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Highlights of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden Jan – Spring Pool
Below the wildflower garden glade visitors will discover an almost secret garden that includes a pool of water. At the spring pool on warm days, water flows from under one moss-covered stone and over others, inviting all sorts of birds and small mammals a place to drink before the water falls into the main pool. Moisture –loving plants such as cardinal flower, several sedges and pickerel weed thrive along the edges of the water. Under the shade of the surrounding trees is a large colony of ostrich fern which retain their chocolate-colored spore fronds all winter. Other moist shade species such as squaw weed and Jacob's ladder grow here and there, wonderful compliments to the ferns. A mature clump of royal fern grows three to four feet tall at the base of a large stone where water overflows into the damp soil of a small sedge meadow. Native water lilies and hardy canna sit dormant in the water, waiting for the warm days of spring before both they and the spring peepers begin to celebrate a new season.
February – Wetland
The terrain of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden gently slopes down past the lower woodland towards Brush Creek. Wetlands form naturally in these areas making this area a perfect choice for this small constructed wetland. There is a permanent pool that is surrounded by a diversity of wetland plants including sedges, rushes, rose mallow, swamp milkweed and pickerelweed . In warm months, one can sit on the bench there and observe the hundreds of dragonflies that dart about above the turtles sunning on logs and large, hungry frogs. Herons occasionally visit to see if their patience will yield a tasty fish or amphibian. Wetlands provide a unique blend of habitats for not only plants but also for many birds, overwintering aquatic insects and small fish. Mammals also come for seeds roots and a welcome drink. Once in a while on a balmy afternoon in late February one might hear the beginning songs of spring frogs and the calls of the hawks circling overhead.
April - Lower Woodland
Winter becomes a fast-fading memory as spring approaches - April in Missouri's woodlands is one of the most exhilarating times of the natural year. This month in the Lower Woodland begins subtly as plants emerge from late winter snows. Understory trees such as spice bush (Lindera benzoin), serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) and redbud (Cercis Canadensis) bloom now, creating a mid-level haze of yellow, white and pink flowers. As the warm spring sun warms the soil, white spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), dutchmen's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)and rue anemone (Isopyrum biternatum) burst into bloom. Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans) add color to the scene. These are a visual appetizer to the abundant spring flowers. Trillium, celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) and wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) bloom next amongst woodland sedges (Carex)and unfurling fern fronds. Hummingbirds return in time to forage on red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) and buckeye (Aesculus pavia) while butterflies and other pollinating insects can be seen visiting the profusion of other flowers. Interconnected paths invite visitors to explore the gentle slope and rest on one of the many benches and listen to birds. One path leads to a rustic gazebo surrounded by new plantings of wild ginger (Asarum canadense), sedges (Carex), woodland stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) and ferns intermingled with older groupings of wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) and squaw weed (Senecio aureus). Spring blooming native plants (doc)
May– Sandy Savanna
May – Sedge Meadow
Immediately below the Spring Pool garden, in an opening of the woodland, is an area of consistently wet soil. The sedge meadow is planted to emulate natural wetland areas such as wet prairies, spring areas, and river flood plains. The lush growth of various wetland sedges (Carex sp.) forms the foundation of this habitat. Amongst the sedges are blue flag iris (Iris virginica) and copper iris (Iris fulva) that show off their delicate flowers in early summer. As the season progresses a diverse array of flowering plants continues to provide highlights. Summer-blooming queen of the prairie (Filipendula rubra), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and meadow phlox (Phlox maculata) stand tall, then fade to allow the fall-blooming plants such as rose mallow (Hibiscus lasiocarpus) , turtlehead (Chelone obliqua ) and moist loving asters (Aster puniceus and A. novae-angliae) to provide the season finale.
Glades are common in the Ozarks, occurring on south to southwest facing slopes. A thin layer of soil over shallow bedrock creates a harsh, almost desert-like, environment that is typically maintained with occasional controlled burns. The glade in the garden has a gently curving path that allows visitors to view the many beautiful and showy plants that thrive in this challenging and complex habitat. Here and there between exposed bedrock are colonies of spring blooming Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea) and blue false indigo (Baptisia australis). Occasional clumps of rose verbena (Glandularia canadensis) and tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) spill out into the pathway. Pale purple coneflowers stand above grasses such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and side oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula). Butterflies and other insects are never at a loss for nectar and pollen because of the amazing abundance of flowering plants in the glade.
July – Home Landscape Demonstration Garden
A paved walkway leads from the Bascom House to the Home Demonstration Garden area within the Whitmire Wildflower Garden. A flagstone patio with a large shelter invites visitors to sit and enjoy the view of the small pond. Relaxing here offers glimpses of birds that come to bathe in the shallow waterfall and dragonflies that rest on the tall soft rush (Juncus effuses). The demonstration buffalo grass lawn illustrates how homeowners can add a sustainable landscape feature by eliminating mowing and irrigation. Surrounding the shelter are plantings of Missouri native plants designed in a more conventional style, offering ideas for easy-to-grow, low-maintenance native landscapes. July brings a wide variety of flowers such as purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), butterfly milkweed (Asclepia tuberosa) and wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa). Clumps of tall phlox (Phlox paniculata) beckon hummingbirds and butterflies alike. A walk along the edge of the stone wall below the shelter reveals the long stems of purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) that drape over and bloom a rich magenta.
