Choose Your Own Adventure!

Plan Your Summer Road Trip Out to Powell Gardens

AS SPRING TRANSFORMS into a lush, summer landscape, there’s no better time to enjoy the great outdoors! And what better way to see all that nature has to offer than with a road trip to your botanical garden—Powell Gardens?

DEAR MEMBERS,

By the time this magazine is in your hands, Powell Gardens’ 2023 season will be in full swing! Similar and different every year, the Gardens’ experience changes every day as reflected in the plants and nature around us.

It was a joy to see so many Gardens’ Members and visitors from the region enjoy the exhibition, Orchid Delirium during March and April. The indoor, subtle beauty and orchidpopping experience brought style, vibrancy, and warmth to the early days of spring. Painted Garden saw some visitors strolling through springtime transitions in the rain under clear umbrellas. The Gardens’ next series of programs includes the second year of family-centric Fortopia (Memorial Day-Labor Day, page 4) and annual favorite Festival of Butterflies (July 20-August 6, page 6) – redesigned for 2023!

We launched engaging new activities starting with a Galentines gathering and Valentine’s date night in February. Flowering tea selections were offered during weekend mornings in March and April. Orchid Delirium activated Powell Gardens’ orchid collection in a botanical splendor, complete with three orchid-viewing locations. The Gardens also piloted a brand-new evening series, Second Saturdays (page 11) and a Rose’ & Croquet event with exciting lawn games, bites, and beverages during Painted Garden.

This year, we anticipate welcoming the Gardens’ third CEO. This important initiative considered the needs of Powell Gardens today and with focus on the Master Plan for the years ahead. The board of directors’ selection committee led the search initiative, conducted interviews, and included staff leaders in the selection process. While waiting in anticipation, Gardens’ staff continue their commitment to the care, nurturing and engagement activities throughout the campus. As we introduce each of you to our next CEO, know we are looking toward the future of Powell Gardens together.

Your support - and continued support - makes what happens at Powell Gardens happen every day. Thank you for choosing to support Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden. Without your visitation, membership, and donations, our work, on your behalf, would not be possible.

In appreciation,

Mark Zimmerman COO | Interim CEO

As a member, you not only receive complimentary admission for as many as your membership level allows, but you also have no limit on how many times you visit. Check out the recommended itineraries below and choose your own Powell Gardens adventure!

For The Outdoors Enthusiast

This itinerary is perfect for those looking to go the extra mile with their visit at Powell Gardens. Discover our trail system and Midwest Foraging exhibition together!

• Check in at the Visitor Center.

• Grab a snack, water, and make sure your hiking boots are securely fastened.

• Head northeast through the Conifer Garden and Fountain Garden.

• Arrive at the Byron Schutz Nature Trailhead.

• Hike the Family Discovery Loop (1 mile loop) or the Prairie Ridge Trail (3.25 miles)

• Look for blue plant tags in the Heartland Harvest Garden, Butterfly Meadow, or along the Family Discovery loop before, during, or after your hike

• Head back over to the Fountain Garden and enjoy the refreshing splash pad. Stay tuned for more information on Trail Days (June 3 and September 30). Mark your calendars now and make sure you’re on our email list!

For The Curious Collector

Find all our publicly displayed collections with this itinerary just for the curious at heart.

• Check in at the Visitor Center.

• View the Grand Hall terrarium display (April 1-October 15).

For The Budding Botanical Enthusiasts

• Check in at the Visitor Center.

• Stock up on snacks and waters at The Marketplace.

• Journey to the East Lawn for Fortopia (May 25September 4) after enjoying the Visitor Center Terraces.

• After discovering a city of forts, journey over to the Children’s Garden for additional play. Walk on garden tool balance beams, plant your own garden, and climb up in oversized Adirondack chairs for a photo opportunity. Close by are eight raised beds with different themes each year.

• After a day of play, cool off with the Fountain Garden’s splash pad.

Option Add-On: Interested in a family hike? Swap out the Children’s Garden exploration for a Family Discover Loop hike. This one-mile trail meanders through wooded and aquatic ecosystems and is classified as Trail Class 2 (Easy)—perfect for novice hikers!

• View the carefully curated terrariums in the Grand Hall (April 1-October 15).

• Stroll the Visitor Center Terraces to the Stumpery Garden, which features a staghorn fern living wall beginning May 26.

• Take the scenic route across the bridge to the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden, where you’ll find our lotus and waterlily collections certified by International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society.

• Head back across the bridge, toward the Millstone Fountain, where you will pass through the Conifer Garden, a certified reference garden by the American Conifer Society. Don’t forget to search for the newest additions to this space—bonsai trees and shrubs!

• Stop by Garden Galleries where you can view the new crevice garden filled with cacti and succulents along with expertly designed succulent walls.

Pro-Tip: Desert Days (June 24-25) and Waterlily Wonders (August 12-13) celebrate two of our many collections at Powell Gardens.