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editor’s notes
Overwinter wither
As the fall season was winding down, I was preparing my garden (and my mind) for winter’s approach. Many of the plants had gone dormant, leaving naked trees and perennials with dried foliage. Such is the bleakness of state.
In contrast, my Macho and Kimberly Queen ferns were healthy and vibrant, growing strong. It seemed a shame to lose them to winter weather. I toyed with the idea of overwintering the ferns along with a croton that had plenty of good days ahead. Seriously, how hard can it be? You bring them inside where it is warm. Water when the soil is dry. Do not fertilize. Place back outside when the last frost date has passed. Easy peasy, right?
Once moved inside, I saw the enormity of these plants. They take up so much space! But I loved all the greenery and the positive energy it generated. Situated on cedar caddies, it was easy to rearrange them as I found their permanent spots. That, my friends, was the easiest day.
It wasn’t long before the fern foliage began to drop. Day after day the floor was littered with dried up
brown bits from the fronds. I imagined this was a transition result, a rejection of placement. So after I cleaned up, I had a little chitty chat with my new office mates. “Look you guys,” I said, “this is a friendly environment. It may not be ideal, or even what you’re used to, but it’s only temporary.”
The croton seemed content, so I let that sleeping dog lie.
I was keeping track of watering, while careful not to overwater, and decided patience was in order. Allow what will be. The rest was out of my control.
We continued our foliage-dropto-cleanup dance for weeks. Then the croton started to decline. One leaf drop. Then another. Then two. Then every time the cat walked by, another leaf would fall. I couldn’t bear to watch for another day. All three went to the curb.
After time to reflect, I deduced that the problem was lack of warmth and humidity. Particularly, it was temperature. We keep our home cool. Apparently too cool for ferns and crotons.
A little more research, I discovered that cutting off the Kimberly
Queen foliage completely was an option. The objective? Simply, keep the roots alive. No mess. Just water once a week. After last frost date, fertilize and put it back outside. Hmph!
Another gardening fail. Or was it? I did learn that overwintering plants in my home is not a good idea. It was more like bring them inside and watch them wither. Where’s the joy in that? Honestly, I’m glad to let them go. I don’t need another plant to care for. The fig and philo are enough.
I’ll see you in the garden!
GARDENING ON A BUDGET
Question: I’m excited about starting a vegetable garden this year, but I am also aware of how costly gardening can become. Do you have any tips to keep me from breaking the bank?
Anthony’s Answer: Having a vegetable garden can quickly accumulate costs, but don’t fret just yet! With a bit of forethought, these costs can be minimized. The key to affordable gardening is creativity and resourcefulness. When starting your garden, Keep in mind, “What do I already have, what can I get with minimal spending, and what could I get for free? Is there any junk lying around the house that can be repurposed?”
With plants, consider looking at local seed libraries or exchanging seeds you currently have with a neighbor who has different ones. Many dollar stores have seed packets available as well, depending on the timeliness of when you are looking for them. You could even consider saving the seeds from fruits and vegetables you eat, bearing in mind that these will not likely be true to the original fruit due to cross pollination. This variability is not necessarily a drawback, however. Hybrids can lead to unexpected and unique traits, offering a chance to discover new flavors, colors, or growth habits and, more importantly in this scenario, placing fruit-producing plants in your garden at minimal cost.
Elsewhere, consider planting perennials like asparagus, rhubarb, and berry bushes to ensure long-term harvests that pays off over time. With all of your plants, use a mulch of leaves, grass clippings, or straw to
Ask the Experts
conserve moisture and reduce water requirements.
Look for free or inexpensive containers, such as repurposed buckets, old pots, or woven-plastic sacks, which can easily be adapted for growing plants. Trellises can be just as resourceful—consider us-
got me roses for Valentine’s Day last year. They were so beautiful when I received them, but some of the flowers flopped over in the first two days. What’s the secret to keeping my flowers looking great?
Markis’s Answer: Keeping your cut flowers for longer can be
Any fruit that might be sitting out should be kept away from the flowers. Fruits and dying plant material let off a gas called ethylene that can speed up the decay of flowers. Flower preservatives can be added to the water and sometimes are included with arrangements. Follow direc-
A bit of forethought can minimize costs of starting a vegetable garden. Extend the life of an arrangement.
ing sticks and twine, salvaged wire fencing, or even old bicycle wheels to create sturdy structures for climbing plants. Instead of buying costly fertilizers, start composting your kitchen scraps and yard waste to produce nutrient-rich soil amendments. When it comes to tools, check out local thrift stores or explore public libraries with community tool-lending programs.
Planning ahead is essential. Think creatively and leverage available resources to build a thriving garden while keeping expenses low.
GETTING THE MOST FROM FLORAL FLOWERS
Question: My significant other
challenging, but luckily, there are a handful of methods you can use to extend the life of your arrangement.
If you are getting a fresh arrangement still in plastic, you will need a vase and sharp scissors, knife, or pruners. You will need to cut about one inch off all of them while they are underwater. Having your cut at an angle will prevent damage to the vascular system. If the cut stem gets exposed to the air, air bubbles can block water uptake, resulting in a droopy flower. Removing any excess leaves from the stem will also benefit your flowers.
The location of your arrangement is also important. Keep flowers away from fans, vents, and heaters.
tions on the packet for best results. Another trick that isn’t mentioned enough is to put things away when you aren’t using them. Floral arrangements can be put in a refrigerator, with the exception of tropical flowers. Just don’t forget about fruit or vegetables that might also be in the fridge.
