In the Garden: Fall is great time to plant perennials
K-State horticultural expert outlines good options for Kansas landscapes
At a glance: A colorful garden of spring and summer flowers often begins with some good choices made in the fall, says Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini.
More information: Cynthia Domenghini, Cdom@ksu.edu
Photo: Cynthia Domenghini
Related: K-State Horticulture Newsletter | Kansas Garden Guide | Prairie Bloom Perennial Flowers
Gaillardia is among the perennials that are hardy during times of drought.
Sept. 4, 2025
By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. – A Kansas State University horticulture expert says that while fall is a great time to plant perennials, selecting the right plants for the Kansas landscape is important.
Cynthia Domenghini says that for fall planting, it’s best to wait until the weather is cool, but far enough in advance for the roots to establish before the ground freezes.
She shared a list of plants that can tolerate drought once established:
Perennials: Aster, Monada, Butterfly Weed, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Gaillardia, Garden Phlox, Black-eyed Susan.
Herbs: Artemisia, Basil, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Thyme.
Ornamental grasses: Big Blue Stem, Blue Fescue, Fountain Grass, Switchgrass, Porcupine Grass.
Shrubs: Lilac, Forsythia, Rose of Sharon, Cotoneaster, Viburnum, Ninebark, Mockorange, Juniper, Japanese Flowering Quince.
“Though these plants will be tolerant to drought once established, they will need supplemental water initially, especially during hot periods,” Domenghini said.
Domenghini and her colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens.
Interested persons can subscribe to the newsletter, as well as send their garden and yard-related questions by email to hortsupport@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.
K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.