![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Weed.jpg\")
From the educational exhibits and programs at Great Plains Nature Center to the beaches, hiking, and fishing available at Lake Shawnee, Kansas is home to many places to learn about and enjoy nature. You can continue to enjoy nature and celebrate it by creating a home environment filled with the best native plants for Kansas. […]
\n","content":"\nFrom the educational exhibits and programs at Great Plains Nature Center to the beaches, hiking, and fishing available at Lake Shawnee, Kansas is home to many places to learn about and enjoy nature. You can continue to enjoy nature and celebrate it by creating a home environment filled with the best native plants for Kansas. Keep reading to find out the 10 best native plants to create a beautiful and diverse home garden.
\n\n\n\nNative plants not only promote biodiversity and support the local ecosystem, but they can also reduce the amount of time you spend on upkeep. Because they have adapted to the local climate, native plants typically require fewer waterings, fertilizers, and other maintenance tasks than non-native plants.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nButterfly milkweed, also known as butterfly weed, has bright orange flowers and wide green leaves that are an attractive addition to any native plant garden. However, all parts are poisonous if ingested. Butterfly milkweed is also an eye and skin irritant. As lovely as these summer blossoming flowers are, take precautions if you plant this herb and you have children or pets.
\n\n\n\nButterfly milkweed embraces stability and does not transplant well once planted. It requires minimal maintenance and is pest and disease tolerant. Milkweeds are crucial for the survival of the monarch butterfly. Their population has reduced significantly in the past two decades. Plant this herb in borders or a butterfly garden and proudly support your local ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Most areas of Eastern and Central Kansas and limited areas of Eastern Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Vanilla
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May to September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to animals and humans if ingested. Possible skin and eye irritants if touched.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nThis beautiful herb has no shortage of fluffy-looking, striking yellow flowers. The petals are layered on top of each other, although you can also find them arranged side by side like a saucer with a slight upward bend.
\n\n\n\nLargeflower tickseed is indeed a large flower, measuring two inches across. This easy-to-grow flowering herb attracts butterflies and bees. It prefers full sun and is especially ideal for the South Central area.
\n\n\n\nOnce established, tickseed will survive off the area’s rainfall and may require watering once biweekly, at the most. This herb has also proven to grow well in the droughts of Northwestern Kansas. Plant it in cottage gardens or use it as an accent plant or container plant.
\n\n\n\nTo enjoy blossoms from late spring to late summer, remove the spent flower shoots.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Limited counties in all regions
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained, sand, loam, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial, biennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, spicey
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Summer and fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought tolerant, 1 inch per week
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1.5 to 2.5 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Some people are allergic to tickseed. This herb is susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Tickseed may attract aphids, aster leafhoppers, or coreopsis beetles.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low-maintenance, fertilize and deadhead to encourage robust blooms.
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cardinal_flower_Lobelia_cardinalis_027.jpg\")
Photo Credit: linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nLooking for a blast of fall color? This richly red flower blooms from midsummer to early fall. It enjoys moisture so much that it withstands brief flooding. If you are looking at low-maintenance landscaping ideas like rain gardens and xeriscaping, cardinal flower is a good choice.
\n\n\n\nBe mindful of its toxic potential. It’s harmful if large quantities are ingested.
\n\n\n\nHummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to this flower. Cardinal thrives in full sun but expects afternoon shade to grow at its best. If your soil remains wet, your property is a good home for this flower.
\n\n\n\nApply root mulch during the cold Kansas winters to protect cardinal flower’s root system and ensure sufficient room for the roots to grow.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Select counties in all regions
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sand, loam, clay, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No floral scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Fall and Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic if large amounts are ingested
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\nPurple coneflower is also called pink double delight. It has small-petaled reddish or purple flowers that look like little pom-poms that sit atop longer petals of the same color.
\n\n\n\nPurple coneflower is a favorite for homeowners wanting to see magnificent color during the cold Kansas winters. The pink double delight continues to bloom until frost.
\n\n\n\nPurple coneflower looks great in borders, beds, and wildflower gardens. It is deer resistant and tolerant of pests and diseases. This flower is very low maintenance and is even known to grow well when neglected.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Light, sweet, honey-like
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: None; has medicinal properties
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Showy-Goldenrod.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dseiver / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThese yellow flowers cluster near the top of upright stems that reach up to five feet high. Showy goldenrod catches the attention of butterflies, bees, and birds. This flower has a rating of medium flammability, so it is not the best plant to place near the barbeque grill or outdoor fire pit.
\n\n\n\nShowy goldenrod thrives on properties with a lot of sun or partial shade. You will not have to water it much, as it is drought-tolerant once established. Add it to cottage gardens or borders. It’s not picky about soil choice, but moist soils may cause this showy wildflower to become aggressive.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Select areas of Eastern and Central Kansas; not native to Western Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rocky, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Mild
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: July to September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Medium flammability
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low to Medium; May have to divide it every 2 years for size management.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/800px-Schizachyrium_scoparium_4zz.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nReady for a little winter color? Little bluestem is blue-green in the summer, yellow-orange in the fall, and copper in the winter.
\n\n\n\nThis plant is very adaptable and thrives in the wetter and drier areas of Kansas. It is humidity, heat, and drought-tolerant. Bluestem is easy to grow and will do well in a yard that gets a lot of sun.
\n\n\n\nBecause it is drought-resistant once established, little bluestem is ideal for rock gardens. Plant it on slopes to take advantage of its erosion control properties. Little bluestem is classified as a warm-season grass, so it is a great choice for a low-maintenance groundcover to replace turfgrass in lawns.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Ornamental grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry to moist, well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: August – February
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/New-England-Aster-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS Midwest Region / Flickr / Public Domain
\n\n\n\nNew England aster is another plant that adds a little fall color. It blossoms for at least six weeks, starting in late summer. This flower looks like a daisy. It has pink petals emerging from a yellow center. Dark green leaves grow on stems that stand three to six feet tall.
\n\n\n\nNew England aster’s roots have been used for medicinal purposes, and it’s naturally found in moist soil or drying sandy soil.
\n\n\n\nThis daisy imposter attracts butterflies and bees. Plant it in butterfly gardens and cottage gardens and give it space for adequate air circulation.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Eastern Kansas; not native to Central and Western Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, sandy, loamy
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer – early fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Nontoxic
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium. If it grows tall, it may require staking or other support. Pinching back stems before midsummer controls plant height and promotes flower growth.
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/372193348_617265a4e6_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dinesh Valke / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nFall phlox has small white flowers that clump together atop stems with dark green leaves. The flower opens to show a yellow center.
\n\n\n\nLike New England aster, fall phlox needs space for good airflow. Although this herb is a breathtaking display, she takes some extra work to maintain because of her high susceptibility to diseases and pests. For example, to manage her risk of powdery mildew, plant her so that she receives adequate air circulation. Do not water her from the top, and remove her from the garden in the winter.
\n\n\n\nDespite all the fuss she causes, fall phlox is a great choice for pollinator gardens and in perennial borders. She also supports the ecosystem by attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other birds.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: South Central, Northwest, and limited areas of Eastern Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – October
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 ft
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: No hazards
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\n![\"Beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/pink-evening-primrose-g6b9ec0b4d_1280-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nPinkladies, also called Mexican primrose, have four large white petals. You may also see her boasting pink petals. In either case, she has a yellow center and white stigmas. The stems are erect, and this showy herb beckons hummingbirds, bees, and hawk moths to pollinate the petals.
\n\n\n\nAlthough she requires full sun, she tolerates a variety of soils. If you have a lot of shade and poor soil, pink ladies will understandably adapt.