It is important to remember that these tips will only extend your arrangement for a couple of days. If you want to keep your roses for years, you will need to dry them by hanging them upside down in a dark, dry place for two to three weeks. Roses will keep their color, but many other common flowers used in arrangements will not.
ANTHONY REARDON | Horticulture Agents | MARKIS HILL
Anthony and Markis are the horticulture agents for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, each specializing in edible crops and ornamentals, respectively. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson. ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.
Hellebore, the Lenten Rose
February is a month synonymous with love, romance, and roses.
My favorite kind of rose is not a beautiful hybrid tea or an oldfashioned David Austin or a longstemmed rose from the florist. It’s the Lenten Rose or Winter Rose or Hellebore (Helleborus). It is an early blooming perennial that prefers shade to part shade locations. Growing in zones 4 to 9, it does great in our Midwest climate. The foliage is evergreen, but we at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens cover ours with evergreen boughs to protect it from the harsh winter winds. We use leftover holiday garland or cut greens from container decorating. In 2023 and 2024, our Hellebores started blooming in late February! They bloomed throughout the spring into May, which is astonishing, and makes them key players in the late winter/early spring landscape. I cherish walking through the gardens in February, peeking under the evergreen coverings to see if the flower buds have formed.
Hellebores have so many positive characteristics: grow well in low light conditions, long bloom time, do well under trees, and are low maintenance. They are also deer and rabbit resistant, which I know some plants claim to be then they aren’t. However, all parts of the Hellebore plant are toxic. The leaves produce poisonous alkaloids making them distasteful to animals. Personally, I have some plant sensitivities, yet I have never had an issue with Hellebores. That being said, every person is different and you should be aware of what you are working with.
In the spring when your Hellebores are starting to show signs of
blooming, go ahead and remove your protective evergreen covering. They are pretty tough and can handle some frost, but sometimes you will need to cover them back up if the temperatures drop significantly (below 30 degrees). We wait to clean up the foliage until after the frost-free date in the spring. I
understand the foliage can look a little tired, but it does provide a little warmth and protection for those flowers when the temperatures are cool.
The color choices are expansive and breeding on the genus is continuing to expand options and favorable traits. Some of the older variet-
ies had flowers that were downward facing. Although they are lovely, it’s not so fun to have to lay in the garden bed to see them. We have the varieties ‘Cinnamon Snow’, ‘Spring Party’ and multiple of the ‘Wedding Party’ series, all are upward facing, providing a better show. In terms of color, they range from white, pink, yellow, green, peach, red, purple and almost black. My absolute alltime personal favorite is ‘Black Diamond’. Black Diamond is a single upward facing bloom that is deep rich purple, almost black. Ours are planted under a redbud tree amongst Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia) and Daffodils (Narcissus).
The Wedding Party series has over sixteen cultivars to choose from, ranging from single light yellow ‘California Dreamin’ to many double flower forms. The classy white ‘Wedding Bells’ to the pinks and mauves of ‘Flower Girl’ and ‘Maid of Honor’. I do gravitate towards the burgundy and white veined ‘Whirlwind Romance’. All cultivars in the series have strong genetics and the number of flowers the Hellebore produces increases with each year they are in the ground.
‘Cinnamon Snow’ is my runnerup for favorite Hellebore variety. It has copious amounts of mauve pink flowers that fade to a light pink blush. The center is a light green highlighted by the yellow stamens. Flowers face up for you to enjoy.
So, for your love, or for yourself, buy a Winter Rose (Helleborus) this February. Or how about a gift card to a local nursery to find one when the temperatures warm up. You will be rewarded each and every spring with beauty and reminded of love.
Anne Wildeboor is long-time Horticulturist at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
ANNE WILDEBOOR Horticulturist
Black Diamond
Helleborus Wedding Bells
Photo by provenwinners.com.
Cinnamon Snow
Photos by Anne Wildeboor.
EARTH RIGHT SUPER STUFF® is the perfect product to apply in spring, especially before a rain. Prepare soil now for better turf & great gardens. Use in containers at a rate of 1 oz/ga to prepare plants for transplant & loosen up root bound conditions. Only use in clay pots if they are glazed inside.
THE MUSHROOM STUFF® will quick start your spring garden, shrubs & trees. Use in containers at a rate of 1 oz/ga 2ce/yr. Use when transplanting. If starting seed put 1/4 oz/in 32 oz RTU sprayer. When seeds germinate to 1/2 inch lightly spray soil & water in. Root systems will take off!!!
SURE BLOOM® NATURAL & SURE BLOOM® 6-7-6 contain vitamins, trace minerals, enzymes & organic acids not found in most fertilizers. Experience great results in rdens, around trees & shrubs & on the lawn. Seedlings can be fertilized at 2 inches after roots established.
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Kids Ask Dr. Bug about the curious things found in the garden
Why are some insects so bright and others are boring brown?
Have you ever seen a bright yellow butterfly or a shiny green beetle and wondered why they’re so colorful? Or maybe you’ve noticed how many insects are brown or camouflaged. There are some fascinating reasons for this!
Bright colors
• Attracting mates: Some insects use vibrant hues to attract mates. For example, butterflies with bright blue patches or fireflies flashing their lights on a summer night are trying to get noticed by potential partners. Fireflies use bioluminescence—light produced by a chemical reaction—to communicate their intentions.
• Warning predators: For other insects, striking coloration serves as a warning sign. These insects are often poisonous or have a nasty sting. Their vibrant colors signal to predators, “Stay away! I’m dangerous!” This phenomenon is called aposematism. Monarch butterflies, for instance, will taste bad to many predators, and their bright orange wings warn birds to avoid them.
