March brings a burst of color to Powell Gardens as spring bulbs and early wildflowers bloom. The Feather Your Nest conservatory exhibit closes on March 4 to make room for Orchids & Gems of the Woodland, opening March 10. Admission through March is $7/adults, $6/seniors and $3/children 5-12.
Café Thyme reopens in March under the management of Michael Foust, executive chef and owner of The Farmhouse in Kansas City, Mo. Lunch will be available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only in March. Watch for more details at www.powellgardens.org.
Feather Your Nest Conservatory Exhibit
9 a.m.-5 p.m.through March 4
Have a seat and enjoy the winter gardens in cozy indoor garden "rooms" designed by As Time Goes By, Retro Inferno and Perennial Gifts. Each space includes seating to accommodate at least four people. Hot beverages are available for purchase to enjoy while you gather ideas and inspiration for feathering your own nest or simply watch the birds. Winter admission: $7/adults, $6/seniors and $3/children 5-12.
Build a Cold Frame
10 a.m.-12 p.m. March 3
Construct a cold frame to give your seedlings a head start this season. You will assemble a portable, cedar cold frame large enough to hold four flats of seedlings. All project materials and some cool season seedlings will be provided. Register by Feb. 20 at 816-697-2600 x209; $87/project, $79/project for members of Powell Gardens.
Geo-Gardens: Geocache Adventure
1-4 p.m. March 3
Embark on a high-tech treasure hunt at Powell Gardens! Following brief instruction, begin your quest to find hidden objects, called geocaches, in the Gardens. Bring a GPS device or smart phone, or take turns using one of ours. We will stay on the Gardens’ paved paths as we search for two caches. Register by Feb. 27 at 816-697-2600 x209.
Orchids & Gems of the Woodland
9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 10-May 13
A mix of exquisite orchids and woodland gems such as hydrangeas, azaleas, redbuds and dogwoods bring a welcome breath of spring to the conservatory. Visitors also can purchase orchids from Bird’s Botanicals throughout the exhibit. Garden admission applies: $7/adults, $6/seniors and $3/children 5-12 through March and $10/adults, $9/seniors and $4/children 5-12 beginning April 1.
Starting Seeds Indoors
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. March 10
Get a jump on spring by starting seeds indoors. Learn techniques for starting annuals and some perennials. Be prepared to get your hands dirty as you sow seeds and transplant plants to take home. All seeds and supplies will be provided. Register by March 2 at 816-697-2600 x209; $24/project, $17/project for members of Powell Gardens.
Woodland Walk Terrarium
1-3 p.m. March 10
Capture the beauty of a woodland walk in a terrarium. All materials will be provided, including miniature ferns and other tiny plants, glass container, soil, tools and care sheet. Register by Feb. 27 at 816-697-2600 x209; $54/project, $47/project for members of Powell Gardens.
Corkscrews & Canvases
1-4 p.m. March 10
Join artist Kathleen Fenton, owner of The Gallery Off Broadway in Excelsior Springs, for an afternoon of creativity at Powell Gardens. During this session, you will create an acrylic painting on canvas. All materials will be provided. Register by March 5; $49/person, $44/members of Powell Gardens.
March Family Fun Walk
1-4 p.m. March 11
Bring the family for a guided hike along the 1-mile loop of the Byron Shutz Nature Trail. Powell Gardens’ Youth Education Coordinator and Naturalist Stephanie Acers will point out Mother Nature’s treasures along the way. This trail is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. Register by March 7 at 816-697-2600 x209; $9/adults, $5/adult members and $4/children ages 5-12.
SupertufaTM Garden Basket
1-3 p.m. March 18
Create a lightweight but sturdy garden basket out of SupertufaTM. You will make one large or two small baskets suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Bring an old basket to use as a mold or use one the instructor provides. Register by March 12 at 816-697-2600 x209; $55/project, $47/project for members of Powell Gardens.
Winter Hike: Singing Frogs and Early Spring Bulbs
1-4 p.m. March 18
Enjoy the sounds of spring as you hike the 3.25-mile Byron Shutz Nature Trail and back through the Rock & Waterfall and Island Gardens with Alan Branhagen, Powell Gardens’ director of horticulture and master naturalist. See witch hazels blooming, early spring bulbs and some of the season’s first wildflowers. This trail is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. Register by March 12 at 816-697-2600 x209; $9 or $5/members.
Basket Making
9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 24
Create a sturdy and attractive oblong storage basket with wooden base, rosewood handles and seagrass trim. All skill levels are welcome. Materials will be provided. Bring a sack lunch or snack as the class will not break for lunch. Register by March 19 at 816-697-2600 x209; $62/person, $54/members of Powell Gardens.
Success with Vegetable Gardening
10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 24
Learn techniques for growing a successful vegetable garden from Lala Kumar, Horticulture Specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. Participants will get hands-on training on bed preparation, plant spacing, seed sowing and more. New and experienced gardeners are welcome. A lunch break will be provided. Register by March 1 at 816-697-2600 x209; $39/person, $32/members of Powell Gardens.
Orchid Weekend at Powell Gardens
11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 24-25
Bring your orchid-related questions to Powell Gardens this weekend and get advice from Orchid Society of Greater Kansas City members. Stop by the conservatory to view numerous orchids and other woodland gems, including hydrangeas, azaleas, redbuds and dogwoods. You can also shop for your own orchids from Bird's Botanicals. Winter garden admission applies: $7/adults, $6/seniors and $3/children 5-12.
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