The Best Plants and Greenery for Beautiful Patio Landscaping

A patio can be an island of calm or a lively outdoor living room — plants decide which. Choose the wrong greenery and you’ll wrestle shade, soggy soil, and messy maintenance. Choose the right plants and your patio becomes a comfortable, low-maintenance extension of your home: layered foliage, long bloom seasons, year-round interest, and pollinators dropping by. This guide walks through the best plant choices for St. Louis-area patios, practical placement and maintenance tips, and how to work with pros — whether you’re talking to a landscaping st louis firm or looking for a Patio Contractor In Ballwin MO.

Know your climate and site before you plant

Ballwin and the St. Louis metro sit on the edge of USDA hardiness zones that have warmed in recent updates; parts of the area are now commonly mapped as zone 7a (with nearby pockets of 6b). That shift matters: some Mediterranean or heat-tolerant plants that once struggled are now much more reliable, and planting windows have subtly changed. Check your exact address and microclimate (sun, reflected heat, wind) before buying big specimens.

Why pick natives and adaptive perennials first

Native and regionally adapted plants give the best long-term performance around St. Louis. They handle local soils, drought cycles, pests, and native pollinators better than many finicky exotics. Using a mix of natives and reliable cultivars reduces maintenance, supports birds and butterflies, and usually looks right with the regional architectural style. The Missouri Botanical Garden and Shaw Nature Reserve maintain plant lists and container-design resources that show how natives can be used successfully in both beds and pots.

Top picks for sunny patio edges and containers

These plants thrive where they get at least six hours of sun and bring color, texture, and pollinator value to patio scenes.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) — long-blooming, drought-tolerant, and a magnet for bees and butterflies. Great for mixed border edges and large containers.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta and cultivars) — bright midsummer-to-fall color and tough performance in poor soils.
Catmint (Nepeta spp.) — soft, aromatic foliage with long sprays of lavender-blue flowers; excellent as a filler in container recipes and low borders.
Agastache (hyssop/anise hyssop) — heat- and pollinator-friendly with tall flower spikes that layer well behind lower plants.
Salvias (Salvia nemorosa and similar) — compact spikes of color and repeat bloom with low maintenance.

These species are proven performers in Midwestern landscapes and show up repeatedly in regional plant lists.

Best choices for shade and partial shade patios

If your patio sits under an overstory or between buildings, you still have beautiful options that won’t wither in low light.

Hostas — a shade classic for texture and variety; use them in masses or in containers to hide structural elements.
Hydrangeas (smooth and panicle types) — many varieties bloom reliably in part shade and create lush, year-round interest with large flowers and foliage.
Ferns and woodland perennials — Japanese painted fern, ostrich fern, and others fill shady corners with delicate texture and low fuss.

Structural plants and grasses for year-round form

Ornamental grasses and evergreen shrubs provide backbone when flowers fade.

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) give vertical form, movement in the breeze, and winter seedheads that hold interest into colder months. They work well as background or screens behind patio furniture.
Evergreen shrubs (dwarf boxwood and winter-hardy cultivars) give shape, privacy, and a low-maintenance green backdrop for seasonal plantings. Choose cold-tolerant cultivars and site them where winter wind won’t desiccate the foliage.

Container-friendly plants and small trees (perfect for patios)

Containers let you add big impact without permanent commitment — and they’re ideal beside steps, near dining areas, or to frame an entry.

Dwarf Japanese maples create instant scale and colorful fall interest in a large container; choose sheltered spots out of harsh afternoon sun.
Dwarf boxwoods, hollies, or small columnar evergreens work as living “posts” framing entrances or corners.
Perennials in containers: combine a thriller (tall focal plant), filler (mid-height perennial like agastache or salvia), and spiller (sedum or creeping thyme) for balanced compositions.

Practical planting and maintenance tips for patios

Soil and drainage: Good soil in beds and free-draining potting mix in containers is non-negotiable. Many Mediterranean or drought-tolerant plants fail in heavy, poorly drained soils common in parts of the region. Improve soil with organic matter and choose raised beds or containers if drainage is a concern.
Right plant, right place: Match plants to sun exposure, not wishful thinking. A hydrangea in full afternoon sun will sulk; a sun-loving salvia in deep shade will be leggy and thin.
Layer for privacy and function: Use a combination of low perennials, mid-height shrubs, and taller ornamental grasses or small trees to create rooms, block neighbors, and shelter the patio from wind.
Seasonal interest: Aim for at least three seasons of interest. Combine spring bulbs, summer perennials, and grasses or evergreens for winter form.
Container care: Use high-quality container soil, ensure drainage holes, and water containers more frequently than beds — especially in hot weather. For native containers, consider blends that add porosity for root health.

Real-world case study: translating native gardens into patio-friendly designs

Shaw Nature Reserve’s Whitmire Wildflower Garden is a working example of how native species can be adapted into ornamental settings — including patio-scale container combinations and small garden “rooms.” The site demonstrates practical container mixes, structural grasses, and seasonal plant rotations that inspire residential patio plantings. Homeowners and designers can copy the layered approach used there: combine prairie perennials like coneflower and black-eyed Susan with structural grasses and sheltered container maples or evergreens to create knock-out patio scenes that are low-maintenance and wildlife friendly.

Working with professionals: blending plants with hardscape

If you’re coordinating planting with a patio build, talk in the same language as your contractor. Professionals offering landscaping st louis services often provide integrated plans; a Patio Contractor In Ballwin MO that coordinates hardscape, grading, irrigation, and planting will save rework and align planting soil with the finished surface. Ask for planting plans, root/barrier details, and irrigation placement on the patio design drawings. Trusted teams can provide phased installation so you can balance budget and build toward the full vision.

Final checklist before you buy plants

Confirm sun/shade exposure and soil drainage at planting locations.
Check plant mature sizes and space accordingly.
Choose a mix of natives and adapted ornamentals for color, texture, and wildlife value.
Reserve container specimens for areas where soil is tight or drainage is poor.
Coordinate plant layout with your patio contractor to avoid root conflicts and to ensure proper irrigation.

Conclusion

A beautiful patio is an interplay of hardscape and living material. For the St. Louis area, favor native and regionally adapted plants — coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, catmint, agastache, little bluestem, and shaded companions like hosta and hydrangea — and use containers to add scale and flexibility. Work with a reputable landscaping st louis firm or a Patio Contractor In Ballwin MO who understands local soils and microclimates, and you’ll have a patio that looks intentional, performs well through seasonal swings, and stays low-maintenance for years.