Dull colors
• Camouflage: Many insects are brown, green, or gray, which helps them blend in with their surroundings. This strategy is called camouflage. By camouflaging themselves, insects can hide from predators or sneak up
The bright colors of the swallowtail help attract a mate, and might also draw a hungry bird’s attention away from the important parts of the butterfly’s body.
on prey. Stick insects, for example, resemble twigs so closely that they become almost invisible to birds.
Mixed strategies
Blending and flashing: Some insects combine both strategies. Underwing moths, for example, have brown, camouflaged top wings and brightly colored orange underwings. When threatened, the moth flashes its colorful wings, startling predators. The flash of color can either scare predators into thinking the moth’s wings are eyes or confuse them, making it harder to spot the camouflaged insect when the color disappears.
Whether an insect is bright or dull depends on how the species has evolved while interacting with the environment.
Do bugs spread rabies?
This is a great question, and it’s important to know the answer. Ra-
TAMRA REALL
Horticulture Specialist
bies is a scary disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of mammals, and it can be fatal. But here’s the good news: insects do not spread rabies.
Rabies is caused by a virus that infects mammals. Mammals are animals with fur or hair that feed their babies milk, such as dogs, cats, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, bats, and humans. Insects, on the other hand, are invertebrates and very different from mammals! Other non-mammal animals like lizards, fish, birds, snakes, and frogs also cannot carry the rabies virus.
The rabies virus needs a warmblooded environment to survive and multiply. Since insects are coldblooded, they can’t carry the rabies virus. So, while insects can spread other diseases, you don’t have to worry about getting rabies from a mosquito bite.
When enjoying the wonders of nature, always exercise caution around wild or unfamiliar animals.
If you ever feel unwell after an interaction with an animal, consult your doctor.
Are all spiders venomous?
Nearly all spiders produce venom! But don’t worry—this doesn’t mean they’re all dangerous to humans. Most spiders inject venom through their fangs to subdue insects and other small creatures. However, most spiders have fangs that are too small or venom that is too weak to harm humans.
In the Midwest, only two types of spiders have venom that is medically significant to humans:
• Black widows: These spiders have a potent neurotoxin that can cause muscle pain, cramps, and other symptoms.
• Brown recluses: Their venom can cause tissue damage and create painful ulcers.
Orb weavers in the Uloboridae family are non-venomous spiders, lacking venom glands entirely. Instead, these spiders wrap their prey in silk threads and cover it in digestive enzymes. Then, when ready, they eat the prey.
Spider bites are rare, and serious reactions are even rarer. Most spiders are harmless to humans and are considered beneficial because they help naturally control insect populations.
Insects and spiders showcase a wide array of fascinating strategies to survive and thrive. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about these tiny creatures and appreciating the incredible diversity of the natural world!
Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugNGarden) is the horticulture specialist for MU Extension—Urban West Region. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833-TREE (8733), email mggkc. hotline@gmail.com, or visit www.extension.missouri.edu. Questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug
Gardeners Connect Free Speaker Series Area Cookbook Author Takes Us on Tour of Gardens of Portugal
Kansas
City-area
author of several cookbooks Judith Fertig has a special treat planned. An avid gardener herself, she loves visiting gardens for ideas and inspiration. She plans to share with a Gardeners Connect audience a program titled “The Gardens of Portugal.” She will present stories and photos she took on a recent tour from the capital city Lisbon north to Porto.
“The gardens are a mix of somewhat formal gardens that were created around religious shrines (holy springs on top of mountains), vineyards, and kitchen gardens,” Judith said. Gardens in Portugal are noted for using hand-painted tiles, she said.
The program starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater, Merriam, KS 66202. This program is part of the Gardeners Connect Free Speaker Series. Find out more about Gardeners Connect on Facebook or at GardenersConnect.org.
Judith is a novelist and cookbook
author who studied culinary arts in Paris at École de Cuisine La Varenne and The Cordon Bleu in London and Paris. She also attended the Iowa Writers Workshop and now lives in Kansas City.
Her cookbooks include “Heartland: The Cookbook,” “Prairie Home Cooking,” “All American Desserts,” “Techniques for Grilling Fish” and barbecue cookbooks coauthored with Karen Adler (“BBQ Bistro” and “Weeknight Grilling with the BBQ Queens”).
Her novels include “The Cake Therapist” (about a pastry chef who opens a bakery in her hometown, where a long-ago story must be told) and “The Memory of Lemon” (a sequel, the pastry chef navigates a divorce, explores a new relationship, and handles the reappearance of her long-absent father).
Judith has appeared on the Food Network and many TV and radio stations. She gives talks across the country, blogs, tweets, and posts on Facebook.
The Healthy Gardener Preparing Your Joints for the Garden
Throughout the winter months, you may be missing the activity level you achieve while busy in the garden. Do not fret, there are activities you can do now to achieve your daily exercise and prepare your body for peak gardening seasoning, ensuring your safety and well-being. The activity of choice will look different from person to person and that is okay! Today, we will talk through some examples that can work for you! You can choose one activity, or a combination of the following options to help prepare your joints for the busy season! If you are new to exercise or have concerns about starting a different exercise program, have a conversation with your doctor before starting.
Stretching
Stretching is important for keeping your joints healthy and flexible, especially if you spend a lot of time doing activities like gardening. When you stretch, it helps to loosen up tight muscles and increase your range of motion, making it easier to move without pain. In gardening, you often bend, squat, and reach, which can put stress on your joints. Regular stretching helps prevent stiffness and keeps your joints more flexible, so you can move more easily and avoid injury even during the winter months. Stretching also improves circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to your joints, helping them stay strong and healthy. This makes the gardening season more enjoyable and less likely to cause joint pain.
