Perennials are sure-safe additions to your garden thanks to their robust vitality, sophisticated color and forms, and the fact that you only need to plant them once. If you’d like to add some spring colors to your home sooner this year, here are 9 early blooming perennials to add to your garden before spring is in full swing in Kansas City.
Bleeding heart got its name from its pink, heart-shaped flowers and the white-and-red droplet-like petal that extends out of the pointy bottom. The flowers line up on a stem and hang over an arch shape, making them a beautiful garden liner in early spring.
Bleeding hearts do best in partial shade and reach up to 3 inches when fully mature. They do best in moist, well-drained soil and thrive in cool-to-warm weather that’s between 55 and 75 ºF. Most bleeding hearts bloom in early spring with some variations blooming in mid- to late- spring.
Columbine is a popular perennial for its design versatility. After all, the plant comes with 60 to 70 species of variations! These star-shaped, dual-color flowers produce a light, elegant appearance. The most common columbines have blue petals on the outer ring and white petals in the center. Other common variations can be pink, red, smoky rose, and yellow.
Columbines do best in cooler conditions and should be planted in partial sun to full shade. They are fairly hardy and can tolerate a range of climate conditions, making them perfect for Kansas City’s spring temperature fluctuation, heavy wind, and storms. Fully mature columbines can reach 12 to 36 inches and bloom through spring and into early summer.
When daffodils bloom, spring arrives. These resilient, bright flowers are one of the most commonly seen early blooming perennials in Kansas City. Daffodils are drought-tolerant and do best in full sun. They are prone to rotting, so make sure you have well-drained soil around and prevent planting them where water tends to gather and pool.
Daffodils bloom once a year in late winter or early spring. The most common daffodils you may see around Kansas City are Narcissus “Baby Boomer”, a type of miniature daffodil that yields 6 to 8 small, golden flowers that are about 1.5 inches across.
Hyacinths bloom around the same time as daffodils in early to mid-spring. Each bulb typically yields one stem that reaches 8 to 10 inches when fully mature. On top of the stem, a flower cluster forms a cone shape. Most hyacinths come with pink, purple, or blue flowers with six pointy petals. A popular variation, called grape hyacinth, have round, blue-purple flowers that look like clusters of berries.
Plant hyacinth in full sun with the proper interval to get the largest flowers and straightest stems. However, they will still grow and bloom in partial shade. Like most early-blooming perennials, hyacinth thrives in well-drained soil.
Primroses are winter-hardy plants that can tolerate snow and low temperatures, making them the perfect early blooming perennials to add to your garden while Kansas City weather decides if it wants to be warm and cozy or bone-chilling cold with a hint of blizzard.
Primroses thrive in partial shade. A great spot to plant them would be under a tree where the sun shines through the branches and leaves. They prefer moist, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Primroses bloom in late winter to early summer, depending on species.
Fun fact: Missouri has its own native primrose, called the Missouri Evening Primrose. They yield bright, 4-petaled, yellow flowers that can reach up to 4 inches wide.
Peonies are loved by many homeowners thanks to their luxurious, extravagant look. They also come in many different colors, making them the perfect centerpiece for anybody’s front yard.
Peonies need a lot of sunlight to grow, so they prefer to be planted under full sun. While some varieties can tolerate partial shade, the flowers still need sufficient sunlight to bloom fully. Most peonies can reach 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide with some that can reach 7 feet in both directions, so leave plenty of room in between when planting them.
Peonies bloom in late spring to early summer, and the flowers only last 8 to 10 days — enjoy the view while they last!
If you are looking for an early-blooming perennial shrub that can add some color close to the ground, try creeping phlox. Creeping phlox is a needle-like foliage that forms a blanket of five-petal flowers when it matures. The most common creeping phlox has pink flowers. Other popular varieties have lavender, white, red, and blueish purple flowers.
Creeping phlox can grow to 4 to 6 inches tall and spread up to 2 feet. It should be planted under full sun where the plant can receive 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Routine watering is key to keeping your creeping phlox alive and happy, especially during the first year of planting.
Snowdrops are another great option that will thrive through Kansas City’s lingering winter weather. They bloom in late winter to early spring, or sometimes in mid-spring. As the name suggests, snowdrops create white, drooping flowers that point downward. They are great additions for those looking to develop a cottage/woodland aesthetics in their yard.
