Native Berry Plants of Missouri

Wherever you live, native plants make a good choice for any sized landscape. Plan a garden that captures visual interest year-round with hardy plants accustomed to Missouri's climate. Native plants have adjusted to the state's rainfall, temperature and soil and can withstand adverse weather conditions. Spend less time weeding the garden and more time enjoying it, according to Missouri Environment and Garden. Native plants supplied food, clothing and shelter for early settlers in the state. Missouri's native berry plants provided juices used to dye clothing.

The hawthorn flower represents Missouri as its state flower. Hawthorns' many varieties include the downy hawthorn. The downy grows tall and produces white blossoms and showy red berries. Missouri residents have cultivated the cockspur hawthorn and used as an ornamental tree and in hedges since colonial days. Its deep red berries linger into the winter. Both hawthorns have thorns up to 2 inches long.

Black raspberry, blackberry and dewberry grow relatively care free and produce a wealth of summer berries. Keep them close at hand in your garden and gather a bowl of berries to top your ice cream or to bake in a pie. As ornamental bushes or as a summer crop, these berry bushes make a great addition to your landscape.

The western soapberry is a small tree that gets its name from its use as a substitute for soap. According to Grow Native, the soapberry does not enjoy widespread fame. Its showy white flowers bloom into a berry reminiscent of a yellow, translucent grape. The fruit is poisonous but the berries last well into winter to provide visual interest to your snow-covered landscape.

Like its name suggests, the flameleaf sumac bursts into a rich red color in the fall. Give this shrub plenty of room to claim some of your landscape and grow into a small thicket. According to the Wildflower Center, the berries make a tart but flavorful tea that is rich in vitamin C.

The winterberry holly is a native shrub that grows wild in Missouri wetlands. Its dark green foliage turns yellow before the leaves fall. White flowers produce small red berries to present a showy display into early winter. You can use this plant for holiday displays and arrangements.