Plant of the Week: native Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). This is a beautiful hummingbird plant that looks great as a single plant or mass planting. Deadhead to produce more blooms. Please be aware that if different varieties of Columbine are planted in the same space, they may cross pollinate and volunteers may not be true to originals.

Plan your garden with 2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more. This week: Transplant Basil, Eggplant, Melons, Peppers, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes; Direct Sow Basil, Beans, Cucumber, Melons, Okra, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: several St. Louis County Seed & Plant Swaps

St. Louis Master Gardeners Horticulture Answer Service: Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 2:30 pm

Find a Native Plant/Seed vendor in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas… (Grow Native)

Good Reads, Views, Listens —

June Gardening Tips, Tasks, Problems (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Gardeners often hear about supposed hacks and quick fixes. Here are some common ones debunked (Associated Press)

How to Make a Willow Obelisk (Mother Earth News)

Caring for Hellebores (University of Missouri Extension)

Prairie Pots Project (Wild Ones)

MU Extension recommends treating clothing to repel ticks. CDC reports increase in tick-related ER visits. (University of Missouri Extension)

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

Seed St. Louis Videos: Variety Trials, Virtual Classes, Starting Seeds Indoors, Orchard Tips, Gardening Tips & How To, In the Community Garden, Youth Garden Activities & Tips, Teachers in the Garden Tutorials.

Growing Vegetables Advice: Begin with a Plan, Seed Starting, Soil Management, Weed Management, Hardening Off Indoor Seedlings, Season Extension, Supporting Plants, Pest Management, Fertilizing Your Garden, Irrigation, Garden Tool Care, Container Gardens, more (University of Illinois Extension)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

Free Native Garden Designs @ Wild Ones. There’s one specific to St. Louis, one for Chicago, one for Denver, …

Native plant gardening in a pot. Missouri Botanical Garden has container designs for sun and shade.

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

Missouri Native Plant Top 10 Lists (Grow Native) Native Plants for Children, Poorly Drained Clay Soil, Sun, Shade, Half Sun & Half Shade, Under Utility Poles, Rain Gardens, Kitchen Gardens, Bees, Pollinators in Winter, Hummingbirds, Wildlife, Butterflies, More

2023 Plants of Merit – Annuals, Bulbs, Edibles, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Vines (Missouri Botanical Garden)

2023 Plants of Demerit – Bamboo, Big Leaf Hydrangea, Blueberry, Burning Bush, Chameleon Plant, Lavender, Pin Oak, Wintercreeper (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

July 15th Deadline to enter Wild Ones Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Connecting People & Native Plants, Native & Community Landscapes, Native Plants Year-Round, Fauna, Flora

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
June 2nd Forest Park Southeast. Register
June 20th St. Louis Place. Register
June 20th Benton Park West. Register
June 21st Shaw. Register

Now thru September 26th Missouri Botanical Gardens sculpture exhibit- Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Now thru December 31st Missouri Botanical Gardens photography exhibit- Gardenscapes: Patterns in Bloom. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Thru March 27, 2027, Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Sachs Museum– The Literary Garden: The Cultivation of Plants and Gardens in Narratives. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

—– DAILY —–

5 Seats remaining. 10:30 am Thursday, May 28th, Missouri Conservation Department class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Wild Edibles- Shoots and Stalks. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 11:30 am Thursday, May 28th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Service Day at Alton Cemetery & Lovejoy Monument, native planting and invasive plant removal. Register

2 pm Thursday, May 28th, Missouri Botanical Garden Conservancy Lecture with Thomas L. Woltz- A Feast of Edens: Nurturing the Bond Between People and Plants. $45 for Garden Conservancy and Missouri Botanical Garden members; $55 public. Wine Reception to follow. Tickets

5:30 pm Thursday, May 28th, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Nuisance Wildlife Control Trapping. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, May 29th, The Nature Institute Restoration Work Day in Godfrey, Illinois: Invasive Species Removal at Mississippi Sanctuary Preserve. Register

8 am to 4 pm Saturday, May 30th, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

8:15 am to Noon Saturday, May 30th, Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium. $10

