Kansas Climate Snapshot
Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden
Hardiness Zones
5b, 6a, 6b, 7a
Annual Rainfall
20-40 inches annually
Frost Window
April-October
Water Notes
Variable rainfall; western areas drier
Popular Landscaping Styles
Discover design styles perfectly suited to Kansas's unique climate and landscape
Native grassland plants
Key Features:
- ā¢Grasses
- ā¢Wildflowers
- ā¢Drought tolerance
- ā¢Wind protection
Traditional agricultural style
Key Features:
- ā¢Windbreaks
- ā¢Vegetable gardens
- ā¢Fruit trees
- ā¢Shelterbelts
Deciduous forest plants
Key Features:
- ā¢Shade trees
- ā¢Spring ephemerals
- ā¢Moisture-loving plants
- ā¢Naturalistic
Arid-adapted xeriscape
Key Features:
- ā¢Succulents
- ā¢Rocks
- ā¢Drought tolerance
- ā¢Minimal water
Recommended Plant Palettes
Native and adapted plants that thrive in Kansas's climate
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
State flower; tall annual
Cottonwood
Populus deltoides
State tree; fast-growing
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Prairie grass
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Yellow wildflower
Coneflower
Echinacea spp.
Purple daisy flowers
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
White flower clusters
Sedum
Sedum spp.
Succulent groundcover
Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia
Lavender-blue spikes
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana
Evergreen windbreak
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Drought-tolerant oak
Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Tough urban tree
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa
Western Kansas tree
Seasonal Garden Checklist
Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful Kansas garden
Plant spring bulbs
Winter protection for tender plants
Start seeds indoors
Plant cool-season crops
Plant warm-season vegetables
Water and weed regularly
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about landscaping in Kansas
Ready to Design Your Kansas Garden?
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