Upcoming Garden Events

Native Plants: Native Landscape Chat

Fri, Jan 7, 1-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Registration required (ages 14+) Find peace and beauty in the many textures, colors and forms in the native plant garden. Join our native landscape specialists for a tour of our resilient and dramatic plantings. Bring your questions and get advice on how and what to add to your garden in spring to gain some winter beauty in your own yard. Register online mdc.mo.gov/ events or call 1-888-283-0364.

Plant Identification: How to Know the Lichens–Virtual

Tues, Jan 11, 6-7p; online. The beauty and diversity of lichens is more noticeable and easier to observe, study and appreciate during the winter months. Lichens make a significant contribution to the biodiversity of Missouri’s natural communities. This program will cover how to recognize the major groups of lichens as well as how to identify dozens of species of lichens which can be found year-round in Missouri. This is a virtual event through Webex. Participants will receive an email with the link approximately 24 hours prior to the event. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364.

Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Wed, Jan 12, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. The guest speaker is TerriLois Mashburn, the Leavenworth County Register of Deeds. She will be talking about the county’s free property fraud alert system. Meeting is free. Visitors are welcome. For more information contact the Leavenworth County Extension office at 913-364-5700.

In the Greenhouse with Nathan Corsi

Wed, Jan 12, 6-8pm; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Cost: $5-$50. Come and enjoy live music while being surrounded by our beautiful greenhouse plants. For details or to sign up, visit https://www.colonialgardenskc.com/colonial-gardens-events/.

Birds: Feathered Friends

Sat, Jan 15, 10-11:30a or 12:30-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Registration required (ages 8+) Can you identify the tools birds possess and the way they use them to survive in their native habitats? Join us as we learn about the specialized structures and adaptations that help our feathered friends survive January’s wintery chill surrounding us in Kansas City! Participate in the hands-on exploration and investigation of different types of skulls and beaks. Dissect an owl pellet and look for the secrets that rest within. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364.

Discover Nature, Winter Tree ID

Sat, Jan 15, 10a; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816-2283766. Registration required for all attending (all ages) Missouri trees are relatively easy to identify in the summer when they have all their leaves. As winter approaches these leaves fall off making the trees more difficult to distinguish. Attend this handson workshop to learn the tips and tricks to tree identification throughout the season. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364.

Houseplants 101

Sat, Jan 15, 11a-12p; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Cost: $20. Join our Greenhouse staff for an interactive houseplants class where you will learn as you walk through our tropical section full of a variety of houseplants. Learn about proper lighting for different houseplants, how to water correctly, and proper nutritious and fertilizing so you can be have the ultimate plant jungle at home! Along with this interactive class, please enjoy: 15% off anything at Colonial Kitchen day of the class; 40% off any one plant in the greenhouse day of the class; Q&A with our houseplant expert! To sign up, visit https://www.colonialgardenskc.com/colonial-gardens-events/.

KC Cactus and Succulent Society

Sun, Jan 16, 1:30-4p; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. Visitors are welcome to attend. See our website: www.kccactus.com or visit us on Facebook.

Discover Nature: Nature Rx: Chillin’ Stroll

Tues, Jan 18, 3-4:30pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816-228-3766. Registration required (adult) This exciting new series of programs for adults in 2022 features a weekday and weekend option to help fill your prescription for nature! Enrich your life by nature immersion to reduce stress, boost immunity, lower blood pressure, improve sleep and many more possible health benefits. Topics to look forward to this year include hammock hikes, s’more night strolls, kayak plus yoga and forest spa day. Collect special water bottle stickers to help share this idea with friends. Register online mdc. mo.gov/events or call 1-888-283-0364.

Native Plants at Noon–Virtual

Thurs, Jan 20, 12-1pm; online. Registration required by visiting https://deeproots. org/native-plants-at-noon/ (adults) Every third Thursday at 12p, we’ll tour the native landscape at MDC’s Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Guided by native landscape specialists Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, this monthly series features a live look at native plants of interest throughout the year plus landscaping tips and tricks. This program is a partnership with Deep Roots.

Native Plants: Winter Sowing

Sat, Jan 22, 10-11a or 11:30a-12:30p or 1-2pm; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-759-7300. Registration required (ages 10+) Spring is still weeks away but it’s never too early to start thinking about adding native prairie plants to your home landscape and habitat. We’ll take a winter cruise around the Discovery Center trails, learn to identify dormant winter plants and trees in the landscape and collect seeds to sow in recycled plastic containers. All participants will take home a “mini greenhouse” of native prairie plants to start growing for a spring planting. Dress appropriately for an outdoor walk. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888283-0364.

