In the garden
Amy Jordan, Special to The Gazette
Originally published 01:07 p.m., June 5, 2008
Updated 01:07 p.m., June 5, 2008
In previous articles I discussed plant lists of annual and perennial flowers that are recommended for our changing Kansas climate.
Prairie Star annual flowers and Prairie Bloom perennial flowers (www.prairiestarflowers.com) are good choices for herbaceous plants, but what about trees and shrubs?
Since 2002, the Kansas Nursery and Landscape Association, Kansas Arborist Association, Kansas Forest Service and K-State Research and Extension have been selecting a tree, shrub and perennial as its Pride of Kansas Plants of the Year. Like the Prairie Star and Prairie Bloom plants, these plants were selected because they perform well in tough Kansas conditions.
The Pride of Kansas tree of the year is the Caddo Maple (Acer saccharum Caddo). It was selected because of its superior performance of heat, wind and drought tolerance. Caddo Maple has a much thicker leaf that results in much less leaf tattering and scorch. ‘Autumn Splendor’ and ‘John Pair’ are two maple selections released by K-State’s John Pair Horticulture Research Center in Wichita. These trees are best suited for the Great Plains and are less tolerant of saturated soils. ‘Autumn Splendor’ was also selected for its beautiful red/orange fall color and rapid growth rate. This tree will mature with a height of 45’ and a 40’ spread. ‘John Pair’ will mature to a height and spread of 40’ and will always possess a red fall color.
Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum) has been selected as the shrub of the year. An outstanding specimen or large boarder shrub, this plant gives weight and stature to the landscape. Leatherleaf will grow to 8-10 feet tall with a similar spread. The long oval leaves have deep veins and a dark green leathery appearance. This shrub will hold its leaves through most of the winter in Kansas and is dense enough to make a thick background. Leatherleaf does best in sun to partial sun but will tolerate most shady locations also. In the spring, Leatherleaf produces a cream colored flower head that ranges from 4 -8 inches in diameter and will form a drupe fruit that turns from red to black.
‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) has been
selected as the perennial of the year for its outstanding plume features and hardiness in
just about every location. Feather Reed Grass is considered a cool season grass and will be the first to ‘green-up’ in the spring and the last to go dormant in the fall. This outstanding perennial grass has a narrow upright growing habit, with a height of 4-5’ and a spread of 2-3’. Midsummer the plant grows showy, narrow, spiked blooms that start out pink and turn golden tan in the late summer. This plant looks great in mass plantings, adds lots of texture to the landscape and works well with other plants as a contrast. This plant is also one selected for the Prairie Bloom list.
If given adequate care throughout the season, these plants could still be planted in your landscape. Or, make them part of your fall or spring planting. Ask at local nurseries to see if they carry these plants. The Caddo Maple is still fairly new to the market, so may not be available everywhere, but is certainly one to consider.
Remember that plants take about 2 years to become established, so regular watering during that time is necessary. Spread mulch around trees and in landscape beds to conserve moisture, reduce weed competition and prevent damage from lawn mowers and string trimmers.
Amy Jordan is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Lyon County.