Snowdrops should be planted in partial shade with well-draining soil. Most bulbs begin to root within a week or two, but you won’t see any real activity until it’s closer to blooming time. Also, snowdrops takes a year to become established, so you might see few flowers during the first year. Just remember that your patience will be rewarded!
Looking to catch up with the native plant landscaping trend? Add some blue false indigo to your yard. This early blooming perennial is native to Missouri and the Midwest. Blue false indigo is a large, upright bush with long strings of indigo-blue flowers that bloom as early as April.
Blue false indigos live for a long time but grow slowly and take a year to mature. But they will thrive through Kansas City’s freezing winter and scorching summer. Once mature, these early-blooming perennials can reach 4 to 5 feet in height and width. Plant them in full sun or partial shade after the frost season.
Where to Buy Perennials
Your local hardware store and large retailers usually have perennials on sale, such as potted plants or roots. You may also find some online plant stores that will ship you bulbs in the mail.
But your easiest option would be signing up for our seasonal flower subscription. Our horticulture experts will design, source, and plant your containers for you based on your choices of palettes and container design styles. We will deliver your pots with fresh potting soil and fertilizer. You can keep them in the container or plant them in your garden.
Should You Hire a Pro?
Since most perennial bulbs come with planting instructions, it wouldn’t be too challenging for you to plant them yourself in the garden. However, if you don’t want to get your hands messy, hiring a local landscaping company is always the best option.
Working with a pro also allows you to bundle up other spring landscaping tasks into one project to get your front yard up to speed for the new year. Does that sound like something you need to do? Book a consultation with us today, and let’s get your front yard going for spring.
The Kansas City metropolitan area is never short of family-friendly activities. Especially with spring being right around the corner, there are plenty of things to do around town for every family member to have a good time. If you’re looking to make some memories this year, here are some top things to do with your family around Kansas City this spring.
Photo: KC Today
Explore the Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s Market season is almost here. Most markets start their season officially in April, and some of them collaborate with local monthly art walks and feature rotating vendors on top of the regular ones.
If you live in the city limit, City Market, Brookside, and Midtown all have their own farmer’s markets, with City Market being the largest one in the area. If you live on the Kansas side, the KCK Farmer’s Market is a must-go. Southern suburbs can explore Olathe, Overland Park, Mission, and Merriam markets, whereas North/Northeastern sides have Independence, Gladstone, and Blue Springs markets.
Photo: The Rabbit hOle
Visit the Rabbit hOle Museum
The Rabbit hOle in North Kansas City is an immersive museum for children’s literature, and it sure gets “curiouser and curiouser.” Take your little reader to this spot and geek out together. There are murals, interactive sculptures, and plenty of cozy reading spots for adults and children alike to embark on an innocent and imaginative journey.
Additionally, The Rabbit hOle also hosts regular story hours for children and has a full-service children’s bookstore on-site for the passionate young reader in your family.
Photo: Kansas City Zoo
Fun at the Kansas City Zoo
Who doesn’t love animals? Nobody! A spring outing at the Kansas City Zoo should honestly become a family tradition. Bring your kiddos to the zoo and interact with the penguins, giraffes, monkeys, and everybody else. We bet you won’t even notice time passing! Don’t forget that a ticket to the Zoo also grants you access to the Sobela Ocean Aquarium at any time of the day.
Photo: KC Parks & Rec
Draw the Roses at Loose Park
Have an artsy kid at home? Why not bring a sketchbook and some art supplies to Loose Park for a plein air day? Loose Park is stunning throughout the year, but extraordinarily so during late spring and early summer when the flowers are blooming. Whether it is the weeping willow dancing above the water or the colorful roses climbing up an arch, you and your family are sure to have an unforgettable time.
The Blue Crew at the arboretum. Photo: Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping
Stroll Through the Overland Park Arboretum
If you need some time to bond with your teenager or new college student, take them for a stroll through the Overland Park Arboretum, known for its sculpture walk. Or, bring your parents and reminisce about the time when you were little. This place is tranquil, vibrant, and full of positive energy, especially in the spring. Step away from the busy city and enjoy a moment of peace to reconnect with your families — cuz why not? The blue crew even held our company photo shoot at the Arboreatum last fall because of the wonderful landscape setting and architectural features.
