Kansascaping

Kansascaping

The Kansas growing enviroment is a unique combination of extremes that can present some issues for the landscape. On the winter side of the spectrum, we can have dips of sub zero temperatures followed by 50 degree days; these fluctuations are hard on plants. Our summers can be very hot and dry to the point of severe drought. Choosing and caring for plants in these circumstances can be a challenge and at times discouraging as you select beautiful plants only to see them languish. Our response to this, we’re calling “Kansascaping”.

Our idea of a Kansascape starts with plant selection. The list we compiled are plants we observed, specifically in South Central Kansas, to have survived and even thrived in our exteme dry, hot summers and withstood our winters as well. There are some native Kansas plants and some in related families included in the list, but many times native plants don’t have quite the desirable traits homeowners want in their landscape. It is not an all inclusive list and could change as conditions and new plant selections do. Also, don’t be totally limited by this list; location and care play a huge role in the health of plants. This is just a recommendation of some good basic choices to use as a backbone for a successful landscape.

Except where noted these plants will take part to full sun.

Trees
Chinese Pistache
Crabapple, Praire Fire
Crabapple, Royal Raindrops
Elm, Lacebark
Goldenraintree
Hawthorn
Maple, Amur
Maple, Autumn Blaze
Maple, Caddo Autumn Splendor
Oak, Bur
Oak, Northern Red
Oak, Shumard
Pear, Cleavleand Select
Redbud, Oklahoma
Redbud, Rising Sun
Redbud, Ruby Falls
Serviceberry, Autum Brilliance

Ornamental Shrubs
Boxwood
Euonymus, Chollopo
Euonymus, Emerald & Gold
Euonymus, Emerald Gaiety
Euonymus, Manhattan
Nandinas
Privets
Pyracantha
Sumacs - especially Tiger Eyes
Sweetspire
Yucca

Flowering Shrubs
Butterfly Bush
Chastetree
Crapemyrtle
Forsythia
Hydrangea, Oakleaf
Lilac, Dwarf Korean
Mock Orange
Quince
Rose of Sharon
Smoketree, Royal Purple
Viburnum, Leatherleaf, Fragrant

Evergreens
Upright
Cedar, Blue Atlas
Juniper, Virginia
Juniper, Taylor
Pine, Loblolly
Pine, Southwestern White

Shrub
Cedar, Feelin’ Blue Deodara
Juniper, Blue Chip
Juniper, Daub’s Frosted
Juniper, Mint Julep
Juniper, Sea Green
Yews (shade) Japanese Plum Yew

Grasses
(most grasses work well)
Feather Reed
Fountain, Dwarf Hamlin
Little Bluestem
Switch, Northern
Switch, Shenandoah
Maiden Grass

Annuals
Angelonia
Dahlberg Daisy
Evolulus, Blue Daze
Hibiscus
Lantana
Marigold
Penta
Petunias, Wave
Purslane/Rose Moss
Red Fountain Grass
Salvia, Blue
Scaevola
Sweet Potato Vine
Vinca

Shade Annuals
Begonias
Coleus

Perennials
Agastache
Artemesia
Asclepias (Butterfly Milkweed)
Baptesia
Coneflower
Coreopsis
Daylilies
Delosperma (Hardy Ice Plant)
Hellebore (shade)
Heuchera (Coral Bells)-shade
Hibiscus, Hardy
Iris
Lamb’s Ear
Lavender
Liatris
Mums
Phlox, creeping, garden
Primrose, Evening
Rudbeckia
Russian Sage
Salvia
Santolina
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Veronica
Yarrow

Ground Covers
English Ivy
Euonymus, Purpleleaf Wintercreeper
Hens & Chicks
Honeysuckle, Japanese Hall’s
Honeysuckle, Japanese Purpleleaf
Lirope
Primrose, Missouri
Sedum
Thyme
Vinca Minor