Gardening & Planting

The Best Plants for Year-Round Gardening in Manhattan, KS

Gardening in Manhattan, Kansas, offers unique opportunities to enjoy nature's beauty throughout all four seasons. The region's climate, with its distinct hot summers and cold winters, calls for thoughtful planning when selecting plants for your garden. By choosing the right plants, you can create a beautiful landscape that provides interest, color, and texture all year long.

In this article, we'll explore the best plants for year-round gardening in Manhattan, KS, offering you a guide to selecting hardy perennials, vibrant annuals, and versatile trees and shrubs. Whether you’re designing a new garden or improving an existing one, this guide will help you make the right choices for your landscape.

Understanding Manhattan’s Climate

Before diving into plant selection, it's important to understand the climate in Manhattan, KS. The city experiences a continental climate, with hot summers, cold winters, and an annual average rainfall of about 34 inches. The growing season typically spans from late April to early October, but the area is also known for its unpredictable weather, with late frosts in spring and early frosts in fall.

Manhattan falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, which means that plants in this zone can typically withstand winter temperatures as low as -10 to -5°F. This knowledge is crucial when choosing plants, as selecting species that are hardy to this zone will ensure they can thrive through the cold winters while flourishing in the warmer months.

Soil types in Manhattan range from heavy clay to loamy soil, with occasional rocky areas. Amending the soil with organic matter is essential for promoting healthy root development and ensuring your plants get the nutrients they need to grow strong throughout the year.

Best Perennials for Year-Round Color

Perennials are the cornerstone of a year-round garden, as they return every season, providing reliable beauty and structure. Here are some perennial favorites for Manhattan’s climate:

• Coneflower (Echinacea): Coneflowers are tough, drought-tolerant perennials that bloom in summer and fall, offering daisy-like flowers in a variety of colors, from purples to pinks and even oranges. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies and are a great addition to any garden. With minimal care, cone flowers can thrive for years. Care Tips: Plant in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Water regularly but avoid waterlogging.

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): Black-eyed Susans are another hardy perennial that can endure heat, drought, and cold. Their bright yellow petals with dark centers make them a standout in gardens. They bloom from late summer into fall and can continue to attract butterflies and birds well after the flowers fade. Care Tips: These plants prefer full sun and moderately rich, well-drained soil. Deadheading will encourage continuous blooms.

• Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Daylilies are known for their adaptability and vibrant blooms. With a wide range of colors and sizes, they can fit into any garden design. These plants bloom for several weeks during the summer, adding pops of color. Care Tips: Daylilies thrive in full sun and tolerate a variety of soil types. Divide the plants every few years to ensure their continued health.

• Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum): Shasta daisies are classic perennials that feature bold white petals and yellow centers. They bloom in early to midsummer and can last well into fall with proper care. Their elegant simplicity makes them a perfect choice for creating a crisp, clean garden look. Care Tips: Shasta daisies prefer well-drained, fertile soil and full sunlight. They benefit from a light pruning after blooming to encourage new growth.

• Hostas: Hostas are ideal for shaded areas of your garden, offering lush green foliage and interesting textures. While they don’t provide much in the way of flowers, their dramatic leaves come in shades of green, blue, and yellow. Hostas are perfect for creating a tranquil, low-maintenance garden space. Care Tips: Hostas thrive in well-drained, moist, slightly acidic soil and prefer partial to full shade. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

• Peonies: Peonies are known for their large, fragrant flowers, which bloom in late spring to early summer. These plants are not only stunning but also offer excellent cut flowers for arrangements. They are highly resistant to pests and diseases, making them a long-lasting garden addition. Care Tips: Peonies need full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Prune back dead foliage in fall and apply a layer of mulch to protect them from winter cold.

Best Shrubs and Trees for All Seasons

Shrubs and trees are important elements for providing structure, shade, and evergreen color to your garden year-round. Consider these options for your Manhattan garden:

• Evergreen Trees

  • Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana): Eastern Red Cedars are evergreen trees that provide year-round color, even in the winter. Their dense, needle-like foliage and distinctive aroma make them perfect for creating privacy screens or windbreaks. Care Tips: These trees prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil and full sunlight. Prune them to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches.