\n\n\n\nShe works well in coastal gardens and wildflower gardens. Because this herb tolerates drought, she is a good choice for rock gardens. Mexican primrose can get beside herself and become invasive. As a result, she is earmarked as an excellent option for groundcover.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Southeast and most of Eastern and Central Kansas; limited areas of Northwest Kansas
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained sand, loam, clay, or rocky soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: February – October
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low-Medium, Drought-resistant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: None known
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Plant in a confined space to prevent overgrowth. Prune or mow in late summer or early fall.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/40977811455_49680606f2_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Katja Schluz / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for a tall shrub, look no further. Spicebush grows up to 12 feet tall. She is known for her small yellow flowers that sprout in early to mid-spring and red berries that follow. The ripe berries attract small mammals and birds in the fall. The flowers are prey to pollinators and butterflies. The twigs and leaves have been used for medicinal purposes and teas, and the fruit has been used as a spice.
\n\n\n\nWoodland gardens and rain gardens provide a wonderful spot for spicebush to showcase her fall color.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Select areas of Southeast Kansas; not native in other areas
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist but well-drained clay, loam, or sandy soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Allspice
\n\n\n\nBloom Time/Season of Interest: Spring and autumn
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 6-12 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: None; all parts of the plant aside from the roots and stems are edible and female plants have edible berries
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\nYou’ll want plants with the necessary hardiness to survive the hot Kansas summers, cold winters, multiple soil types, and varying rainfall levels. Choose plants that are most likely to thrive in your area of the state. Plants not native to your area may still grow well, but it may take more maintenance to keep them alive and thriving.
\n\n\n\nSome other things you can do to choose the best native plants are:
\n\n\n\nResearch can be your best friend. Gather all the information necessary to make sure your vegetation is a practical fit for your yard’s conditions, your maintenance preferences, and your family composition.
\n\n\n\nHere are some benefits of using native plants:
• Native plants are adapted to the Kansas climate. They will still require some maintenance to be healthy, but they require less watering, fertilizing, and other tasks that may be necessary to keep non-native plants thriving.
• Native plants are adapted to local diseases and pests. These plants require fewer, if any, chemical treatments, like pesticides and fungicides, to manage infestations and insect problems.
• Because fewer pesticides, fertilizer, and other toxic substances are needed on native plants, fewer chemicals run off into the water supply.
• Native plants support the local ecosystem by providing food and habitat to local pollinators, insects, and wildlife.
• Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
• Missouri evening primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa)
• Rose verbena (Glandularia canadensis)
• Smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
• Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii)
• Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
• Eastern blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
• Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)
• Royal catchfly (Silene regia)
• Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
• Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
• Wintercreeper euonymus (Euonymus fortunei var. coloratus)
• Purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma)
• Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
• Shrub rose (Rosa spp.)
You probably already know you can find native plants at The Wichita Gardens. But if you want native plants to start your own garden, the Kansas Native Plant Society has information on native plant sales, nurseries, and more.
\n\n\n\nYou now have the resources to create a home environment that provides habitats and food sources for local pollinators and insects. Let’s get you over to the Kansas City Zoo to see wildlife that you won’t see, and probably don’t want to see, visiting your property. (The zoo is for little and big kids, which includes you.) Hand over your outdoor mowing, edging, and trimming chores to a local lawn care pro so you can do something else.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Purple Coneflower / James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Kansas","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/1789c/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/107df/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/293e9/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/f2cbb/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/1789c/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/c26c2/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/1dd6e/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/67b76/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 320w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/8df11/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 500w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/98a65/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 800w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/1dd6e/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 960w,\n/static/d92a769bc1490ff07e6f5d68f7f538ff/3cc96/38566472155_a9461e5865_k-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Kansas | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"This article highlights the best native plants for Kansas that provide diversity for your home landscape and support the local ecosystem."}}},{"node":{"id":"d02f197a-1d69-562c-a3c8-63f90e8cee6d","slug":"best-grass-seeds-kansas","path":"/lawn-care/kansas/best-grass-seeds-kansas/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"LaShonda Tucker is a freelance writer, poet, and spoken word artist in Atlanta. She earned her masters from the University of Georgia and enjoys playing her violin.","name":"LaShonda Tucker","id":"f7fdb6d3-a89a-5295-963a-aac47afa7cee","path":"/author/lashonda-tucker/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce61747b62dbfb82f56a8611f2835988?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"daa9a0d5-f2d7-5874-a2a1-2ce417a82733","name":"Kansas","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/kansas/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"May 22nd, 2023","excerpt":"A fruitful walk on one of the Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve’s hiking trails is invigorating. So is returning home to a beautiful lawn reminiscent of the recreational and enlightening journey. This article highlights four of the best grass seeds for Kansas, so you can bring as much of the nostalgia home with you as possible. […]
\n","content":"\nA fruitful walk on one of the Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve’s hiking trails is invigorating. So is returning home to a beautiful lawn reminiscent of the recreational and enlightening journey. This article highlights four of the best grass seeds for Kansas, so you can bring as much of the nostalgia home with you as possible.
