Native Plants
National Organizations Directory
As a service to the public, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center collects information on native plant societies, conservation groups, governmental agencies, botanical gardens, arboreta, and other plant-related organizations throughout North America. Click here to add your organization to the directory. Affiliates are organizations that partner with the Wildflower Center to encourage the preservation and use of native plants in different regions of the country.
Prairie Garden Trust
Address: 8945 County Road 431
New Bloomfield, MO 65063
Region: Midwest
Phone: 573-295-6147
Web: www.prairiegardentrust.org
Organization Scope: State/Regional
Organization Type: Nature Center
Services this organization provides
- Work on restoration projects
- Wildflower or native habitat display on property
- Membership program
- Offer public programs, trips, seminars, etc.
- Propagate native plants
Native Plant Focus: We focus on restoratation species native to Missouri. We have a wide range of habitats: prairie, forest, glade, creeks, swamp and savanah.
Description: In 1971 Herb and Joan Domke moved to the land which now forms the basis of the 180-acre Prairie Garden Trust in central Missouri. As their interest in gardening expanded into an appreciation of the natural landscape, they began to focus on enhancing what was there and adding more native plants. White oak woods were thinned and managed for long-term growth and visual appeal. Meandering paths drew attention to the abundant spring wildflowers such as trout lily, Dutchman's breeches, rue anenome and bird's foot violet. They dug ponds of varying depths. Lotus, water lilies, pickerel weed, arrowhead and southern blue flag were given homes in the mucky bottoms and damp edges, which in turn attracted more variety of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. In spite of all these changes, one habitat remained out of character. Old fescue fields stood as poor reminders of the native prairies that once enriched a third of Missouri. So in 1986, they began the long effort of converting fescue to a diverse mix of native grasses and flowers. Although Herb passed away in 1991, the board created to manage this irrevocable trust continues the effort. The primary efforts to date have focused on developing the habitats (converting fescue to native plantings, creating more savannah-like borders between the fields and the woods, etc.). Vision of the PGT In 1995 the board created a vision for what we'd like the PGT to be twenty-five years or so in the future: The Prairie Garden Trust will provide a relaxed setting in which people can learn about the natural environment and themselves. It will be a retreat into nature and all its beauty. To do this, the Trust will develop and host a variety of learning sessions for scheduled groups and individuals in its "Landscapes for Learning." At this time, we're still working on enhancing these landscapes with more native plantings. In the future, though, we hope to create the learning programs to meet that long-term vision. Are Visitors Welcome? Garden clubs, teachers, college art and science classes have all visited the PGT. Individuals interested in the ongoing development have also strolled around. There are no facilities open to the public, but we do try to keep paths mowed through the fields and forests and around the various ponds. You can follow the self-guided walk highlighted on this website. If you are interested in a visit, please email us at: [email protected]
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