Resistance Training
Resistance training, which includes exercises like lifting weights or using resistance bands, can help protect your joints by strengthening the muscles around them. Many lifts mimic the moves used in the garden, making proper form important. Stronger muscles provide better support for your joints, reducing the pressure and stress they experience during daily activities. This can help prevent injuries and reduce the risk of joint pain. Additionally, resistance training improves bone density, which keeps bones strong and less likely to break. By building up muscles and bones, resistance training helps keep your joints stable and can even make everyday movements feel easier and less painful over time.
SIDNEY PATRICK Field Specialist
Walking
Walking is a low-impact exercise that can help protect and strengthen your joints over time. The activity has many benefits including promoting blood flow and flexibility. It lubricates the joints, reducing friction and preventing wear and tear. Regular walking also helps maintain a healthy weight, lowering the strain on weight-bearing joints like your knees and hips. Furthermore, the repetitive motion of walking can strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints, offering additional support and stability. Due to this, walking improves joint health and reduces the risk of joint pain and stiffness as we age.
Opportunities for Movement!
Through Extension, the University of Missouri has many program offerings that safely encourage movements like those discussed above. Check our website, https:// extension.missouri.edu/events, for up-to-date information about programs near you or join us virtually!
Sidney Patrick is a Field Specialist in Nutrition and Health Education with the University of Missouri Extension. She offers programming related to active aging, healthy eating, and physical activity in the Kansas City area. Email her at spatrick@missouri.edu for more information.
The Shrub Removal Guy
22, 2025
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Heritage Event & Arts Center • 109 Delaware St, Leavenworth, KS 66048 (913) 682-2122 • www.heritagecenter-leavenworth.com
Admission $2 per person Join us and enter to win 50/50 Raffle and Door Prizes! Leavenworth County Master Gardeners will be making presentations throughout the event.
Houseplants
101
Sat., February 8, 1:00pm
$40 // Preregister by Feb 7 — space is limited. In this workshop, we’ll cover basic houseplant care. We’ll provide plant lists detailing different maintenance levels and cultural requirements to help you select tropicals and succulents that will thrive in your home. You will take home a small tropical plant and 16-ounce bottle of Arber plant food to get your green thumb growing. Vinland Valley Nursery 1606 N 600 Rd | Baldwin City, KS 66006 | 785-594-2966
Count Birds, Beat Winter Blues
We diligently provide food, water, and shelter to keep birds happy and healthy. In return they brighten winter days with color and activity, and we marvel at their resilience. Did you know you can also help birds by watching them and reporting your findings? Expand your birding horizons and knowledge by dipping into “citizen science” this winter!
“Citizen Science” projects involve data collection by the public, creating collaboration between amateur naturalists and professional scientists to advance research and conservation goals. Free online databases allow projects to grow continually in size and number, with opportunities for everyone and every interest: weather, plants, insects, birds, and much more. Consider these options:
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a winter highlight for “hardcore” and casual birders alike, held every President’s Day weekend since 1998. Born of a partnership between Cornell University, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada, GBBC became an international event in 2013. It not only produces “snapshots” of global bird populations but welcomes people of all ages into the birding community. In 2024, observers in 210 countries identified almost 8,000 species! Kansas City area birders recorded a respectable total of 80 species. February 14-17, 2025, marks the 28th GBBC. Feeders aren’t essential; just choose a favorite location to watch birds for at least 15 consecutive minutes, one or more times during the weekend. Submit your sightings at www.birdcount.org/participate/.
Project FeederWatch (PFW) lasts from November to April. Why is this a prime counting period? Migration activity ceases from late fall to early spring, allowing for more accurate counts of winter-resident birds. Birds are easier to see perched on feeders and trees without concealing foliage. Recording sessions require counting on two consecutive days, but scheduling is flexible: you determine time of day, length of observation periods, and frequency of counts. However, to preserve data quality and consistency, you’re asked to follow specific guidelines from Cornell’s Project FeederWatch Handbook (www.feederwatch.org). Upon registration, you’ll receive an identification poster, plus Winter Bird Highlights and FeederWatch eNews. Fees are used to produce educational materials, maintain the FeederWatch database, and publish findings.
Last winter, FeederWatch expanded its scope to include reports
of sick or dead birds; interactions between birds; and predation events (birds as predators and prey). Counters may also record mammal sightings, habitat management activities, and personal reflections. Photographs are warmly welcomed. Participants say FeederWatch is “addictive,” allowing joyful immersion in the beauty of birds and their fascinating behaviors. Some watchers unfortunately lose interest, if they see the same species continually, or if they experience “birdless” days. They doubt that their observations have scientific value. Nothing could be further from the truth! “Three Billion Birds Lost,” a landmark 2019 report, could never have been written without years of citizen science data. PFW reports confirmed the dispersal of introduced House Finches and Eurasian Collared Doves throughout the U.S. Recently, data showed that House Finches’ winter range has rapidly expanded 400 miles northward (possibly due to milder winters and
supplemental feeding). Sadly, it also revealed that some “common” birds are slowly declining: 1 in 4 blue jays and 1 in 3 juncos and white-throated sparrows have disappeared in the past 50 years.
Want to try counting winter birds? Join Burroughs Audubon Society (BAS) volunteers at Fleming Park! Please check https:// burroughs.org/its-free/nature-center-bird-sanctuary/ for driving directions and any weather-related date changes. We look forward to seeing you soon. Happy Birding!
