Overland Park had outdated definition of weeds. Ordinance changed, to delight of bees
Something new could be sprouting up in the gardens of Overland Park this growing season.
The city has updated an ordinance — known as the city’s weed and vegetation enforcement act — that has guided gardeners on what plants are deemed noxious. The ordinance had an outdated definition of weeds.
“This ordinance was updated specifically to make sure the city was making it easier to allow residents to be good stewards of our natural environment,” said Meg Ralph, communications manager of the city manager’s office.
While interest in sustainable landscaping has grown substantially, choices often were limited in Overland Park because the 2011 ordinance listed some plant species as weeds.
“Some of the plants on that list were native, valuable to native wildlife and pollinators, and even promoted as plants to include in stormwater cost-share applications,” Ralph said.
Ralph said specific native plants that were previously prohibited but allowed under the new ordinance include Canada goldenrod, daisy fleabane, dogbane, fall panicum, hoary verbena, ironweed, milkweed, Pennsylvania smartweed, purpletop grass, sagewort, tall thistle and wild four-o’clock.
“It’s important to note that many natives have invasive cousins with similar names,” she said.
“For example, many non-native thistles spread by rhizomes and are very invasive, whereas the tall thistle does not. It’s important to check the scientific name of the plant or ask an expert if you are unsure,” Ralph said.
“Most native plant nurseries have extensive information on their available plants to help gardeners.”
Stormwater cost-share offsets costs
Overland Park started its stormwater cost-share program in 2011 as a way to encourage both residents and businesses to incorporate stormwater management strategies on their properties by offsetting some costs and providing resources.
The updated ordinance in Overland Park now allows the planting of any native plant — with the exception of poison ivy — and allows those plants to grow to their full mature height.
“As long as the native plant beds have clearly defined boundaries, are kept free of invasive and unintended vegetation, and have a buffer zone to keep them off your neighbor’s property, you can get creative with what you plant,” Ralph said. “This allows residents to add rain gardens where they are needed most, including in front yards, or turn a large portion of their yard into habitat for pollinators if they so choose, without having to be a professional landscape designer.”
The updated ordinance also removed the city’s definition of weeds. Now the city relies on the Kansas Department of Agriculture on what weeds are harmful.
These are important changes, said Overland Park Councilman Logan Heley, a member of the city’s Legacy of Greenery committee, which participated in the ordinance update.
“Our community has a growing appreciation for native plants and trees and the many benefits they provide that you just don’t get from turf grass and non-native plants,” Heley said.
“Not everyone can or wants to eliminate their lawn entirely, but if we each had even a small patch of native plants, it would go a long way toward providing essential habitat for many increasingly threatened bird, bee, butterfly and insect species that have a much larger impact on the health of our overall ecosystem than most people realize.”
Under the updated ordinance, noxious weeds as defined by the Kansas Department of Agriculture are still not allowed. These are plants listed as Category A, B or C noxious weeds in Kansas’ administrative regulations. For the list, go here (to agriculture.ks.gov and search weeds).
Overland Park’s stormwater cost share program opened for applications on April 1. Go here (to opkansas.org, search stormwater cost-share) for more information on that program.
Need to stock up on native plants? For more information about the upcoming plant sale at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, go here (to artsandrec-op.org, search events).
