About Us
Alex Queathem Payne
Alex is a bioregional clinical herbalist, botanist, gardener, and educator.
She studied with the Columbines School of Botanical Studies in Eugene, Oregon with a deep focus on sustainable wildcrafting, botany, and clinical herbalism. She became the administrator in 2016, began teaching in 2018, and continues to teach online lectures.
Upon returning back to her roots in the Midwest, she was the production manager at Cheryl's Herb Shop in Maplewood, MO from 2021-2023.
Alex currently offers various workshops and programs around the area. She also has a small clinical practice where she is accepting new clients.
Alex and her husband, John are tending 5 acres in the foothills of the Ozark in Missouri. They grow a variety of heirlooms, herbs, native plants, and at risk/endangered medicinal plants.
Alex co-founded the Tend and Flourish School of Botanicals in 2019 offering herbal education to the greater St. Louis Region.
John Payne
John Payne is a horticulturist, ceramist, rock climber, and landscape designer. He obtained his Associates in Applied Science focusing on horticulture. John has a company called Mud and Leaf where he builds beautiful small batch ceramic ware and art. They both have been collaborating on items such as ceramic plant tags, mugs, and more. You can find some of the Mud and Leaf products for sale in our store and locally at various establishments.
John has been working at Sherwood's Forest Plant Nursery for over a decade. He does everything from sales, landscape design, kids clubs, and is the ultimate plant waterer. He has a true love for bonsai plants, growing edible and medicinal mushrooms on fallen trees from the land, to restoring native ecosystems.
tending the Wildflowers Botanical Sanctuary
John and Alex knew they wanted to care for the land in an ethical and sustainable way. When looking for a place to settle down, they knew this spot was it. Sitting on 5 acres there is a very old glade ecosystem. Glades are truly unique because they are a cross between a desert and a meadow. Full of gorgeous wildflowers throughout the entire growing season that include Echinacea, Goldenrod, Black Eyed Susan, Blazing Star, Rattlesnake Master, Lady Tresses Orchids, Fremont's Leather Flower, among others!
They began by removing invasive plants such as Japanese Honeysuckle and Burning Bush Euonymus. Cleaning up the woodlands by opening the forest canopy and overcrowded trees. Clearing Juniper trees that can take over the glade ecosystem if not controlled by fire.
This year they have big, exciting plans to reintroduce prescribed burns to invigorate the native plants that are currently rooted there and perhaps awaken some special seeds that are sweetly sleeping down in the soil.
John and Alex offer intimate workshops, programs, and plant walks at the botanical sanctuary.
About Us
Passionate Plant People
We love geeking out on plants, fungi, mosses, and ferns!
We grow heirlooms & organic food and medicine
Want to learn what plants to grow in your garden? We got you!
Plant Walks & foraging Hikes
Love to get out in the woods and forage? We got you!
Food, Medicine, heirlooms, and native plants Flourish in our garden
Tending the Wildlowers Botanical Sanctuary