OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Lauritzen Gardens lost the majority of its daffodils this year due to dry and cold soil throughout winter, prompting a shift in planting strategy that could help homeowners facing similar conditions.
Victoria Schoell-Schafer, Lauritzen Gardens chief operating officer, said the garden experienced what she called a crop failure on early to mid-season daffodils.
“It definitely feels like it’s gotten drier over the years, or we hit more extremes, so it has changed our attitude with plantings,” Schoell-Schafer said.
The garden is now focusing on perennials, which can last five to 10 years, rather than annuals.
“Annuals take a lot of water and when we have these 90 degree days they need water every day — so we try to rely less on annuals and more on the color perennials because they last throughout the season,” Schoell-Schafer said.
Planting perennials means less water used, less crop failure and less replanting needed each season, saving time and money when the climate gets dry.
“Perennials are a great choice for water, for habitat — which means helping birds, pollinators, and other insects. The Gardens is a great place to come walk around and find which perennials you like and then go to your local nursery and ask them for those,” Schoell-Schafer said.
Schoell-Schafer said certain types of grass, including bluestem and prairie dropseed, can do better in drier, warmer weather. Both are short options for lawns.
She suggested PlantNebraska for more information on good plants for home gardens and lawns.
Despite the dry spell, Schoell-Schafer said nature will recover.
“Never count out nature. When the rains come, the plants will respond,” she said.
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