10 am Saturday, May 30th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Spring Arboretum Trolley Tour with Horticulturist. $5 suggested donation. Register

9 Tickets remaining. 10 am Saturday, May 30th, Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

1 pm Saturday, May 30th, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Stream Team Volunteers Orientation & Onboarding. Register

For ages 18+. 22 Seats remaining. 6 pm Saturday, May 30th, Missouri Conservation Department event with craft project at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: Flowerpot Snakes- Who’s Slithering in Your Garden? Learn about backyard snakes and create a mini air-dry clay snake sculpture. Register

9 am Sunday, May 31st, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Bicycle Ride on the paved bike trails of Madison County, Illinois. Register

8:30 pm Sunday, May 31st, The Nature Institute Moonlight Hike on trails of the Mississippi Sanctuary and Olin Nature Preserve, Godfrey IL. Register

Volunteers Wanted: 9:30 am Tuesday, June 2nd, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Alton IL YWCA Pollinator Garden Work Day. Register

9 am June 3rd Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Wildwood Valley Garden Walk with Horticulturist. $5 suggested donation. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am June 3rd The Nature Institute Restoration Work Day in Godfrey, Illinois: Invasive Species Removal at Mississippi Sanctuary Preserve. Register

1 pm June 3rd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Dragonflies of Missouri. Register

4 pm June 3rd Grow Native! Webinar: Oak Ecology and Diversity in the Midwest. Register

9 am June 4th Heartlands Conservancy event in Edwardsville, Illinois: Cactus Blossom Walk at Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary. Register

Noon June 4th Deep Roots Kansas City Webinar: Native Garden Maintenance. Register

4 pm June 4th Missouri Botanical Garden Lecture in Biology- Citrus: A World History with Dr. David Mabberley. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

6 pm June 4th St. Louis County Public Library class at Prairie Commons Branch: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am June 5th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Service Day at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin. Register

6 Seats remaining. For ages 8+. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 9 am June 5th Missouri Conservation Department classes at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: BB Gun Program. Learn how to safely use a BB gun for target practice. Register.

9:30 am June 5th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Rock Quarry Trail Hike, Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood. Register

4 Seats remaining. For ages 8+. Children under 16 must be accomplanied by an adult. 11 am June 5th Missouri Conservation Department classes at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: BB Gun Program. Learn how to safely use a BB gun for target practice. Register.

June 6th-7th Lafayette Square Home & Garden Tour. Tickets $40

10 am to 1 pm June 6th Willoughby Farm Open House & Garden Tour in Collinsville, Illinois

June 6th-7th Hermann Garden Club Garden Tour, Hermann MO. Ticket $21.58

10 am June 8th St. Louis County Public Library class at Oak Bend Branch: Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

10 am June 8th St. Louis County Public Library class at Eureka Hills Branch: Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

15 Tickets remaining. 10 am June 9th Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

1:30 pm June 9th University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Moth Gardening: Amazing Pollinators of the Night. Register

6:30 pm June 9th Piasa Palisades Sierra Cub Speaker Series at Old Bakery Beer, Alton IL: National Rivers Month, presented by Perry Whitaker, former Missouri State Director for the American Canoe Association. Register

9 am June 10th Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center event at Education Center on Shaw: Unfolding Nature’s Calendar: Plants, Climate, and Phenology. Register

6 pm June 10th Missouri Coalition for Environment Session Wrap Up Webinar. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am June 11th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Edwardsville, Illinois: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

6 pm June 11th St. Louis County Public Library class at Mid-County Branch: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am June 12th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club O’Fallon Park Tree Watering. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am June 12th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois: Exploration Garden Volunteer Stewardship Day. Register

June 12th-13th Madison County IL Extension Education Foundation Garden Tour, private gardens in Glen Carbon. Tickets $15

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am June 13th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Bethalto, Illinois: Stream Cleanup at Steve Bryant Park. Register

10 am June 13th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club outing in Edwardsville, Illinois: Tenderloin Farms Tour, former hog and dairy farm now a lavender farm. Register

11 am June 13th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register.