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 15-16
(12-4 pm Saturday and Sunday)
Enjoy refreshments and craft activities!
Project FeederWatch Counts
February 2-3, 16-17 March 2-3, 16-17, 30-31 April 6-7 (1-3 pm Sundays and Mondays)
BAS Nature Center
7300 SW West Park Rd Blue Springs, MO 64015
Elizabeth Stoakes is a past President of Burroughs Audubon Society in Kansas City and has been birding for over 25 years. Please contact BAS via mail@burroughs.org or text/call 816-795-8177 with any birding questions.
February is a month for roses and gardeners to rest, although it is important to continue measuring precipitation in our gardens and making sure there is enough compost or mulch covering the plants. Remember, Kansas City area rose gardens need one inch of water each month during the winter. Typically, every 10-13 inches of snowfall equals one inch of water. When there is little rain or snow, I wait for a day when the temperature is at least 50 degrees or higher and use my favorite small, circular sprinkler to water the entire bed for 10 or 15 minutes. If you have rose pots in your shed or garage, don’t forget to water them as well.
Midwestern Rose Gardens drivable from Kansas City February is a great time to make a list of beautiful nearby, and not so nearby, rose gardens to visit this summer. The following are some of my favorites, with distances measured from Kansas City’s Loose Park at 51st and Wornall Road.
• If you have not visited our hometown international awardwinning Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park, this is your first stop! The Rose Garden, de-
signed by famed landscape architect S. Herbert Hare, is close to 100 years old and showcases 3,000 roses of over 125 varieties. No fee. See the Rose Library at kansascityrosesociety.org.
• Wyeth-Tootle Mansion in St. Joseph, MO (61 miles) This small rose garden on the south side of the Mansion includes several favorite rose varieties and may be viewed for free without a tour of the Mansion. www.stjosephmuseum.org/wyeth-tootle-mansion
• Reinisch Rose Garden, Topeka, KS (72 miles) The Rose Garden features more than 4500 roses and 180 varieties. No fee. www.parks.snco.us/ Reinisch-Rose-Garden
• Botanica in Wichita, KS (195 miles) The Jessie Wooldridge Brosius Rose Garden, inspired by the round gardens of New Zealand, displays 300 roses with 63 varieties. Two of the four large rose beds are now no-spray (no fungicides or insecticides used) areas. Entry fee or free with an ARS (American Rose Society) or Powell Garden Membership. www.botanica.org
• Reiman Gardens at Iowa State
University, Ames, IA (233 miles) Reiman Gardens has a variety of roses, including the world’s largest collection of Buck roses, developed by Dr. Griffith Buck, a former Iowa State University professor. Buck roses are known for being easy to grow, disease resistant, and winter hardy. In addition, Reiman Gardens partners with ARTS (American Rose Trials for Sustainability) to evaluate new roses for their pest and disease resistance, winter hardiness, and flower abundance. The ARTS program uses a nospray, no fertilizer environment to evaluate roses. Entry fee. www.reimangardens.com
• Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO (247 miles) The Gladney Rose Garden features 900 roses, including many varieties of climbing roses seen on the fence enclosing the garden. The Anne and John Lehmann Rose Garden features 600 roses representing 154 varieties. Entry fee or free with Powell Garden Membership. www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
• Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL (543 miles) The
three-acre Krasberg Rose Garden displays more than 5,000 roses and over 200 varieties. In addition, The English Walled Garden features some climbing and shrub roses. Entry fee or free with an ARS membership. www.chicagobotanic.org
Please mark your calendar for Kansas City Rose Society’s annual, free spring Rose Program at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 29, at the Loose Park Garden Center. Laura Dickinson, KCRS President and ARS Master Consulting Rosarian, will present “A Rose for Every Garden.” After the Rose Program, Dana Flemming, Loose Park KC Parks Head Rosarian will demonstrate planting a bare root rose in the Rose Garden and take questions about the natural and organic fertilizer products used in the Rose Garden. Go to www.kansascityrosesociety.org to register for the in-person or FaceBook Live event. And don’t forget to send your rose questions this month to www. kansascityrosesociety.org. Click on “Grow Roses” at the top of the Home page, then “Ask an Expert.” Please follow us at Kansas City Rose Society on FaceBook or @kansascityrosesociety on Instagram!
Lauren English is the Kansas City Rose Society Garden Chair at the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park and an American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian. She can be reached at laurenenglish.kcrs@gmail.com or at the Ask a Rosarian hotline, kcrosehelp@gmail.com.
Chicago Botanic Rose Garden Loose Park Rose Garden Reinisch Rose Garden
Botanica Rose Garden
March 8, 2025
Registration: 7:30 – 8:00am
Workshop: 8:00a to 4:30p with breaks and lunch break
Learn about Honey Bee Biology, Equipment, Acquiring and Installing bees, Seasonal Management, Bee Diseases, Pest Management, Extracting honey and much more. The complete course includes class, handbook, 1 year association membership, and a monthly newsletter.
Location: The New Yellow Rock Barn 8307 Westridge Rd, Raytown, MO 64138
Breaktime refreshments and Lunch will be provided. www.midwesternbeekeepers.org
If you would like help getting your pond ready for the
a
We
High-Contrast Plants Make Beautiful Gardens
Any garden can look professionally designed and maintained from a small foundation planting to large-scale landscaped grounds when plants of different heights, colors, and textures are combined. Gardens with easily discernible plantings are more pleasing because our eyes can more easily distinguish individual objects when elements are varied. No matter the landscape style, contrasting plants make a visually striking design.