Discover Nature: Nature Rx–Chillin’ Stroll

Sat, Jan 22, 2:30-4pm; at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015; 816228-3766. Registration required (adult) Same details as Jan 18 above.

Native Plants: Winter Beauty–Virtual

Sat, Jan 29, 10-11a; online. Registration required (adults) Subtle colors and bold textures stand out in the landscape this time of year. Join our native landscape specialist to discuss the beauty and benefits of native plants in winter. We’ll focus on plants that provide food and habitat for wildlife as well as create visual winter interest in your own backyard. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888283-0364.

Sneak Peak Spring Production Tour 2022

Sat, Jan 29, 10:30-11:30a; at Colonial Gardens, 27610 E Wyatt Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Cost: $20. Join Kevin, Greenhouse Manager, for a behind the scenes look at annual production. Learn about potting soil quality, pH, and growing tricks to ensure the growth of small plants into beautiful, lush hanging baskets and containers that we offer in the Spring. Included: Tour of retail greenhouse and production greenhouses, a coffee or mimosa served from our Plant Bar, a breakfast pastry from Colonial Kitchen, 15% off coupon for one hanging basket or combo container. For details or to sign up, visit https://www.colonialgardenskc.com/colonial-gardens-events/.

Native Plants: Winter Beauty

Sat, Jan 29, 2-3:30p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816759-7300. Registration required (adults) Bundle up and join our native landscape specialist to discuss the beauty and benefits of native plants in winter while walking the grounds of the Discovery Center. We’ll focus on plants that provide food and habitat for wildlife as well as create visual winter interest in your own backyard. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888283-0364.

Wassailing at Powell Gardens

Sat, Jan 29, 4-7p; at Grand Hall (Visitor Center) $50 | Members receive 10% off. Cider, serenading, and reveling! Join Powell Gardens to renew our Wassailing tradition, the centuries old practice of toasting apple trees in the winter to bring a bountiful harvest. After a short program, the night will culminate with the Wassail King and Queen leading a procession to Powell Gardens apple trees. Wake up the orchard by banging pots and pans and serenading the trees with song so they produce a good crop! Guests will also enjoy a grazing table by Graze & Gather KC as well as two cups of the traditional Wassail drink of cider, spices, and brandy. A cash bar will also be available. Must be 21+ to attend. Registration closes Jan 24. For tickets, go to powellgardens.org, click on Calendar. Space is limited. Weather date Feb 5.

Native Plants: Native Landscape Chat

Fri, Feb 4, 1-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110; 816-7597300. Registration required (ages 14+) February is a great time to gear up for spring planting. Bed prep, plant choice and layout design are all very important to the success of native plant gardens. Visit with our native landscape specialists to get tips on how to prep for spring. Register online mdc.mo.gov/events or call 1-888-2830364.

Helping Birds–It’s Easier Than You Think: Conservation Celebration!

Sat, Feb 12, 11a-1p; at Burroughs Audubon Nature Center, 7300 SW West Park Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015. FREE. Join the Missouri River Bird Observatory and the Burroughs Audubon Society to take a deep dive into the “Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds” and find out how you can make simple changes to help birds and enrich your own life! Each event will explore two of the seven actions and will include going birding, a brief chat about the topic, and ways for you to take action that day and into the future. All events in the series will be held outdoors so make sure to dress snugly. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there! For Feb. 12th, we are celebrating the successes of conservation in Missouri and elsewhere! Join us for a bonfire, bird-friendly coffee, chili with birdfriendly beef, and some great conversation. Sign up at mrbo.org/events.

Garden to Glass: Tropical Edition

Sat, Feb 26, 3-4:30p; at Powell Gardens Greenhouse Complex; $20 per attendee. Take a behind the scenes tour of the Powell Gardens greenhouses while sipping on a tropical favorite, the Mai Tai. Guests will learn the history of the cocktail, then Lead Horticulturalist Eric Perrette will give a tour of the tropical greenhouses within Powell Gardens’ Greenhouse complex.

Flower, Home & Garden Show

Sat, Mar 12, 10a-4p; at Heritage Event & Art Center, 109 Delaware St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. FREE admission. Leavenworth County Master Gardeners will be making presentations throughout the event. Join us and enter to win GRAND PRIZE–Complimentary lodging plus 2 tickets to the St. Louis Botanical Gardens. Show features flowers, plants, home decor and garden equipment.

Promote plant sales, club meetings, classes, and other gardening events for FREE!

Send details to: elizabeth@kcgmag.com.

Deadline for publishing in the February issue is January 5.