a living museum: plant collections at powell gardens

A Living MuseumPowell Gardens’ Plant Collections

By Alan Branhagen, Director of Horticulture at

Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical gardenT M

970 acresincludes…

20 acres native prairie

woodlandswoodlands

successionareas

wetlandswetlands

a growing collection

The plant records used to curate our collections are called accessions and in 2014 numbered 20,000.

These records are an important long-term planning and reference tool, and because we follow the curation standards set by the American Public Gardens Association, our work becomes part of a larger effort to protect plants around the world.

For each type we record where the plants came from, how many we received, how they arrived (seeds, plugs, bulbs, etc.), and where they were planted. And if they don’t survive, we record that, too.

Working behind the scenes

Powell Gardens is a living museumwith curated collections. Staff andvolunteers painstakingly recordall of the relevant data.

Herbarium

Dr. Paul Redfern

Marie FryePlant Records

into the wild

In 2014 we began documenting all of the wild plant species growing at Powell Gardens as well. Having these plants on record builds the credentials we need to join Botanical Garden Conservation International, which focuses on protecting endangered plants.

We even track plants that defy captivity!

A look at some of our major

collections

NAPCC Magnolia Collection

MaxineMerrill

Ashe

Black Beauty

LeonardMessel

‘Frank’s Masterpiece’

‘Lilliputian’

‘DD Blanchard’

Elmwood CemeteryHistoric saucer

Magnoliasto plant:

Northern Sweetbay if you can have only one!

American Conifer SocietyReference Garden

Marvin Snyder

Tall Bearded Iris Collection

20 Years of American Iris SocietyMerit Winners

‘Kansas City’

‘JanetLemon’

‘Announcement’

‘UnforgetableFire’

‘Coral Sunset’

‘PrettyIs’

‘SecretService’

‘Change Of Pace’‘Pacific Destiny’

Iris

Collections we’re currently expanding

Milkweed Collection

Legacy Tree project

Plant collections to enjoy during a visit

Redbuds at entrance to the Visitor Center

Perennial Garden: 1,400 varieties

Jennifer Barnes’s picks:Seven Sons HeptacodiumJapanese AnemonesCrape MyrtlesToad Lilies Tricyrtis

Rock & WaterfallGarden: A collection of shade-loving plants

Janet Heter’s picks:Hellebores, AstilbesJack-in-the-pulpitUvularia grandiflora “Merrybells”

Meadow& Pavilionby E.Fay Jones

Queen Anne’s lacelate Mary Kay Powell’sfavorite wildflower

We’re selecting a pink versionto name after her.

Chapel: A showcase for native plants

Redbuds

VisitorCenter

Terrace Gardens, paint with plantsspring through fall

Brent Tucker’s picks:Lantana, BegoniasBromeliads, Passion vines

Conservatory

Parking Lot ArboretumNative Mo-Kan Trees

Island Garden: Rock garden and water plants

Living Wall

Rain Gardens

Fountain and Insectaries Garden

Heartland Harvest Garden: Nation’s largest edible landscape with 2,000 food plants!

Tomato mania!‘Martha Washington’ is Mark’s pick

Vegetables & Grains

Herbs Galore

Fruit and Nut Trees

Kikisui

Contender

Chojuro

Coco

Fruit Trees!

We look forward to seeing you at

Powell Gardens!

www.powellgardens.org