Begin by selecting a list of plants to include. You may only need three to six different plants for a small foundation planting, while a larger garden could consist of many more.
Sort groups of plants by mature height, foliage color, and texture. The goal is to have enough variation in your selections so that no two plants of similar height, color, or texture will be planted next to each other. You won’t necessarily use every plant on your list, but it will help to have many options as you put the design puzzle together.
Draw a rough diagram of your space, placing plants of varying heights beside each other while also being mindful of foliage colors and textures. As a rule, you’ll want to arrange plants so they have a minimum 12-18” difference in height from their neighbors. More is better, especially for larger plants. For example, an 8’ focal point specimen plant will look best behind massed perennials or low-spreading shrubs growing no more than 24-30” high. This would allow a lower level
8-12” plant to be used next to the mid-level plants. The height contrast helps keep the garden from looking overgrown or unkempt because of the clear separation between plants and is key to keeping things looking neat with less upkeep.
Because flowers are fleeting, they should be considered a bonus rather than a constant visual element.
leaves. Our chart includes sun and shade plants to help get you started. We use these high-impact, easy-care plants often in our landscape installations. You can also use our website search filters to find and sort plants by height and foliage color when compiling your plant list.
Unless you are designing a pollinator/host garden, flowers should be the last consideration when planning a landscape.
You can implement these same principles when upgrading an existing landscape. Begin by inventorying the plants already growing in your garden and then find contrasting plants to complement them.
There are plants with a seemingly endless variety of foliage colors and textures, from eye-catching silver to dark purple, and grassy to big, bold
Amy Albright and her husband, Doug Davison, own Vinland Valley Nursery, a full service organic nursery and greenhouse that includes a huge selection of native plants and features a U-pick flower garden, workshops and a garden shop just south of Lawrence, KS. Their team includes experienced landscapers, plant growers, and artists, including their three daughters who grew up in the business.
Spectacular Winter Seedheads
As it is every winter, my skin is as dry as a shriveled seed head, in need of body scrub for sure. Black-eyed Susan, wild bergamot, and compass plant are still standing tall in the garden, attracting hungry birds and me. I enjoy their crunchy winter look, in hues of chocolate, tan, and gray—especially when they are enveloped in ice, snow, or hoarfrost, and surrounded by juncoes and sparrows on a cold wintery day. I love the native garden in winter as much as I do in summer, and I hope you do too. Happy New Year!
Compass plant (Silphium Laciniatum)
Hairy mountain mint (Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum) and aster (Symphyotricum ssp.) seedheads feed birds all winter. Also pictured is wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa).
Switchgrass (Panicum
dazzles after an ice
and when cloaked in
SCOTT WOODBURY Horticulturist
Charitable blazingstar (Liatris pycnostachya) holds on to 5% of its seeds in winter, which provides food for desperate birds on a snowy day.
Wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) looks its best in silhouette, such as this example against a wall at the Prairie Garden Trust.
Rosemallow (Hibiscus lasiocarpos) transitioning into winter with hairy pods, next to the last of New England aster (Symphyotricum novae-angliae).
Chocolate brown wild senna (Senna marilandica) pods turn your yard into a sculpture park in winter.
Scott Woodbury was the horticulturist at Shaw Nature Reserve for 30 years and stepped down from that position in June 2022. He continues to work on contract for Shaw Nature Reserve to carry out native landscaping education and has launched his own business called Cacalia: Native Garden Design and Wilding. Find suppliers of native seeds and plants to enrich your landscaping all year at www.moprairie.org.
Photos by Scott Woodbury.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) leaves with frost.
virgatum)
storm
frost.
Upcoming Garden Events
Heartland Hosta and Shade Plant Society
Sat, Mar 22, Hospitality 9:30-10a, Club Mtg 10-10:45a, Speaker 10:45a-noon; at Woods Chapel Community of Christ, 500 NE Woods Chapel Rd, Lee’s Summit,MO 64064. Topic: Companion shrubs, perennials and annuals for the part shade/shade garden. Members, Guests and public welcome. www.heartlandhosta.club https://facebook.com/HeartlandHostaAndShadePlantSociety
Idalia Butterfly Society
Sat, Mar 8, 5p; at Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St, Overland Park, KS 66204. Our program will be “Container Gardening with Native Plants: YES You Can!”, given by Michele Livergood (MU Extension Master Gardener) and Carole Tomlinson (Idalia Society Treasurer). Native plants are beautiful, and vital to the bees and butterflies we all love. You CAN provide pollinator habitat without a traditional garden! Doors open at 5 PM for light refreshments and social time; program begins at 5:45 PM following a brief “business and announcements” session. This FREE program is a wonderful kick-off to your gardening season, and all are welcome. Bring a friend! Questions? Please call/text 816-283-6258, or email us at idaliasociety@yahoo.com. Also, look for us on Facebook at Idalia Society of MidAmerican Lepidopterists.
Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Wed, Feb 12, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Robert Burns of the Northeastern Kansas Beekeepers’ Association (NEKBA) will discuss the basics of beekeeping, bee-friendly gardens, how to protect our pollinators and the importance of bees for our environment. The meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.
Leawood Garden Club
Tues, Feb 25, 10:30a; at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS 66206. Speaker: Michele Livergood, “Monarch Waystation in a Suburban Yard.” Monarchs are one of the most recognizable butterflies. We’ll teach you the requirements needed to turn your yard into a Monarch Waystation that will provide for the Monarch during their migrations. Monarch populations continue to decline. Your yard can provide a place that pro-
vides the needed resources from egg to chrysalis during their migrations. We will discuss nectar and host plants and the pros and cons of different types of milkweeds.
