When it comes to creating a beautiful and thriving landscape in the Kansas City region, timing is everything. Knowing when to plant your landscaping plants can make a significant difference in their success and overall health. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best times to install landscaping plants in the Kansas City area to ensure your garden flourishes year-round.
Spring Planting (March to May)
Spring is a fantastic time to kickstart your landscaping projects in Kansas City. Here’s why:
– Mild Weather: Spring brings milder temperatures that are conducive to plant growth. It’s not too hot, nor too cold, making it comfortable for both plants and gardeners.
– Warming Soil: As the soil begins to warm up after the winter months, plants can establish their roots more effectively.
– Growing Season: Planting in the spring allows your plants to take advantage of the entire growing season ahead, which is crucial for perennials, shrubs, and trees.
Consider installing a variety of plants during this time, including colorful flowering perennials and deciduous trees. Just be sure to get your plants in the ground early in the season to help them adapt before the summer heat arrives.
Fall Planting (September to October)
Fall is another excellent planting season in Kansas City, and here’s why it’s worth considering:
– Cooler Temperatures: Fall provides relief from the summer heat, creating a comfortable environment for both plants and gardeners.
– More Precipitation: Typically, there’s more rainfall in the fall, which helps newly planted vegetation establish their root systems before winter sets in.
– Early Start for Spring: Fall planting allows your plants to get a head start in the following spring. They’ll have a well-established root system, ready to thrive when the warm weather returns.
During the fall, consider planting perennials, shrubs, and even some cold-hardy trees. Remember to keep an eye on the weather forecast and avoid planting too late into the season, as you want to ensure your plants have time to establish themselves before the first frost.
Additional Tips for Successful Planting
– Choose Native Plants: Whenever possible, opt for native plants as they are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions.
– Proper Watering: Ensure your newly planted landscaping plants receive adequate water, especially during their first growing season.
– Mulch: Mulching around your plants can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, benefiting their growth.
Top Native Plants Well-suited To The Kansas City Region!
1. Purple Coneflower: Known for its striking purple-pink flowers, the purple coneflower is a favorite among gardeners and pollinators alike. It’s drought-tolerant and blooms from late spring to early summer.
2.Black-Eyed Susan: With its bright yellow petals and dark brown centers, the black-eyed Susan is a cheerful addition to any garden. It thrives in full sun and blooms throughout the summer.
3. Little Bluestem: This native grass is known for its attractive blue-green foliage that turns a warm copper color in the fall. It’s excellent for adding texture and structure to your landscape.
4. Eastern Redbud: This small to medium-sized tree is famous for its pink to purple flowers that bloom in early spring before its heart-shaped leaves emerge. It’s an excellent choice for both ornamental and wildlife-friendly landscapes.
5. Butterfly Milkweed: As the name suggests, this plant attracts butterflies and other pollinators with its bright orange flowers. It’s also a host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars.
6. Eastern Columbine**: This perennial plant features distinctive red and yellow flowers that resemble a cluster of hanging bells. It’s a favorite of hummingbirds and pollinators.
7. Prairie Dropseed: Another native grass, prairie dropseed, forms graceful mounds of fine-textured foliage and emits a pleasant, nutty fragrance. It’s a low-maintenance choice for landscaping.
8. Switchgrass: Switchgrass is a tall, upright grass with a range of cultivars offering different colors and sizes. It’s a versatile plant used for erosion control, as a screen, or in wildlife gardens.
9. Leadplant: This perennial shrub produces spiky purple flowers and silver-gray foliage. It’s a legume, which means it fixes nitrogen in the soil and supports other plants.
10. Joe-Pye Weed: This tall perennial produces large, domed clusters of pink or purplish flowers that attract butterflies. It prefers moist soils and can thrive in wetter areas of your garden.
These are just a few examples of the many native plants that can thrive in the Kansas City region. When planning your landscaping project, consider a mix of these native plants to create a resilient and ecologically-friendly garden that supports local wildlife and adds beauty to your outdoor space. By timing your planting correctly and selecting the right plants, you can create a vibrant and thriving landscape in the Kansas City region that you’ll enjoy year-round.