Buy native plants at MDC Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center Sept. 12

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Native plants not only beautify gardens and landscapes, but they also help support songbirds, pollinators, and other cherished Missouri wildlife. 

The public can buy a variety of native plants at the annual native plant sale at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City on Saturday, Sept. 12., from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. MDC is hosting the sale in partnership with the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) and its Grow Native! program. 

Gardeners and others can browse a variety of native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, vines, shrubs, trees and other native plant products supplied by Grow Native! members including Roots Nursery, Gaylena’s Garden, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, Ozark Soul, Sow Wild Natives, and Tallgrass Nursery. Leaf & Sky will be offering native-plant-inspired home goods, native bee houses, and related products. 

Some vendors will accept cash, check, or credit cards and some only cash or checks. Shoppers can begin picking up pre-orders, perusing wares, and making purchases from each vendor at 10 a.m. Volunteers will be available to assist customers. 

“The Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center uses native plants and trees in its landscape to showcase the value of incorporating natives into various settings,” said Steve Jacobsen, Assistant Nature Center Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at the Discovery Center. “Native plants and trees also provide quality habitat for wildlife.” 

The following vendors are accepting pre-orders. Include a phone number and note that the order is for the Discovery Center native plant sale on Sept. 12.

• City Roots Nursery -- Order via website at cityrootsnursery.com/ until midnight on Sept. 10.
• Gaylena's Garden -- Email gaylenasgarden@gmail.com for plant availability information and to place pre-orders by Sept. 10. 
• Missouri Wildflowers Nursery -- Order by calling 573-496-3492, by email at mowldflrs@socket.net, or online at mowildflowers.net/ for a plant list. Orders must be placed by midnight on Sept. 8.
• Ozark Soul Native Plants -- Order online at preorder.ozarksoul.com or by phone at 816-809-4062. Visit ozarksoul.com/availability for current availability. Pre-order by Sept. 9 at 5 p.m.
• Sow Wild Natives – Visit sowwildnatives.com/products for a plant list. Order by emailing tracy@sowwildnatives.com the species and quantities. Pre-order by Sept. 9.
• Tallgrass Nursery -- Visit tallgrassnursery.com/ and then email tallgrassnursery@gmail.com or call or text 913-302-8117 for plant availability. 

Learn more about the native plant sale and other MPF offerings at moprairie.org/ and grownative.org/.

The Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center is located at 4750 Troost Ave. in Kansas City. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/anita-b-gorman-conservation-discovery-center.

MDC is committed to accessibility at all its nature centers, regional facilities, and conservation areas. To request an ADA accommodation for participation in MDC programs, visit mdc.mo.gov/accessibility.