Raytown Garden Club
Tues, Feb 4, 10a; at Connection Point Church, 10500 E 350 Hwy, Raytown, MO 64138. The program will be “Sprouting & Microgreens Improve Our Lives”, presented by Iva Stribling, RGC Member. Guests are always welcome. For more information about our club, check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RaytownGardenClub
And
Tues, Mar 4, 10a; Program will be “Improve the Well-Being of Our Bluebird Friends”, presented by Jack Corrigan, Certified Master Naturalist, Member of the Missouri Bluebird Society and Ambassador for their Nesting Box Program.
PLANT SALES | EXPOS | SHOWS
Yoderbilt Home & Flower Show Fri, Feb 28, 12-7p; Sat, Mar 1, 10a-7p; Sun, Mar 2, 10a-4p; at Bartle Hall. Adults $13.75, Youth 16 & under are free! For details and a discount admission coupon: KCMOhomeshow.com
Spring Fling 2025
Sat, Mar 8, 1-4p; at 501 N Dodgion St, Independence, MO (next to Habitat Restore). Join Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City for Spring Fling 2025. MGGKC Speaker’s Bureau presentations will provide information about Adaptive Gardening, Natives in Containers, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Extension Master Gardeners from each of our gardens and projects will have gardening demonstrations and takeaways to inspire your creativity. There will also be activities for children to teach them about plants and beneficial bugs. Our motto is “Helping Others Learn to Grow” and we look forward to giving you the tips and information you need to help your garden bloom. Free to the public, children 16 and under welcome when with an adult.
Kansas City Garden Symposium Sat, Mar 22, 9a-3:15p; at Rockhurst University Campus, Science Center 115, 54th and Troost Entrance, Kansas City, MO 64110. Three speakers. Four presentations. Lunch. Snacks. Gift bag. Tickets: $99. See website for details and register at gardenersconnect.org
Eat Local & Organic Expo Sat, Mar 29, 9a-2p; at Avila University. Free admission, Free Parking. Kick off farmers market season at the Eat Local & Organic Expo! Shop with more than 30 KC Food Circle™ farmers who pledge to meet high standards for growing plants and mushrooms, beekeeping and raising animals. Attendees can talk directly with farmers as they sign up for weekly farm shares, buy transplants for their gardens, and get the freshest early spring products for their dinner tables. kchealthykids.org
Kansas Healthy Yards Expo
Sat, Mar 29, 9a-2p; at the Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Dr, Shawnee. This event will be free to attend. For more, visit www.johnson.k-state.edu or call 913-7157000.
2025 Mid-MO Homestead Expo!
Mar 28-29; at Twin Oaks Event Center, LLC in West Central Missouri! Enjoy engaging speakers on foraging, high tunnel growing, and more, live blacksmith demos, knife sharpening, unique vendors, and a seed swap. General Admission is FREE! Premium tickets ($15) offer early access to reserve seats for limited speaker sessions. Tickets through our event page. https:// facebook.com/events/s/2025-homesteadexpo/360047573785897/
Paola Spring Plant Sale
Apr 24, 25, 26, New Location INDOOR
SHOPPING at the Miami County Fairgrounds Bldg #2, 401 Wallace Park Dr, Paola, KS. Featuring pesticide-free locally grown plants. In addition to the usual selection of butterfly host plants, pollinator flowers and native perennials, there will be ornamental annuals, perennials, herbs, succulents, hanging baskets, trees and veggies. Extension Master Gardeners, including butterfly expert Lenora Larson, will be on hand to assist More info at www. maraisdescygnes.ksu.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdcemg or call the office: 913-294-4306.
Thyme for Kids Plant Sale
Cornerstones of Care is hosting our 2025 Thyme for Kids Plant Sale on Apr 25-26. More details to follow.
CLASSES | AND MORE
Houseplants 101
Sat, Feb 8, 1p; at Vinland Valley Nursery, 1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. In this workshop, we’ll cover basic
houseplant care. We’ll provide plant lists detailing different maintenance levels and cultural requirements to help you select tropicals and succulents that will thrive in your home. You will take home a small tropical plant and 16-ounce bottle of Arber plant food to get your green thumb growing. $40 // Preregister by Feb 7, space is limited. 785-594-2966
Integrated Pest Management
Thurs, Mar 6, 11:30a; in the Sunflower Room of the Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Cory Creed, the Wyandotte County Extension Horticulture Agent, will present Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Garden, which is designed to help gardeners manage pests, while also minimizing negative environmental impact. IPM is a sustainable approach to pest control that combines multiple holistic strategies to manage problems in the garden. Registration is not required. A $10 class fee will be collected at the door. Questions: Call 913299-9300.
30th Annual Beginning Beekeeping Workshop
Sat, Mar 8, Registration: 7:30-8a; Workshop: 8a-4:30p with breaks and lunch break; at The New Yellow Rock Barn, 8307 Westridge Rd, Raytown, MO 64138. Presented by Midwestern Beekeepers Association. Learn about Honey Bee Biology, Equipment, Acquiring and Installing bees, Seasonal Management, Bee Diseases, Pest Management, Extracting honey and much more. The complete course includes class, handbook, 1 year association membership, and a monthly newsletter. Breaktime refreshments and Lunch will be provided. www.midwesternbeekeepers.org
A Rose for Every Garden
Sat, Mar 29. Save the date. Time and location details to come. Program, “A Rose for Every Garden,” by Laura Dickinson. Anyone can grow beautiful roses. All it takes is understanding the plant’s needs and picking the right variety for your garden. This class will review basic rose care, rose varieties and how new hybrids are developed, and how to select the best roses for your gardening needs.
