Picking the Right Plant
As we enter our second fall and winter of drought conditions, it’s become apparent that some of the plants that have been planted are incompatible with our weather conditions. While this year has been an exception and not the rule, it is still essential to use these as benchmarks when picking plants. Unfortunately, This year has been a litmus test for some plants and has truly highlighted the need to plant in the right place. This week, I want to highlight some great resources on plants that do well in our portion of Kansas should you need to replace plants next year. Kansas sits in a wonderful transition zone in terms of weather conditions. We have summer heat similar to Texas and areas further south, while winter temperatures are closer to Michigan and places quite a bit further north. Throw in our wonderful spring winds, ice storms, and the occasional blizzard, and you provide some of the worst growing conditions for plants in the United States. To survive here, our plants must be tough and handle whatever nature throws.
Trees are a big part of the landscape, from small shrubby trees to giant towering oaks. If you visit a
nursery or garden center, you will see a wide variety of trees available; unfortunately, several of them will not do well in our portion of Kansas. The John Pair Center in Haysville has been testing trees in Kansas conditions since the 1970s and is an excellent source of information on trees that survive in South Central Kansas. Through that work and research, a publication on Drought-Tolerant trees for South Central Kansas was developed to help homeowners pick trees that survive well in our area. The John Pair Center is currently evaluating Red Maples to identify varieties that do best in our area. More information on that research will come out in a few years. If you have an area that tends to stay wet or exceptionally dry, the publication Trees and Shrubs for Difficult Places can be an excellent resource for finding a plant that will tolerate these conditions.
Annuals are among the most popular plants to add season-long color to the landscape. Depending on your location and site conditions, you can find an annual in every color that will work in that spot. One of the biggest challenges with annuals is picking one that will tolerate the sun and moisture conditions in your location. K-STATE tested various annuals throughout the state through the Prairie Star program to see which would tolerate our conditions. Check out the Prairie Star Annuals publication for more information.
Earlier this year, I discussed xeriscaping and developing a landscaping that reduces water use. In years of drought and even when we have adequate rain water-wise, landscaping can help homeowners save time and money. Choosing the right plant for those landscaping areas makes a difference in developing a water-wise landscape. Sedgwick County has developed an excellent handout called Water-wise Plants: Trees and Ornamentals for South Central Kansas.
Choosing the right plant for the location is the key to successful growing plants in Kansas. This year has been a wild ride of a cool, damp spring followed by a hot and dry summer. These conditions have showcased the need to pick the right plant for your landscaping.
Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.
Phone: (316) 321-9660
Email: callae@ksu.edu