Photo: Yaya’s Alpaca Farm
Pet Some Alpacas at Yaya’s
Yaya’s Alpaca Farm in Garden City is a hidden gem. It’s a bit of a drive, but totally worth the time. As the name suggests, the farm is all about alpacas. With the tour, you’ll receive food for feeding and get to gently pet and touch the fluffy animals. You will also learn about the characteristics of alpaca wool and even create a unique fiber art piece as with your group using the farm’s machinery.
Farm tours are available at two time slots: 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each tour lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. Tickets are $12 per person 14+ years old and $10 per child between 3 and 13 years old.
Photo: KCCG
Volunteer at a Community Garden
Create meaningful memories by volunteering together at a community garden. The Kansas City Community Garden (KCCG) website has a garden map so you can find a garden near you to volunteer. These gardens are an integral part of Kansas City’s efforts in combating food insecurity and neighborhood development. Cultivate KC is another great spot to look for garden volunteering opportunities.
So, if you’re looking for family-friendly activities in Kansas City this spring, why not do some good and learn something new? Volunteering at a community garden can teach you and your kiddos basic landscaping and gardening skills you can implement at home.
The climate in the Midwest is perfect for growing different vegetables throughout the year. While many believe fall to be the harvest season, did you know there are plenty of early spring vegetables you can grow in Kansas City so you can enjoy the fruit of your labor as soon as possible?
When to Plant Early Spring Vegetables in Kansas City
You can only plant after the last spring frost. Otherwise, your seeds will freeze to death. The average last frost days in Kansas City this year is April 11 to 20. However, keep in mind these dates are estimated based on historic data. Therefore, there is still a 10% chance for frost damage right after this window. However, frost kills are nearly impossible.
Tools and Supplies You Need
Depending on your garden setup, you don’t always need extensive farm tools to get things going. Here are the basic tools and supplies you need to grow early spring vegetables in Kansas City:
Shovels
Rakes (small, hand-held rakes work for small gardens)
Hoes (hand-held hoes, again, work for small gardens)
Protective gloves
Garden hose
Bamboo or metal sticks for plants to grow upright
Wire cages for certain plants, such as tomatoes
Pruning shears
If you have a big garden, investing in a battery or gas-powered tiller could save you lots of time and effort. Garden carts and wheelbarrows also come in handy. Depending on your situation, a weeder might also be necessary to prepare your garden for spring.
Early Spring Vegetables to Plant in Kansas City
Kansas City’s spring is generally mild and abundant in rainfall. The temperature differences between day and night can be challenging for some crops and the heavy storms mean you’d want to have well-draining soils to prevent water damage to the seeds. Therefore, cool, shady vegetables are your best bet when it comes to planting early.
Here is a list of the best early spring vegetables to plant in Kansas City:
Asparagus
Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Collards
Kale
Lettuce
Mustard
Onions
Parsley
Peas
Potatoes
Radish
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Many of these crops, such as radishes, have a very short maturity time. Therefore, they can be succession planted all the way through summertime. Others, such as kale and lettuce, don’t do well in hot weather at all. Knowing the characteristics of each early spring vegetable to plant in Kansas City can help you plan ahead of time and maximize your harvest throughout the year.
Garden Boxes vs. Direct Planting
There are many options for backyard vegetable gardens, one of them being garden boxes. These boxes are easy to build and not too expensive to buy, and sit slightly above the ground like a raised garden bed. They help create a neat grid system that keeps your gardening soil contained.
Or, you can simply choose an area in the backyard as the vegetable garden and directly plant into the soil. This method works best if you have a small backyard that makes garden boxes unfeasible.
Adding a Garden to Your Existing Landscape
The easiest way for you to add a garden to your existing landscape is by working with a professional landscaping company because the task is not as simple as it sounds.
Adding a new garden to your existing landscape can take some planning. If you are digging into the soil instead of using boxes, you must call the city to mark the utilities before digging. You must also consider accessibility (paths), tool storage, fencing and separation, and decorative elements.
Leave all the tasks to us and schedule a consultation today. We will take care of everything so you can enjoy the fun of growing your own vegetables in the backyard!
Don’t let all the investments you’ve already made into your landscape go to waste. Now is the perfect time to do a quick sweep and conduct basic maintenance before warmer weather and spring storms fully unfold. Here are 8 things you should do to prepare your landscape for the spring season.
Spring garden care with cleaning and pruning. Photo: Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping
1. Prune plants
Spring pruning removes dead branches and maintains the proper form of your plants. Think of the adorable round bushes and even edges you see in a well-maintained front yard: that’s the fruit of regular pruning.
Pruning can also stimulate growth in some perennial plants. By cutting back severely, you allow them to generate all new growth. This technique, known as rejuvenating pruning, should be done annually or every 3 to 5 years before spring arrives because you need to wait until you see new leaves sprouting off the branches to know how far you can cut back.
2. Clean debris and dead branches
Kansas City’s winter tends to have many storms and strong winds, especially this year. Now that the weather is milder, take the opportunity to clean up any debris in your lawn, backyard, and flower beds. Not only are debris an eyesore, they can also kill off the grass and plants underneath them.
Now is also a good time to remove dead plants and broken branches.
3. Divide your perennials
Dividing your perennials is a cost-effective way to gain new plants without restarting from bulbs or spending a fortune to buy new pots. It also keeps your older perennials healthy by controlling growth.
To divide a perennial, dig up the entire plant, shake soil off the roots, then carefully separate the root bulb into smaller sections. Each section should contain roots and three to five healthy shoots. Replant them promptly and water to hold the soil in position.
The Blue Crew is repairing pavers. Photo: Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping
4. Hardscape maintenance
Check stones and pavers for frost heaves, and look for damage on your decks and patios. You’d want everything patched, fixed, and cleaned before family activities begin. You should also clean up any outdoor furniture you didn’t put away over the winter and repair or replace things as needed.
5. Mulching and Fertilization
You can’t plant any early spring vegetables until after the last day of frost, usually in mid- to late-April. This gives you plenty of time to lay down fresh mulch and fertilizer to replenish the nutrients in your soil.
You can also lay down pre-emergent herbicide to kill any new weed seeds once the soil temperature is above 55°F. However, remember that you can’t seed over the same area right away because the herbicide will also suppress normal grass growth. In this case, it’s best to wait till later in the season to seed altogether.
6. Check Your Drainage Systems
Clean your gutters and downspouts before Kansas City’s spring storm season arrives. If you use trenches, dry creek beds, or rain gardens, you should also check to ensure nothing is blocking the drainage and the structures are in good shape.
What’s spring without planting new things? Now is a good time to add new trees, shrubs, and flowers, especially early-blooming perennials, so you can still catch some flowers before their seasons are over.
If you’re struggling with choosing what plants to add, consider subscribing to a seasonal plant delivery service to take the hassle out of your agenda.
8. Tune up your equipment
Nobody wants to find out their lawnmower has died before they start mowing. It’s important to inspect all your power equipment before you actually need to use it so you can promptly repair or replace anything that’s no longer working.
Landscape Maintenance in the Spring
Landscape maintenance in the spring is crucial because it ensures you start the new season on the right foot. These 8 tasks will help you prepare your landscape for spring, although there are always more to do if you want to go the extra mile. Therefore, we recommend that you invest in landscape maintenance, especially garden and turf care. Having a professional to take care of your landscape ensures your yards always look healthy and pleasant and frees you up from having to handle every maintenance task yourself.
How did the historically severe blizzard treat you this year? While Kansas City may not have the worst winter in the U.S., we are not immune from heavy snow, freezing storms, and violent winds. When harsh weather is present, having the right type of generator for your home is key because the last thing you’d want is to have no backup during a power outage.
There are three common types of home generators that will keep you protected during outages caused by winter weather:
Standby generators: also known as whole-house generators, designed to support core major appliances or the entire home
Portable generators: designed to support small appliances such as a space heater or keeping your lights on
Inverter generators: produce electric currents to charge your phones, tablets, laptops, etc
Types of Home Generators
Type
Cost
Capacity
Home standby generator
$5,000 – $25,000
Whole house
Portable generator
$400 – $5,000 depend on capacity
Can support one or two key appliances
Inverter generator
$500 – $2,000 for most standard models, but medium and large models can cost a lot more
Mainly for sensitive, complex electronic devices like your phone, laptops, or modern appliances
Home Standby Generator
Home standby generators, also known as whole-house generators, are the most powerful type of home generator and the only type of generator designed to actually power your major house appliances during an outage, such as HVAC, refrigerator, electric stove, lights, and the security system in your home.
Home standby generators cost from $5,000 to $25,000 on average, depending on brand, model, and output capacity. Most standby generators have an output between 20 and 26 kW, though higher-end models can go up to 30 kW.
Portable Generator
Portable generators vary in cost and capacity. Smaller portable generators can cost as little as $400, whereas more robust ones can go up to $5,000. While these generators cannot keep your house running on full capacity during an outage, they will be able to keep a space heater or a few lights running for a couple of hours while you wait for power to be restored. Their output capacity typically ranges from 500 to 3,000 Watts.
For safety considerations, your portable generators should be placed on the outside of your house and at least 20 feet away from windows, vents, and doors. This protects you from carbon monoxide poisoning, which kills approximately 70 people each year in the U.S.
Inverter Generator
Ranging from $50 to over $5,000, inverter generators are designed for sensitive electronic devices, such as your phones, tablets, laptops, or smart TVs and ACs. These generators convert AC electric current into DC electric current, then invert it back into AC for a cleaner energy output.
Small inverters, or recreational inverters, mainly only work with your phones or laptops. However, medium and large inverters can safely power a heating unit, your smart refrigerator, and a few other things.
Large, high-capacity portable generators are essential for those living in areas that frequently lose power due to inclement weather.
Types of Generators by Fuel Usage
Most generators use one of the following fuel options: gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane. Each type of fuel comes with unique advantages and challenges.
Gasoline: Primarily used by portable generators that need less frequent refueling due to its shorter shelf life and flash-point temperature.
Diesel: Works for whole-house generators or standalone generators mounted to a trailer. Fuel may run out and needs to be replenished regularly.
Natural Gas: one of the most efficient and cleanest fuel options. No refueling needed as natural gas generators are directly connected to your gas supply line. But is subjected to outages and cutoffs during natural diaster. Also requires more routine maintenance.
Propane: Usually used as an alternative to gas generators not connected to the supply line or when the natural gas supply is down. Less efficient, but has an extremely long shelf life. Natural gas generators need a conversion kit to use propane.
How to Choose the Right Generator for Your Home
Finding the right generator is key for your home’s safety and comfort without burning your budget. Generally speaking, you should take into account the minimum necessary wattage for core appliances, the outage frequency and severity in your area, and your funds when evaluating different home generator options.
Know Your Wattage
What is the minimum wattage needed to keep your home comfortable during an outage? For most single-family homes, a portable or inverter generator with an output between 5,000 to 8,000 watts would be more than sufficient to keep the heater, refrigerator and a few lights running. Apartment complexes or multi-family homes typically rely on higher capacity generators to ensure core functions shared by all units, such as central heating and cooling, are not interrupted. This also means if you live in an apartment, you may opt for a smaller portable generator to run a space heater during the winter for emergency purposes, or rely on a recreational inverter to keep your phones and small electronics powered.
Know Your Outages
Do you have inclement weather that leads to frequent outages? The more outages you have each year, the more you’ll want a trustworthy generator. Outage frequency also affects your generator fuel type. Small or mid-sized propane generators would make more sense if you barely ever have an outage since propane tanks can sit on the shelf for a long time without deteriorating. On the other hand, those who frequently lose power in the winter might want to invest in a standby generator or a large portable generator.
For example, the latest blizzard left thousands of homes in Kansas City without power. In situations like this, having a portable generator at home would definitely come in handy. If you live in more remote areas where it may take longer to restore power, you may consider investing in a standby generator. However, those living on the city grid might do just fine with a medium-capacity portable that can keep them warm until the power comes back on.
Know Your Budget
Finally, your budget naturally poses some restrictions on the types of generators you can afford. As a rule of thumb, inverter generators cost more than their portable counterparts with the same output because they produce cleaner, safer energy. Then, standby generators, or whole-house generators, will almost always be the heftiest investment.
A standby generator costs between $2,000 and $30,000 with automatic start functions or up to $10,000 with a manual start. A portable generator strong enough to power major home appliances costs approximately $2,000 or more, whereas smaller, lower-capacity portable generators can cost as little as a couple hundred dollars. Fuel type, inverter vs. non-invertor, manufacturer, and warranty coverage also affect the price.
