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Flowers & Plants

2008-07-01 15:11:00

Wildflowers in Kansas

Question: Which wildflowers work well in the Kansas landscape?

Answer: Being from a prairie state, many Kansans do not truly appreciate the beauty and hardiness of wildflowers. Some people consider them to be weeds, but in reality, they possess the qualities of great plants for our landscapes. Wildflowers can add season-long color and interest to the garden and, once established, they are very drought-tolerant and carefree. They also conserve soil and water, support a diversity of wildlife through improved habitat, are less prone to insects and disease and result in fewer losses because of their hardiness. With gardening principles like Xeriscaping, Water-Wise Gardening and a new focus and outlook on landscaping with native plantings, wildflowers are a natural solution and selection for our gardens. Here are fifteen wildflowers worthy of adding to your landscape. •ASCLEPIAS Asclepias incarnata: Swamp Milkweed, Dusty pink flowers, 24-36” tall Asclepias tuberosa: Butterfly Milkweed, Orange, yellow or red flowers, 18-24” tall •BAPTISIA Baptisia australis: False Blue Indigo, Blue flowers, 24-36” tall Baptisia lactea: Prairie Baptisia, White flowers, 24-36” tall Baptisia sphaerocarpa: Yellow Wild Indigo, Yellow flowers, 18-24” tall •BOUTELOUA Bouteloua curtipendula: Side Oats Gramma, Seeds along one side of stalk, 12-18” tall Bouteloua gracilis: Blue Gramma Grass, Seed head resembles an eyelash, 12-18” tall •COREOPSIS Coreopsis grandiflora: Big Flower Coreopsis, Bright yellow flowers, 18-36” tall •ECHINACEA Echinacea angustifolia: Narrow-leaf Coneflower, Light pink flowers, 18-36” tall Echinacea purpurea: Purple Coneflower, Bright purple flowers, 18-36” tall •GAILLARDIA Gaillardia aristata: Blanket Flower, A combination of yellow, red and bronze flowers, 12-18” tall •LIATRIS Liatris aspera: Button Blazing Star, Purple button flowers along stalk, 24-40” tall Liatris punctata: Dotted Gayfeather, Lavender-purple flower, 8-24” tall Liatris pycnostachya: Thick-spiked Gayfeather, Purple flowers, 24-60” tall •OENOTHERA Oenothera grandiflorus: Showy Evening Primrose, Light pink flowers, 12-18” tall •PENSTEMON Penstemon digitalis: Smooth Beardstongue, White flower, lined red, 12-30” tall Penstemon grandiflorus: Shell-leaf Beardstongue, Pink, purple or white flowers, 24-36” tall •RATIBIDA Ratibida columnifera: Red Mexican Hat, Red flower, 24-36” tall Ratibida columnifera: Upright Prairie Coneflower, Yellow flower, 24-36” tall •RUDBECKIA Rudbeckia maxima: Great Coneflower, Yellow flowers with cabbage-like leaves, 48-60” tall Rudbeckia nitida: Green-headed Coneflower, Yellow flowers, 48-60” tall •SCHIZACHYRIUM Schizachyrium scoparium: Little Bluestem Grass, Red fall color through the winter, 30-40” tall •SOLIDAGO Solidago rigida: Stiff Goldenrod, Yellow flowers, 24-48” tall •SORGHASTRUM Sorghastrum nutans: Indian Grass, Yellow flower that develops into a fall seedhead, 36-48” tall •VERBENA Verbena bipinnatifida: Dakota Verbena, Purple flowers, 6-12” tall Verbena canadensis: Rose Verbena, Deep-pink to rose-purple flowers, 8-10” tall As with all landscapes, matching the right plants to your conditions is crucial for success. Botanica has numerous varieties of wildflowers throughout the Gardens. Take time to explore Botanica on your next visit to see these highlighted varieties, and numerous other wildflowers throughout the Gardens. See how they thrive in our zone and look for colorful and carefree wildflower varieties to add to your landscape.