Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Site Honored with Native Garden Recognition
MANSFIELD, Mo. – The native plant garden at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum has been honored as a Native Garden of Excellence by the Grow Native! program. This expansive garden, covering over 4,500 square feet, was established in 2016 with support from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), which contributed about half the costs.
Susan Essman, a former board member of the museum, expressed pride in the garden’s impact, stating it reflects the prairies once traversed by Wilder and attracts vital pollinators like monarch butterflies. With approximately 2,000 native plants, the garden not only beautifies the site but also enhances biodiversity.
On June 21, Essman and MDC Community Conservation Planner Ronda Burnett led a garden tour, highlighting the history, design, and upkeep of the native plantings. The garden serves as a tribute to Wilder’s deep appreciation for nature, as depicted in her renowned "Little House on the Prairie" series.
The native plants, including eleven wildflower and four grass species, aid in erosion control, benefiting both wildlife and water quality. As part of the Grow Native! program, the Gardens of Excellence initiative fosters the creation and maintenance of carefully planned native gardens across Missouri. For more information on the benefits of native plants, visit grow.native.org or mdc.mo.gov.
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