Back in the 1940s, Highway 61 was lined with eye-catching, colorful plants and shrubs – including roses. A drive down the flower-lined road inspired Cape’s most common moniker: City of Roses. There aren’t any roses on Highway 61 now, but Cape Girardeau still has a lot of flora around the city.

Today, the most prominent indicator of Cape’s heritage as the City of Roses is in Capaha Park. A wide array of colorful rosebushes bloom throughout the season, covering the park with a dreamy floral scent. Since the 1950s, the rose garden has been a big deal in the horticultural world. It’s one of only 10 Rose Test Gardens certified by the All-American Rose Selections.

For a larger variety of flowers native to Southeast Missouri, the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center showcases wildflowers. After admiring the bright colors, head inside to learn how local plants support wildlife habitats in the area. Seedlings of Southeast Missouri trees can be purchased online, with availability varying with the seasons.

Expanding plant variety even further, the Charles Hutson Horticulture Greenhouse offers flowers you may have never seen before, along with tried-and-true favorites. It functions as part of Southeast Missouri State University’s agribusiness program, providing a hands-on way for horticulture students to learn about plants. New varieties are always arriving, available to admire and purchase.

In addition to Southeast’s greenhouse, Cape Girardeau boasts a large number of nurseries, offering everything from maple trees and lilies to mulch and garden décor. They’re located throughout town, with several options along Kingshighway. Cape’s farmers markets are also great places to purchase plants, from roses in the summer to mums in the fall. See what else you might find at the farmers market.

Of course, the best way to see Cape’s native plants up close is to head down a hiking or biking trail. We’ve got a lot of them. Find one for you.