Gardening in Omaha, NE
Today, the name "Nebraska" conjures up images of rolling fields and colorful meadows. But did you know that at one point in time, the state was called the "Great American Desert"? It also used to be called the "Tree Planter's State" because it was once covered with thick forests. Over the years, however, its forests gave way to open fields and meadows, which mostly supported commercial farming endeavors. As a result, the state's nickname has changed once again. Today, it is called the "Cornhusker State." Even if you're not planning on contributing to the state's agricultural output, you can still take advantage of the prime growing season by establishing a flourishing garden in your yard. With the number of beautiful native plants and flowers available, it's easy to create a colorful, low-maintenance, and vibrant garden that your Omaha neighbors will envy.
Establishing a Garden in Omaha
As the University of Nebraska at Lincoln notes, native species are a natural choice for landscaping. Fortunately, the trend of gardening with native species is growing. Increasingly, people realize the many benefits of planting native grasses and flowers in their yards. This includes their low maintenance needs, adaptability to the local climate, and disease resistance. Native plants, even in your yard, help to maintain the local flora and fauna populations. They can also increase the volume of biodiversity in the area. In contrast, growing non-native species raises the risk of weeds and invasive plants that can quickly overrun your garden and ultimately do more harm than good.
Ideal Plants and Flowers
If you're looking to start (or add to) a garden in Omaha, you'll want to know which native species to get. Fortunately, there are many good options available. Depending on the flowers you choose, your garden can have either a neat and trim appearance or look more like a natural prairie, complete with a variety of native wildflowers.
With this list of native species, you're bound to find something that you like for your garden.
- Blackeyed Susan
- Beardtongue
- Desert Globemallow
- Leadplant
- Coneflower
- Golden Tickseed
- Purple Poppy Mallow
Blackeyed Susan is a beautiful, durable wildflower. Although it is the Maryland State Flower, it grows throughout much of the US. It is also nicely adapted to the Nebraska environment. Blackeyed Susan is perhaps best known for its yellow-orange color, but the flower comes in other shades of mahogany and rust as well. The flower enjoys partial sun. It belongs to the same family as the sunflower.
Beardtongue has lovely white flowers set against dark red foliage. This species is known for its vigorous growth with the right conditions. It is a perennial with the unusual characteristic of a pollen-free stamen.
Desert Globemallow is sometimes referred to as "Apricot Mallow." It is a hardy perennial plant that is native to the Southwest. This plant tolerates heat and drought well, which makes it capable of enduring Nebraska's hot summers.
Leadplant changes color throughout the year. Its base color is an alluring silver-green. However, it develops stunning flowers of a deep blue and purple hue in the summer.
Coneflower resembles the daisy in appearance. However, it is distinguished by a prominent cone in the center. Its flowers can come in many colors, including white, red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple. There are ten species of Coneflower, and they survive in a range of conditions from Hardiness Zones 3 through 9. This flower grows in moist to dry soil.
Golden Tickseed has a wide range from Canada to Mexico. It reaches 1-2 feet in height. Golden Tickseed stands out for its stunning flowers, which are orange on the outside and form a red ring around the center. The hardy species makes a simultaneously low-maintenance and attractive addition to your garden.
Purple Poppy Mallow spreads quickly, which makes it a great choice if you want a picturesque ground cover. It is a perennial that prefers dry and rocky soils. Purple Poppy Mallow blooms during late spring and summer. It prefers full sun, and it can endure a wide range of temperatures.
Planting a garden takes some work, and you may need to hire the assistance of a professional to get started. When you do, however, you'll find that maintaining your garden becomes much more straightforward. That gives you more time to get outside and enjoy all that Omaha has to offer.
Omaha's Sites and Attractions
Rain or shine, and inside or outdoors, there is always plenty to see and do in this bustling Nebraska city. From museums to shopping, here are some ca n't-miss places to check out.
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
This zoo has been a fixture on the city's scene for over 100 years. It is home to several famous animals and several innovative exhibits. This zoo has the largest desert ecosystem and rainforest in the world. It features many animal exhibits and a large desert dome.
The Old Market
If quality dining and shopping are your thing, The Old Market is a perfect destination. The market is a neighborhood located downtown that is full of art galleries, restaurants, and upscale shopping opportunities. The Old Market was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It covers 17 acres total.
The Durham Museum
Even though Nebraska is no longer dependent on railways, rail service is an integral part of its past. At the Durham Museum, visitors can see several exhibits showcasing life in Omaha during the early 1900s when the area relied primarily on trains for transportation and product delivery. The museum has permanent and traveling exhibits. The museum itself is located in the Union Station, which was once the city's central train station.
Nebraska may be known for corn, but there is much more natural beauty to enjoy here, too. Hundreds of wildflowers, plants, and native floral species are adapted to the local climate, which makes them fitting additions to your garden. If you need help planning or planting a garden, contact Lawn Love, your local lawn care professionals, today.