1 pm June 13th St. Louis Public Library Plant & Seed Swap at Thornhill Branch, Fenton. Register

2 pm June 13th St. Louis Public Library Plant & Seed Swap at Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 17th Missouri Botanical Garden special event: The Freedom Seekers Project & Juneteenth Journey ZMD Collaboration. Garden Admission Fee.

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am June 18th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Edwardsville, Illinois: Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary Stewardship Day. Register

2 pm June 18th St. Louis County Public Library class at Rock Road Branch: Grapes and Kiwis- Trellises, Pruning and Care presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

5:30 am June 18th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Evening Hike at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin. Register

6 pm June 11th St. Louis County Public Library class at Prairie Commons Branch: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 20th Carnivorous Plant Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

10 am June 20th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing for People with Disabilities. Fishing poles and bait provided. Registration not required.

7 pm June 20th Stargazing at Tower Grove Park with St. Louis Astronomical Society

For ages 18+. 1 pm June 21st Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish with a Modern Cane Pole. Poles provided. Register

6 pm June 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Discover Missouri’s Butterflies. Register

7 pm June 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Stream Team Volunteers Orientation & Onboarding. Register

11 Tickets remaining. 9 am June 23rd Missouri Conservation Department class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Beginner Birding. Register

11 Tickets remaining. 10:30 am June 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Birding Hike on Rock Quarry Trail, Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood. Register

5:30-7:30 pm June 24th Missouri Coalition for Environment Chat for Change at Schlafly Tap Room. As of 5/26 there are ten elected officials participating. Register

30 Seats remaining. 2 pm June 25th Tower Grove Park class: Beneficial Bugs, presented by Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Register

4 pm June 25th St. Louis County Public Library class at Bridgeton Trails Branch:
Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, June 26th-27th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

12 Tickets remaining. 9 am June 26th Missouri Conservation Department Hike on Lime Kiln Loop Trail, Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 27th-28th St. Louis Water Garden Society’s Pond-O-Rama

9 am to 5 pm June 27th Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale

10 am June 27th Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

11:30 am – 4:30 pm June 27th Missouri Botanical Garden event at Sachs Museum- Literary Learning Day: Gardens & Grief in Victorian Literature. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

13 Seats remaining. 1 pm June 27th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Garden Party Strawberry & Basil Mocktails! Register

4 Seats remaining. 10:30 am June 30th Missouri Conservation Department class at Rockwoods Reservation: Wild Edibles- Nature’s Salad Greens. Register

6 pm June 30th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Turtles of Missouri. Register

6 pm June 30th Missouri Conservation Department class at Carpenter Library, St. Louis City: The Birds Are Back in Town for beginner birdwatchers. Registration not required.

11 am July 11th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens June 13th

20 Seats remaining. 1 pm July 11th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Tomato & Basil Health Clinic. Register

9 am to 4 pm July 18th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Funga Fair- A Mushroom Event Hosted by the Missouri Mycological Society. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

6 pm July 22 Wild Ones Webinar: How to Talk to Your Neighbors (and Your HOA) About Your Garden. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, July 24th-25th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

July 25th-26th Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Plant Sale at Jost Event Center, Overland

9 am to 5 pm August 1st-2nd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

11 am August 8th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens July 11th

12 Seats remaining. 1 pm August 8th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Garden Party Caprese Salad. Bring tomatoes & basil from your garden. Register

Noon to 5 pm August 9th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Fee applies.

9 am August 15th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale at Carriage House

9 am to 5 pm August 15th Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, August 21st-22nd, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

September 5th Garden Club of Edwardsville, Illinois Plant Sale.

9 am to 5 pm September 12th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

September 12th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at The Nature Institute, Godfrey, Illinois

11 am September 12th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens August 15th

September 24th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Roeslein & Associates, St. Louis County

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, September 25th-26th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

11 am October 10th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens September 12th

9 am October 17th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale at Carriage House

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, October 23rd-24th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

11 am November 14th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens October 17th

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, November 27th-28th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, December 11th-12th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

11 am December 12th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens October 17th