere else!  It is conveniently located, although I will say when I first turned off I wasn't sure, it seems a world away from anything there in the gorgeous wooded setting.

Have a great day, wherever you garden. ~JB was here.

Destination Garden: Springfield, MO Botanical Center/Nathaniel Greene Park

I went to the Botanical Gardens in Springfield, Missouri yesterday. I attended the Butterfly Festival. It is an event focused around of course, butterflies. They have a small “Butterfly House” on the grounds and were conducting tours. There was a long waiting line and it was 100 plus degrees so I didn't actually get to go in. Another time for that, I hope. But they had a silent auction inside the Center, live music, and many vendors, and lots of activities for Butterfly lovers of all ages. I was happy that 1) I got to go and 2) that Springfield has such a wonderful Botanical Garden now.

Here is a view of the path that leads around to the Butterfly House. They have a number of “Feature Gardens” and “Themed Gardens” that grace the grounds here. The gardens, despite the withering heat, looked wonderful.

One of the themed gardens was centered around the kitchen and edible plantings. It was as beautiful as it was practical and, well, edible. It is a Master Gardener's Demonstration Garden.

There was a lily garden. Lilies of every height, color, and variety. These were in bloom.

And an Iris Garden! These of course, had long since bloomed, so there were other plantings to highlight the area. These are just a couple of the dozens of different area designations and features there are there. I was very impressed.

These are a type of sunflower. I think they are called “Teddy Bear”. At the very lease they are that type….I always thought they were sort of odd and never did plant any. However, I found their effect in a mass planting to be attractive and inspirational! Is it a sign that I'm obsessed that I'm already thinking about next year?

Just one more of the absolutely wonderful plantings. Someday I want to go back with my “fancy camera” and take some more. I am so glad this is now in Springfield. What a wonderful thing. Have a great week! ~JB was here.

Destination Garden: Wildcat Glade, Joplin, Missouri

I went by the Wildcat Glade-Audubon Conservation Center recently. Located just off I-44, the Center and Wildcat Park are located on the largest remaining intact Chert Glade in the World. All the wildflowers were in bloom, and it was really beautiful. There was a lot of active wildlife too. Interestingly, it was a year almost exactly to the date since the large devastating F5 Joplin tornado.

Following is a slideshow-expand the view on your monitor and enjoy. :)

Destination Garden: Wickman's, Springfield, MO

Well, it's not exactly a garden.....it's a greenhouse. An icon in the area. The Southwest Missouri Camera Club, which I recently joined, had a field trip to Wickman's Garden village in Springfield, Missouri. A great afternoon in a beautiful place. Throw the slideshow up to full size. Dream of spring and summer. :)

Destination Garden-Muskogee's Honor Heights

Another beauty that I got to see on my travels three years ago next spring.