July - Upper Woodland The widely-spaced mature oaks of the upper woodland create a light, open shade that is reminiscent of the original savannahs of this region. The soil is dry, characteristic of upper, ridgetop woodlands. Underneath the, Beneath the high canopy of the trees, tall pink phlox (Phlox paniculata) lazily sways in the gentle summer breezes. The scene is punctuated in blue everywhere by tall spires of larkspur (Delphinium exaltatum), clusters of skullcap (Scuttelaria incana) and bellflower (Campanula americana). The last of the white candles of cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) in early July give way to familiar pink of coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea). Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis) offers a pleasant foliar contrast to the asters and goldenrods (Solidago) that will soon be in their fall glory.
August - Rain Garden
The slope below the patio of the Carriage House classroom features the Rain Garden. It was constructed to demonstrate a native plant landscaping solution for storm water runoff to visitors and students. Rainwater from the roof and surrounding lawn flows into the garden and is temporarily captured in the basin long enough to be absorbed by both soil and plants. Wetland plants are showcased here, functioning to slow down and filter storm water. Featured are many showy, summer-blooming wetland plants including blue pickerel weed (Pontaderia cordata), red cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) and large, soft pink flowers of native Hibiscus. The grass-like foliage of sedges (Carex sp.), reeds (Scirpus sp.) and rushes (Juncus sp.) form the foundation and unify the whole garden. This diversity of plants, a viable alternative to lawn, concrete and other impermeable surfaces, provides habitat for a multitude of animals. Birds come to eat insects and retrieve seeds, dragonflies and butterflies dart about, frogs and toads serenade in the evenings.
September - Tallgrass Prairie
There are over 20 acres of reconstructed tallgrass prairie surrounding the Whitmire Wildflower Garden. It is glorious at this time of year, bursting with color and life as the end of the growing season nears. Tallgrass prairie was once a common feature in Missouri existing throughout the state. In the Wildflower Garden, trails meander through acres of blooming Indian grass, big and little bluestem, gama grass and switch grass. In addition, tall yellow sunflowers and goldenrods rise above the grasses while fall-blooming asters impart pink, blue and purple to the scene. Much more color and animation is provided by numerous bird and butterfly species searching for seeds and nectar before the winter months set in. The prairie is managed with periodical late winter burns alternated with mowing.
October – Upper woodland The upper woodland garden bursts into color once again in the fall, rivaled only by the initial burst of spring color. The century oaks are widely spaced, thus creating a light shade much like the original savannas of this region. Beneath them are ten or more different species of blooming woodland goldenrods and asters. The rich golds blend with the sky blue to white of the asters, filling up the woodland floor with a solid carpet of color. Various species of oaks begin to drop their ripe acorns, a much sought after source of food for many animals, especially squirrels and deer. The red berries of the flowering dogwood and spicebush as well as the black berries of the serviceberry beckon to migrating birds. Those berries left behind will provide a meal for over wintering bird species. Color also makes an appearance as the leaves turn from green to yellow, rust, orange and red, with each tree species having its own distinctive color.
November – Persimmon Grove
A collection of persimmon trees (Diospyros virginiana) grows at the northern end of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden prairie in the persimmon grove. In fall, the leaves begin turning a yellow-orange color as the plump, ripening fruit turns to an apricot color. The unripe fruit is quite astringent but typically ripens after the first frost, becoming very sweet. It is a favorite among animals such as raccoons, fox and deer. A distinctive feature of the persimmon is its unique bark pattern that consists of large, square to rectangular blocks. Beneath the trees is a colony of ostrich fern (Matteuchia struthiopteris) with large, three foot tall feathery fronds. At this time of year the fronds have begun to die back and the central spore fronds become a prominent feature. This structure turns chocolate brown and persists through the winter.
December – Prairie
What seems to be a quiet time in the prairie is not that at all. The prairie is full of seeds that mammals and flocks of birds alike scramble to collect and eat. The big and little bluestem, Indian grass and others have turned to a light tawny brown color that shines red-orange in the winter sun. Much of their seed still hangs on the stems, bent now more from the weight of finches and other birds than from the weight of the fast disappearing seed. The interesting seed head structures of coneflowers, sunflowers and blazinstars offer the last lingering seeds to the large flocks juncos, finches and sparrows. Many seeds that are accidentally dropped by birds become a welcome meal for the mice that are waiting below. Hawks circle overhead, ever watchful for the occasional careless rodent that will become their next meal. The thick growth of the prairie becomes an even more important source of protective cover for wildlife as the winter months set in. The prairie management schedule takes this into account and burning or mowing is only done in late winter. |