List garden events like classes, workshops, seminars, club meetings, and plant sales for FREE!
Send details to elizabeth@kcgmag.com Deadline for the March issue is February 7.
GARDEN CALENDAR
February list of what to do in the garden.
LAWN
• Rake fallen leaves carried by the wind into the yard to prevent suffocation.
• Review lawn service contracts and make changes.
• Tune-up and repair lawnmowers before the spring rush.
• Avoid damage to the grass. Keep foot traffic to a minimum when soil is frozen.
FLOWERS
• Check fall-planted perennials and water if needed.
• Watch for frost heaving of tender perennials. Push back into soil and water.
• Replenish winter protective mulch around hybrid tea roses, protecting the graft.
• Check bulbs in storage for decay and discard.
• Prepare orders for mail.
• Start seeds for transplanting.
• Obtain a soil test and make needed improvements.
TREES AND SHRUBS
• Check for rabbit damage on young trees and shrubs.
• Water fall-planted trees and shrubs.
• Water evergreens if the soil is dry and not frozen.
• Apply dormant oil for control of scales and mites.
• Begin spring pruning on warm days.
• Delay pruning spring-flowering trees and shrubs until after bloom; enjoy the full flowering effect.
• Force twigs of spring shrubs into blooming indoors, adding a splash of color.
• Remove snow carefully from limbs with a broom.
VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
• Create garden layouts to assist with the planning process.
• Order seeds.
• Obtain a soil test and make needed improvements.
• Start broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage transplants.
• Prune apple, pear, and cherry trees.
• Prune peach and nectarines just prior to bloom time.
• Select varieties and order new fruit trees.
• Check for rabbit and rodent damage on trees.
• Apply manure or compost to garden areas and incorporate for soil improvement.
• Prepare garden soil for early planting.
• Avoid working the soil when wet.
• Check stored seeds and discard old supply.
• Prune grapes, raspberries, and blackberries.
• Jumpstart the compost bin. Turn and add water.
INDOOR PLANTS
• Rotate plants in sunlight to produce a balanced plant.
• Withhold fertilization until spring light arrives.
• Check plants for insects, mites, and other problems.
• Remove dust from plants by placing them in the shower under room temperature water.
• Give a plant to a friend for a winter pick-me-up.
• Repot root-bound plants in a 1-inch larger pot.
• Take cuttings of plants to make new ones for friends.
• Shape plants for spring growth to produce a more balanced and attractive plant.
Johnson County K-State Research and Extension recommends environmentally-friendly gardening practices. This starts by identifying and monitoring problems. Cultural practices and controls are the best approach for a healthy garden. If needed, use physical, biological or chemical controls. Always consider the least toxic approach first. Markis Hill is the horticulture agent for Johnson County K-State Research and Extension. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu, or call the Extension office at 913-715-7000.
KC’s Premier Home & Flower Show is BACK at Bartle Hall SAVE THE DATE
The Yoderbilt Kansas City Home and Flower Show returns to Bartle Hall February 28 through March 2, 2025. The show boasts over three hundred booths full of new and innovative products for upgrading your home and outdoor living space. Stroll through beautiful home, lawn, garden and landscaping displays!
The event will feature non-stop exciting entertainment:
• Live performances all 3 days by America’s Got Talent fan favorite “Puppy Pals” – a family fun action-packed show where adopted and rescued dogs perform spectacular stunts & breathtaking feats!
• Seminars and Q&A all three days with HGTV’s Design Star Winner Jennifer Bertrand!
• KC’s Antique Roadshow with FREE Antique Appraisals from two experts!
• Eco-friendly Custom Container Living Homes on display – take a chance to Crack the Code to win a $45,000 container home!
• Rare Peony, Iris and Lily exhibits!
• Floral Quilt Exhibit with Missouri Quilt Museum!
• The Mushroom King with tips on mushroom hunting and foraging!
• Gorgeous Orchid and Succulent displays!
• “Art in the Park” exhibit with breathtaking floral paintings!
• Tons of activities for the Kids – climbing wall, Kids Zone, Rare Peacocks, Petting Zoo and more!
Experience hundreds of booths of home improvement products and services. Home vendors will showcase the hottest new trends in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, organization ideas, fireplace updates, sunroom additions, and color and texture ideas for floors and walls. Exhibitors will also display everything needed for exterior home upgrades including windows, doors, landscaping, siding, decks, roofing, guttering, garage additions and much more - plus furniture to freshen the inside and outside of your living space!
For details and a discount admission coupon: KCMOhomeshow.com Adults $13.75, Youth 16 & under are free!
Friday, February 28th Noon to 7pm
Saturday, March 1st 10am to 7pm
Sunday, March 2nd 10am to 4pm
Kansas City Garden Symposium
Saturday, March 22, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Tickets: $99
At Rockhurst University Campus Science Center 115, 54th and Troost Entrance, Kansas City, MO 64110
Three Speakers. Four Presentations. Lunch. Snacks. Gift Bag. A Day of Gardening Delight You Won’t Want to Miss.
Presentations include:
• Creating a Great Escape in Your Own Backyard
• Garden Rock Stars and the Rest of the Band
• Gardening for Comfort, Ease and Simplicity
Register online or send check made out to Gardeners Connect to: Gardeners Connect, PO Box 8454, Kansas City, MO 64114 Please include email address with check if available for quickest notification of registration.
See website for speaker details and to register at gardenersconnect.org.
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