Native Plants for Kansas Landscapes: Why They Matter

Upgrade Your Landscape with Drought-Tolerant Kansas Native Plants, Grasses, and Flowers

If you’ve ever watched your lawn turn crispy while your water bill sky rockets or watched your gorgeous flowers perish during the heat of summer and thought, “There’s got to be a better way,” you’re not alone. At Greenbelt Lawns, we’re all about helping your lawn and landscaping look great and survive whatever Mother Nature throws at it. Droughts, water restrictions, extreme heat, and all!

That’s where native plants come in! Think of them as the local heroes of your landscape. Even Wichita’s Favorite Boomer goes full on crunchy when he sees a yard full of native wildflowers and grasses!

Photo Credit: MKCE | The Great American Prairie Landscape

Why Native Plants Are a Game Changer

Native plants are the original Kansans! They’ve been thriving here for thousands of years, long before sprinklers, fertilizers, or lawnmowers showed up. Here’s why they’re perfect for Wichita landscapes, especially as drought concerns persist:

Drought Resilience: Native plants are adapted to Kansas’s climate, meaning they need little to no extra watering once established. That’s a huge win for your water bill and the environment.
Low Maintenance: Forget the fertilizer and pesticides. Native plants flourish in local soils and attract beneficial insects that help keep pests in check.
Pollinator Paradise: These plants are magnets for bees, butterflies, and birds, supporting local ecosystems and giving your yard a lively, colorful vibe.
Soil Health & Water Quality: Deep-rooted native grasses and plants improve soil structure and help filter rainwater, reducing runoff and keeping our rivers cleaner.
Unique Beauty: Native flowers and grasses bring color, texture, and seasonal interest that you just can’t get from a plain old fescue turf lawn.

Top Native Grasses for Wichita

Want a lawn that stays green (or at least interesting) without constant watering? Try these tough local grasses.

Buffalograss: The ultimate Kansas native! This grass is super drought-tolerant, low-growing, and needs almost no mowing or irrigation once established.
Bermudagrass: This hearty grass is perfect for active families and those with pets, as it stands up to traffic well and is considered to have high drought tolerance.
Zoysiagrass: Offering a balance of beauty and toughness, this highly drought-tolerant grass is slow growing, so much less mowing is required (bad for us, but great for you!) and is known to thrive well in Wichita’s fluctuating temperatures.

Favorite Kansas Flowers for Pollinators

Bring on the butterflies and bees with these vibrant wildflowers! Future generations will thank you!

Black-Eyed Susan: Bright yellow blooms, easy to grow, and a pollinator favorite.
Butterfly Milkweed: Orange flowers that are essential for Monarch butterflies, plus, it thrives in dry spots.
Purple Coneflower: An Iconic prairie flower with purple petals and a sturdy nature. Any coneflower will flourish; we just like the purple petals.
Aster: Dainty flowers that bloom late into the season, feeding pollinators when other blooms are gone. Multiple colors are available to add a pop of color to any landscape.
Golden Alexander and Mountain Mint: Both brighten up any landscape and provide nectar for a variety of pollinators.

Check out this nifty guide to native plant gardening from Dyck Arboretum of the Plains.

Kansas-Native Shrubs That Shine

For structure, privacy, or just a little extra flair, try these shrubs.

False Indigo: Striking purple-blue flowers and tough as nails in dry conditions.
Wild Plum: Beautiful spring blooms and edible fruit for you and the wildlife.
Elderberry: White flowers in spring, berries in summer, and a favorite of birds and pollinators alike.
Prairie Rose: Lovely pink flowers and drought tolerance make this a winner.

Photo Credit: Dyck Arboretum of the Plains | Kansas Native Plants

Learn More About Drought-Tolerant Plants

Don’t take our word for it – see what the experts have to say! For more information about Kansas native grasses, flowers, plants, and shrubs, we highly recommend watching this webinar from K-State Research and Extension on Drought-Tolerant Plants.

How to Get Your Drought-Tolerant Landscape Started

Now that you’re a drought-tolerant genius, here’s what you can do to make the switch from thirsty, picky plants to shrubs, flowers, and grasses that actually belong here.

Match the Plant to the Place: Most native plants thrive with full sun and well-drained soil, but always check the specific needs before planting.
Mulch Matters: A layer of mulch helps keep soil moist and roots cool during those hot Kansas summers.
Water to Establish: Give new plants a little TLC with regular watering until their roots are established-then let them do their thing.
Text Boomer Paul with Greenbelt Lawns: If you want to make it really simple, send us a text message at 316-807-2112. We can handle every aspect of transforming your landscape into the perfect prairie dream that’s easy to care for and attracts all the bees and bugs our area desperately needs – all while saving water!

Switching to native plants isn’t just about saving water (though your wallet and the water table will thank you). It’s about creating a resilient, beautiful landscape that supports local wildlife and weathers Kansas’s wild climate with style.

Ready to go native? Give us a shout at Greenbelt Lawns, and let’s make your yard the talk of the prairie – crunchy, colorful, and totally Kansas!