\n\n\n\nWhether it’s the humid, rainy, and warm eastern region of Kansas, the drier, cooler western side of the state, or the central region that has a climate in between, you’ll find grass that is a good match for your home and lifestyle.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nOptions for grass types include warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses. Kansas is in the transition zone, where both types of grasses thrive.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses grow best in the summer. This grass type prefers humid and hot climates and thrives in regions with short, hot summers and mild winters. Warm-season grasses go dormant in the winter and turn brown in cold temperatures. These grasses are commonly found in the southern part of the United States.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses grow best in the spring and fall. Like warm-season grass, cool-season grass goes dormant in freezing temperatures, too. However, the grass goes dormant later in the winter than warm season-grasses. Cool-season grasses, unlike warm-season grasses, also go brown and dormant in the summer.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grass prefers air temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This grass type is typically found in the northern regions of the country where the climate is cool to mild.
\n\n\n\nSince Kansas is in the transition zone (which means it experiences both hot summers and freezing winters), both warm-season and cool-season grasses can grow in the state. Let’s take a look at the traits, advantages, and disadvantages of each.
\n\n\n\nCool-Season grasses:
\n\n\n\nWarm-Season grasses:
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tall-Fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton / Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTall fescue has the most heat and drought tolerance of the cool-season grasses, making it ideal for the transition zone. It adapts to a variety of soil types and soil pH levels. Its versatile nature makes it an excellent choice for the Kansas climate, since tall fescue is both heat and cold-tolerant.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue is well-adapted to shady conditions, so if your property has trees blocking the sunlight, tall fescue grass seeds will still produce a beautiful lawn.
\n\n\n\nThis grass is low maintenance compared to other grasses. For example, it requires regular mowing, but unlike Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue does not have high fertilization requirements. Thatch and diseases are also not significant problems for tall fescue.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue has a glossy, dark green color and coarse texture. It has moderate foot traffic. This grass can tolerate occasional physical activity, but it does not recover from damage like Kentucky bluegrass.
\n\n\n\nDuring long dry spells, tall fescue requires frequent mowing and irrigation to keep it healthy.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height to 2 inches when the grass reaches 3 inches tall.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Choose turf-type tall fescue grass seed and avoid forage-type varieties, as they do not produce quality lawns. Rebel tall fescue turfgrass is an ideal option for establishing a lawn because the variety spreads quickly, meaning fewer grass seeds are required for a full canvas.
\n\n\n\n![\"Backyard](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kentucky-bluegrass-yard.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is not as drought-tolerant as tall fescue. Bluegrass also does not perform well in high heat and requires a lot of irrigation in dry, hot weather. It is not recommended for the transition zone as a monostand. While bluegrass may not be the best choice to use alone, it is a good option as a grass seed mix with tall fescue.
\n\n\n\nCombining the two types of grass seeds makes both types of grass stronger for an overall, healthier lawn that can withstand diseases better. For example, diseases that affect tall fescue may not affect Kentucky bluegrass, and vice versa. Mix at a 9 to 1 ratio of tall fescue to Kentucky bluegrass for optimal results.