  • Pine Trees (Pinus spp.): Pine trees are another excellent choice for adding year-round greenery. They are particularly well-suited for windy areas and can help block strong winds in winter. Their tall, vertical form adds architectural beauty to your landscape. Care Tips: Pines thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. They require minimal pruning and are quite low-maintenance once established.

• Deciduous Trees

  • Maple Trees (Acer spp.): Maples are known for their stunning fall foliage, providing vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows as the seasons change. They also offer shade in the summer and bare branches in winter, which can be used to add structure and visual interest to your landscape. Care Tips: Maples prefer moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Fertilize in early spring to promote healthy growth.

  • Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida): Flowering dogwoods are admired for their spring blooms and their fall foliage. Their delicate white or pink flowers and attractive bark make them a favorite for both small and large gardens. Care Tips: These trees thrive in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They are sensitive to drought, so consistent watering is essential.

• Shrubs

  • Lilac Bushes (Syringa spp.): Lilacs provide a burst of color and fragrance in early spring, with their clusters of purple or white flowers. They make excellent focal points in gardens and are known for their longevity. Care Tips: Plant lilacs in full sun with well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Prune them after flowering to encourage healthy new growth.

  • Boxwood Shrubs: Boxwoods are versatile evergreen shrubs that work well as hedges, borders, or standalone focal points. Their small, dense leaves retain their color year-round and can withstand heavy pruning, making them ideal for shaping. Care Tips: Boxwoods thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Prune them in early spring to maintain their shape and encourage growth.

Best Annuals for Seasonal Interest

Annuals offer vibrant seasonal color and can fill in the gaps between perennials and shrubs. Here are some of the best annuals for your Manhattan garden:

• Petunias: Petunias are one of the most versatile and colorful annuals. Available in a range of colors, they thrive in full sun and can be planted in hanging baskets, containers, or garden beds. Care Tips: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

• Geraniums: Geraniums are another popular annual that adds rich, colorful blooms to the garden. These flowers come in shades of red, pink, white, and purple and can be grown in containers or garden beds. Care Tips: Geraniums prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Water them regularly but ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

Section 4: Best Annuals for Seasonal Interest

Annuals offer vibrant seasonal color and can fill in the gaps between perennials and shrubs. Here are some of the best annuals for your Manhattan garden:

• Petunias: Petunias are one of the most versatile and colorful annuals. Available in a range of colors, they thrive in full sun and can be planted in hanging baskets, containers, or garden beds.

  Care Tips: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

• Marigolds: Marigolds are hardy and add cheerful color to your garden. They bloom throughout the summer and into the fall, making them a reliable choice for adding warmth to your landscape.

  Care Tips: Marigolds prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They’re relatively pest-resistant, but regular deadheading will help them last longer.

• Zinnias: Zinnias are easy to grow and offer bold, bright colors. They do well in sunny spots and can be grown in garden beds or containers.

  Care Tips: Zinnias require full sun and well-drained soil. Water them consistently but avoid overwatering to prevent mildew.

• Snapdragons: Snapdragons add height and a unique texture to gardens, with their distinctive vertical blooms. They are great for adding variety to your landscape.

  Care Tips: Snapdragons prefer cooler weather, making them ideal for spring and fall plantings. Deadhead them regularly to encourage continued blooms.

Section 5: Seasonal Flowering Plants for Colorful Gardens Year-Round

For continuous color, combine seasonal flowering plants with perennials and shrubs. Here’s a guide to the best seasonal flowers for your Manhattan garden:

• Spring Flowers

  • Tulips: Available in a variety of colors, tulips bloom in early spring and can be planted in beds, borders, or containers.

  • Daffodils: Cheerful yellow blooms that signal the start of spring.

• Summer Flowers

  • Sunflowers: Tall and bright, sunflowers add drama and cheer to your garden in the summer months.

• Fall Flowers

  • Chrysanthemums: These colorful blooms are synonymous with autumn, bringing color when other flowers fade.

Conclusion

Creating a year-round garden in Manhattan, KS, is an exciting challenge that can lead to beautiful, resilient landscapes with the right plant choices. Whether you’re focusing on hardy perennials, colorful shrubs, or vibrant annuals, the plants we’ve highlighted will ensure that your garden remains a point of pride throughout all seasons.

By selecting the right plants, maintaining good soil health, and staying prepared for the changing seasons, you can enjoy a garden that thrives year after year. Happy gardening!

BOOK YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY