Our favorite perennials for Omaha landscapes

We tried to make this list consist only of plants commonly available in the Omaha area, just in case you wanted to run to the nursery with my advice. This list is also focused on perennials that like it best in full sun.

Russian Sage my all-time best plant friend, no pests, looks and smells great, architecturally striking and long-lasting flowers
ornamental grasses Miscanthus “Morning Light” and zebra grass are probably my favorite, but there are so many to choose from, terrific for winter interest and shelter for little creatures
Bluestem grass big and little, the state grass of Nebraska
Penstemon many exciting new cultivars are available besides “Husker Red” including the beautiful “Red Rocks”
Artemesia a wonderful silver foliage plant with a captivating scent
Nepeta it never wants to quit blooming and has few pests
Butterfly Weed don’t let the name fool you, Asclepias Tuberosa is well- behaved and a butterfly treat
Coreopsis more than just “Moonbeam”
Salvia pest resistant, “May Night” and “Rose Queen” are both excellent edging plants
“Autumn Joy” Sedum old folks call this plant the “Live Forever” plant with good reason, this is also another plant with four season interest
creeping Sedums so many choices, mixing them together can make an interesting tapestry to the garden’s edges, walls, and cracks
Ajuga some call this plant “living mulch” because of the way it spreads and covers open spots in the garden without becoming invasive, lovely spring flowers
Yarrow Some varieties can become unruly if left unattended, but Yarrow is a butterfly favorite as well as one of the longest blooming perrenials
Shasta Daisies can also spread a bit, but the classic white flowers are a spring treat and a favorite of children’s bouquets
Rudbeckia Black-eyed Susan looks great planted in mass or alone
Echinacea Purple Coneflower illustrates well the beauty of the prairie
BeeBalm Monarda has a wonderful spicy fragarance and is a favorite of pollinators, powdery mildew must be watched for
Hyssop Another pollinator favorite, “Apricot Sunrise” makes a great partner to Russian Sage
Sage herbs are more than just useful in the perennial garden, they are mostly pest resistant, and beautiful as well
Chives step outside with the scissors and brighten up that baked potato, chives also have beautiful rounded flowers in spring
ornamental Oregano another great edging plant with long lasting flowers, the maroon foliage provides a great contrast with silver plants
Lamb’s Ears a favorite of the child in all of us, an indespensible edging plant
Peonies when the Peonies burst into bloom Omaha knows summer is just a breath away
Asters wonderfall for bringing late-fall color to the garden
Phlox creeping or upright, phlox are an old favorite
Daylilies so many choices of color, great for controlling erosion, even the common daylilly brings life to neglected alleyways in summer
Balloon Flower such interesting flowers mostly in blue and white
Columbine I love the way they hybridize, and the flowers are the coolest
Goldenrod many newer cultivars have been developed to bring this plant into the gardening mainstream, the state flower of Nebraska

Contact Blooming Prairie

Jason Krivanek, owner
(402) 980-0073
JJKriv29@msn.com
Omaha, Nebraska

Words of Wisdom

“We will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”

Baba Dioum, conservationist

“One recent study showed that the average American spends 84% of his or her life indoors... The most important initial action that people can take on behalf of the environment is to become more intimate with the land, plants, and animals of their home, and with their ancestral heritage. We should seek out the beliefs and customs that our ancestors used to maintain harmony with nature, and follow their lead.”

James Swan, activist for indigenous peoples

 

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