As evidenced by its nicknames and attributes, Kansas is a charming place. It is home to one of the world's longest grain elevators, and its nickname is the "Garden of Eden." Kansas has a temperate climate year-round with an average rainfall of about 16 inches. This versatility means that Kansas can support a variety of plant species. It also means that if you populate your lawn and garden with native and environmentally-friendly species, you'll have free time to explore all that Overland Park offers.
Typical Kansas Grasses
Many grass species thrive in Kansas's environment. If you're envisioning a healthy and vibrant lawn this year, we can help you out. Here are our suggestions for a picture-perfect lawn. You can try planting grass on your own or call the lawn care experts at Lawn Love for help.
- Silver Bluestem
- Side-Oats Grama
- Red Top
- Winter Bentgrass
- Prairie Threeawn
Silver bluestem reaches a full height of 18 to 42 inches. Round stems characterize it with a purplish hue by the base. Silver bluestem bears a similar resemblance to several other prairie grasses. However, it stands out for a crooked stem with kinks and branches that don't grow perfectly straight.
Sideoats grama is a perennial that grows from Canada through South America. Sideoats grama is characterized by white tuft-like seed heads. In the summertime, it produces attractive orange and purple flowers. Sideoats grama reaches a mature height of 1-2 feet. It has distinctive seed spikes arranged in an oat-like pattern as well.
Red top is indigenous to Europe, but it has been grown in the US as a pasture grass since the 1940s. Red top is a cool-season grass that stands out for a vivid green color. It grows best in soil with dry to medium moisture levels. Red top is a cool-season grass that also enjoys full sun. It comes to life in the spring and fall but is less vibrant in the summer heat.
Winter bentgrass is another perennial grass. It has fibrous roots and alternate leaf patterns. Winter bentgrass also has a bold green color. Winter bentgrass enjoys partial shade and requires a reasonably high amount of watering. It is indigenous to the Midwest, East Coast, and Southeast.
Prairie threeawn is native to many parts of the US and southern portions of Canada. It also grows native in northern Mexico. Prairie threeawn is a hardy plant that grows in a range of soil conditions, including rocky soil and sandy soil. It is an annual grass that has fibrous roots and alternate leaf arrangements.
What to do in Overland Park
Once you've decided on some good grass to get your lawn going, you'll want to take time off to enjoy all that Overland Park offers. Overland Park is the most densely populated city in the greater Kansas City region. That means there's always a variety of fun and exciting things to see and do.
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a colorful display of some of the finest local and exotic plants and flowers in the area. The relatively new gardens reside on property with open fields and a tranquil stream. The gardens also feature educational programs and events designed to raise awareness of current environmental issues.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
Food and animals blend perfectly at this farm stand, which features a collection of exhibits showcasing historic life on the prairie. This includes nature trails, a Native American display, a full-scale one-room schoolhouse, show gardens, and butterfly gardens. There are also many farm animals at the farmstead as well.
Museum at Prairiefire
This museum has existed since 2014. It has a collection of permanent, in-house exhibits, but it also periodically displays exhibits from other museums as well. The museum, which covers more than 42,000 feet, has won awards for its unique architectural style in the past. The museum also periodically hosts events.
Located in the bustling Kansas City metropolitan area, there is never a shortage of things to do in Overland Park. Many of its best features, as you'll discover, highlight the area's natural diversity and help it live up to the nickname of "Garden of Eden." If you're ready to create an awe-inspiring front yard and have time to see Overland Park's sites, don't hesitate to give Lawn Love a call.
