Kansas Landscape Plants

Yarrow

• The common form of yarrow, Achillea millefollium, performs well across the state of Kansas; however, Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service warns that while certain flowers do thrive in the state, not all varieties of a particular flower will. The extension service recommends the cultivars Coronation Gold, Schwellenberg, Moonshine and Terra Cotta for better performance for the conditions found in Kansas. This perennial plant likes full sun. Yarrow flower colors vary; Coronation Gold produces gold flowers, Schwellenberg and Moonshine have yellow flowers and Terra Cotta creates orange flowers. The soft, fern-like appearance of the foliage makes yarrow a good pairing with other plants with tall flower spikes or low-growing mounded forms.

Lovegrass

• Of the ornamental grasses, Lovegrass Eragrostis spp. generally thrives across the state, while the lovegrass variety Elliotti-Wind Dancer does well in the south central portion of Kansas. Lovegrass is a perennial in zone 6 and reaches 3 to 4 feet in height, offering tan flowers. The plant prefers full sun. Ornamental grasses serve many functions in the landscape. They can stand alone, act as a backdrop to set off more colorful plants or create a delicate, wind-blown screen for an outdoor seating area. Several types of grasses can be grown together for a strong visual statement.

Yucca

• Yucca is another plant particularly well-adapted to Kansas. Yucca filamemtosa, or Adam's needle, produces a stalk adorned with numerous white bell-shaped flowers. Its foliage consists of a mound of stiff leaf blades with sharply pointed tips. According to the University of Florida Extension, the plant tolerates alkaline, acidic, loam and sandy soils. Yucca does not tolerate wet sites. Instead, this evergreen shrub does best in a sunny site with well-drained soil. The plant may spread up to 3 to 4 feet and is rarely troubled by pests. Variegated varieties are available. Yucca is a good ornamental for shape, color and interest; because of the sharp-tipped leaf ends, the plant should be set back from walkways to prevent injury to passersby.