And Why They Look Great with Hardscaping Landscaping
Native plants are species that are indigenous to a region or ecosystem, and have come to grow in the region naturally without human intervention. Not all plants are well-suited to growing in all parts of the United States, but if you’re looking for longevity and ease-of-growing, native plants should be your top choice. Let’s explore why we love using native plants in Wichita, KS landscaping, and why you should consider them for your yard and garden.
Native Plants Thrive in Wichita Landscaping
Native plants are naturally well-suited to their environment. Kansas’ native plants, for example, are tolerant of drought, prairie winds, sun, and all the other climate-related characteristics of our state. They’ve adapted over time to rely on natural amounts of rainfall, so they need less watering than non-native ornamental plants in your garden. Native plants also thrive because they don’t need as many pesticides. They’re naturally resilient to garden pests in the area. You can definitely still give your native plantings a boost of certain pesticides to keep bugs at bay, though. To put it bluntly, native plants save you time and money because you’ll spend less of both watering, fertilizing, and pampering them because they already thrive in the Wichita, Kansas area.
Native Plants Benefit Local Wildlife and Insects
Native flora benefits native fauna and other species we want in our area. Because you’re using less pesticide in your Wichita landscaping, you can help to increase populations of beneficial insects. Soon, your garden will attract local butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects and pollinators, all of which adds to the beauty of your garden.
Your native plantings also can help to promote biodiversity. As natural habitats become developed areas - think subdivisions and strip malls - Wichita has fewer and fewer acres of land for wildlife. While your native garden probably won’t attract larger animals, it could become a favorite place for the area’s migratory pollinators, like birds and butterflies. Now, imagine how beautiful it would be to sit outside in your landscaped backyard, watching gorgeous birds and insects enjoy your native grasses and flowers. That’s a true at-home oasis!
Kansas Native Plants Come in a Variety of Colors and Textures
It’s a common misconception that because Kansas is a prairie, our native plants are mostly plain-looking grasses, sedges, and rushes. But Kansas native plants come in a variety of shapes, colors, heights, and textures. Sure, some are grasses, too, but those have their place in your garden. For vibrant colors that pop, consider some of these native plants:
Kansas’ state flower, from the genus Helianthus, is a wild sunflower with large yellow flower petals with a brown center.
The Ranunculus genus, which includes the early buttercup, also grows nicely in Kansas gardens, adding a shorter, floral element in spring.
Varieties of hollyhock are also native to Kansas, and can grow several feet tall, blooming from May to September. Their flowers come in a variety of brilliant colors, including pinks, reds, and purples, and they’re absolute stunners!
Joe Pye weed is a perennial with beautiful blooms. Its mature height is about six feet tall, and its green leaves, purple stems, and pink flowers are a pollinator favorite. Don’t let the “weed” in its name deter you from planting this mid-to-late summer bloomer.
Selecting a variety of heights, textures, and colors for your garden, and planting them alongside your natural-looking hardscaping landscape, like your stone walking paths or patio, also installed by Meadowlark Landscape and Design, gives you space to enjoy the view.
Native Plants Are Easy to Care For
We’ve already noted why native plants thrive. But that also, by nature, makes them easier to care for, so you don’t have to have such a green thumb to keep them alive. If you’ve tried your hand at delicate ornamental roses or picky lavender bushes without great success, native plants could be just what you’re looking for! Our Wichita landscaping company can make recommendations and even design your new landscape for you, so you can enjoy your gardens and yard, full of the most hardy, best-growing plants for our area.
Book Hardscaping and Landscaping Services from Meadowlark
Designing a garden is tough work, so for best results, leave it to our experts. We’ll collaborate with you to learn more about your Wichita landscaping goals and take a look at your land to determine what will work best for you. Then, our team will design a landscape plan, and with your approval, our Wichita, KS landscapers will make it a reality before your eyes, including hardscaping features like walkways, retaining walls, patios, and more. Afterward, continue our landscaping services to properly care for and maintain your new lawn and garden. Get started by contacting us however works best for you:
Fill out the contact form on our website.
Call us at (316) 880-0227
Email us directly at info@meadowlarklawn.com
We look forward to hearing from you and to helping transform your lawn into a gorgeous, lush, and thriving native plant landscape.