\n\n\n\nAlthough it is not recommended for the transition zone, Kentucky bluegrass is used in the northeastern part of Kansas where there is ample rainfall. Bluegrass is also used in the northwestern parts where the summer nights have cooler temperatures. Supplemental irrigation is required in the northwestern region.
\n\n\n\nBluegrass has some qualities that are complementary to tall fescue. For example, bluegrass has moderate foot-traffic tolerance and quickly recovers from damage. Bluegrass also helps prevent erosion.
\n\n\n\nCombining bluegrass, with its soft texture and quick recovery from damage, with tall fescue can give you a lawn that is ideal for children running, playing, and falling on the grass regularly.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 3.5 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high; prone to several diseases, such as dollar spot, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, summer patch, and stripe smut.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Use the less aggressive cultivars when mixing with tall fescue. Some cultivars that do well under low-maintenance and minimal watering are Caliber and Northstar.
\n\n\n\n![\"lush](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/zoysiagrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Russbach at the English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass is commonly used for golf courses and by many American homeowners in home lawns. It has high traffic and wear tolerance. Zoysia also adapts well to different soil types.
\n\n\n\nThis grass type grows slowly. So although it has moderate to high maintenance needs, you will not have to run the lawn mower as often to keep the grass low-cut and well-groomed. Another advantage is that its dense turf tends to suppress weeds.
\n\n\n\nMeyer Zoysia is known for being a quality turf with more winter hardiness than other warm-season grasses typically found in the Midwest. This variety also has good drought and heat tolerance.
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass will grow well on properties with moderate shade. If your home has a lot of trees or does not get a lot of sun, this grass type is a better choice than some other warm-season grasses, like buffalo grass. However, too much shade causes zoysia to thin.
\n\n\n\nAlthough zoysia is drought tolerant, it needs supplemental irrigation during long dry spells. Be mindful that thatch can be a problem if this grass type is watered or fertilized too much.
\n\n\n\nZoysia comes with some ambivalence. Its high traffic quality makes it a good choice for homes with a lot of physical activity on the lawn, but it recovers slowly from damage. If you want grass that can withstand frequent lawn parties and recover quickly from the traffic, a mixture of tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass seeds is a better choice.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High, but recovers slowly from damage
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to High. It needs to be watered, mowed, and fertilized properly to reduce the need for pesticides. Over-fertilizing it with nitrogen may produce a thick layer of thatch.
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: 1 and 2 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for Disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Thrives in well-draining soil, some cultivars are more tolerant of a wide range of soils than others
\n\n\n\nOther Notes: It is susceptible to dollar spot and large patch disease. Zoysia grass is vulnerable to white grubs and mole crickets, which attract critters that also cause damage.
\n\n\n\n![\"California](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/UC-Verde-Buffalograss-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Susan Harris / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBuffalograss thrives best in the western area of Kansas where there is less rainfall. This drought-tolerant grass is ideal for homeowners who want a low-maintenance lawn. It requires very little fertilizer or water.
\n\n\n\nBuffalograss prefers full sun and will not grow at its best on shady properties. Unlike zoysiagrass, buffalograss requires weed management. Mowing regularly, however, can decrease certain types of weeds, like broadleaf weeds. Buffalo is disease and insect tolerant, so it does not need the maintenance that some grasses, like zoysia, require to keep it pest free.
\n\n\n\nBuffalograss has a unique blue-green color and soft texture. It’s a good option for homes with children who like to walk barefoot across the grass. On the other hand, its low traffic tolerance makes it a less inviting choice for frequent sports activities or gatherings on the lawn.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low fertilizer and mowing needs. Develops thatch and requires weed control.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set the mowing height between 2 and 3 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good insect and disease resistance
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6.5-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Native clay soils, not sandy soils
\n\n\n\nOther notes: It has no rhizomes or underground stems and is easily destroyed by cultivation. But these qualities make buffalograss easier to remove from your garden and flower bed.
\n\n\n\n![\"Bermudagrass\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bermudagrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: John Robert McPherson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is commonly used throughout the United States. This grass has mixed reviews about its suitability for Kansas.
\n\n\n\nThe University of Missouri reports that bermudagrass is not recommended for lawns in the transition zone. Varieties are predominantly developed in the south and not adapted for Kansas. This grass type has poor cold tolerance. Most seeded varieties lack the resilience to survive the cold Kansas winters.
\n\n\n\nNevertheless, bermudagrass is used widely in Kansas. According to Kansas State University, bermudagrass is adapted to the northern edge of the state and can grow well in that area. KSU suggests using cold-tolerant varieties and that they must be planted by vegetative means.
\n\n\n\nThe same source reports that seeded cultivars will thrive in southern Kansas. Cheyenne, Sun Devil, and Guymon are some of the recommended cultivars.
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is medium-green in color and has a texture that is medium-fine. It is heat and drought-tolerant.
\n\n\n\nThis grass type tolerates a wide variety of soil types and has a low-growth habit. A property that receives a lot of sun will provide good growing conditions for bermuda. It can tolerate a few hours of daily shade, but too much time in the shade reduces the grass’s quality and density. Bermuda grows aggressively and can invade gardens and flower beds.
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass has high-traffic tolerance and recovers quickly. It is a wonderful selection for homeowners that host frequent play dates on the grass.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low; thrives in full sun
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nTraffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Improved hybrid cultivars require moderate maintenance
\n\n\n\nRecommended mowing height: Hybrid bermudagrass cultivars should be mowed to 0.5 and 1.5 inches. Common bermudagrass should be mowed to 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for Disease: High
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Tolerates most soil types
\n\n\n\nOther Notes: Its aggressive growth causes it to invade flower beds and generate thatch accumulation. Mowing too frequently to keep the grass at a height of .5 inches exposes the grass to increased pests and weeds. Mowing 1 to 2 times weekly will maintain a healthy root system and appearance.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are great seed mixes for overseeding. Bluegrass germinates quickly to fill in bare spots. The best time to overseed using these two seed mixes is in early to mid-September. During this time the nights are cooler, the soil is still warm, and there is ample rainfall.
No grass is best for every condition or purpose. Kansas experiences extreme temperatures in the summer, cold winters, and multiple soil types and precipitation rates. The summer heat along with the humidity breeds multiple diseases to which perennial ryegrass is susceptible. Perennial is best used for athletic fields and golf courses and not home lawns in the state of Kansas.
The most shade-tolerant warm-season grass is St. Augustine. Zoysiagrass is the second most shade-tolerant. The most shade-tolerant cool-season grass is fine fescue. Of the cool-season grasses best suited for Kansas, tall fescue is more shade tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass.
When choosing a grass, consider what area of Kansas you live in, as some grasses have traits that thrive better in some regions than others. Another factor to consider is when you feel it is best for your lawn to thrive and enter dormancy.
\n\n\n\nThe two cool-season grasses will go dormant later in the winter and experience summer dormancy. The two warm-season grasses will go dormant earlier in the winter but remain active and growing in the summer.
\n\n\n\nWhether you’re starting a new lawn or working with an existing one, you’ll want to plant grass seed that fits your lifestyle, your yard’s characteristics, and the time you want to dedicate to maintenance.
\n\n\n\nConsider what your lawn will be used for. If you have a lot of physical activity on your grass, choose quality turf that tolerates heavy foot traffic and, if possible, recovers quickly. How much shade or sun does your property receive? This will affect what type of grass thrives well in your home’s conditions. Select a grass that allows you to work as little or as much as you want in maintaining your lawn.
\n\n\n\nThe sooner you turn your yard work over to someone else, the sooner you can enjoy the water activities at Cheney State Park. Call a lawn care pro near you to do the mowing, fertilizing, and trimming for you. We have trusted pros in Wichita and many other cities across Kansas.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: City Park, Manhattan, Kansas / Wesley Fryer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
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