In this episode of House of Lou, Veronica is joined by Shannon Callahan, outreach specialist at Bring Conservation Home, and Susie Van de Riet, owner of St. Louis Native Plants, to discuss the popular topic of native plants and "rewilding" outdoor spaces to their natural state. St. Louis' landscape, climate, and rich biodiversity makes it an ideal environment for cultivating native plants. Shannon and Susie share why we should care more about our local flowers, shrubs, and trees and how to restore original flora and animal habitats to your property. Plus, Veronica touches on exciting updates happening around her home, including refinishing an antique secretary desk and renovating the original tile work on the front entrance of the house. Get updates and photos from these projects on Veronica's Instagram (@vtlookbook) or in the weekly Design+Home newsletter. Listen and follow House of Lou on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or most places podcasts are available.

Thank you to St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for sponsoring this episode. Join your St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and music director Stéphane Deneve on February 2 as international sensation and St. Louis favorite, violinist Augustin Hadelich, returns for Samuel Barber’s lyrical Violin Concerto. Get tickets at slso.org.

Got an idea for a future House of Lou episode? 

We love hearing from our audience. Send your thoughts or feedback to Veronica at vtheodoro@stlmag.com or to podcasts@stlmag.com. We can't wait to hear from you!

Looking for more inspo?

Subscribe to our Design+Home newsletter to receive our latest home, design, and style content in your inbox every Wednesday. And follow Veronica (@vtlookbook) and St. Louis Magazine on Instagram (@stlouismag).

Interested in being a podcast sponsor?

Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Top-performing native plants for the St. Louis area (SLM)
• Bring Conservation Home
• St. Louis Audubon Society
• U City in Bloom
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
• Shaw Nature Reserve
• St. Louis Native Plants
• The Sustainable Backyard Tour
• St. Louis garden and house tours (SLM)
• Whitmire Wildflower Garden
• Native Plant Garden Tour
• Quarrelsome Coffee
• Greenscape Gardens (Sue Leahy)
• St. Louisan Sue Leahy wasn’t much of a gardener until she got hooked on native plants
• Papillon Perennials
• Missouri Wildflower Nursery
• Forrest Keeling Nursery
• Forest Relief
• Pure Air Native
• Sue Wheeler - Wheeler Refinishing
• Wild Ones
• Orchid Show Photography class at Missouri Botanical Gardens
• Darning and Mending class at Perennials
• Pulitzer Arts Foundation (Inside Tadao Ando building)
• County Glass