Local gardeners and landscapers can learn how to convert lawns to native plants and find the best species to attract pollinators at two upcoming events sponsored by Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) and its partners.
A Monarch Mania plant sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 17 at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery will provide plants that attract monarchs and other wildlife. A large selection will be available, including: New England aster, buttonbush, purple coneflower, several species of milkweed, including marsh milkweed. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to MPF to help conserve pollinator habitat on its native prairies.
A Grow Native! Workshop on Converting non-native landscapes to prairie grasses and wildflowers will be hosted by Powell Gardens from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, September 23. Topics include the history of native grasslands in the Kansas City area, eliminating non-native vegetation, seeding mixes and rates, planting maintenance, aesthetic and ecological considerations of plantings, and a tour of prairie remnants and plantings at Powell Gardens.
Speakers include Alan Branhagan, director of horticulture at Powell Gardens; Quinn Long, ecologist with the Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development at the Missouri Botanical Garden; Mike Leahy, natural areas coordinator for the Missouri Department of Conservation; Matt Bunch, horticulturist for the Giving Grove; and Andy Carmack, a private land conservationist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The workshop costs $40 for MPF members and $50 for non-members. ECUs are available for landscape architects. Register by September 19 at Grow Native!
Powell Gardens is located at 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO.