Kansas is famous for being a 'prairie' state. So I wouldn't expect to see much other than cottonwoods and grasses at an arboretum and botanical garden in Overland Park, MO -- south of Kansas City, MO and close to the Kansas border. But I was wrong! And pleased to be wrong!
These 300 acres DO have 180 acres set aside in prairie, but they also have 13 gardens, a sculpture garden, Monet garden and 6 miles of paved and wood chip trails. These wood chip trails traverse riparian woodlands and mesic oak-hickory forest. Their visitor center has available a black and white booklet about some of their trees (which are numbered and located on a map so you can easily find them) with a botanical line drawing. If you are a tree lover, you will definitely want to pick one up and use it. They are a variety of trees including: hickory, elm, ash, sycamore, walnut, chinkapin oak, pawpaws, littleleaf linden and Pekin lilacs. I think it is wonderful, in this world of ever-dwindling freshwater resources, that they have a xeriscape garden as well. This garden showcases plants that have low water requirements. I also appreciate that leashed dogs are permitted on all the woodchip trails.
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Ruthie RosauerRuthie photographs trees because she loves them. Archives
February 2019
CategoriesUpcoming EventsDecember 7 1 - 3pm A Walk in the Woods 423 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC BOOK SIGNING Photographer and editor Ruthie Rosauer will be on hand to autograph copies of her book, THESE TREES. The book, a compilation of 140 trees photos paired with poems, has been described as "A gorgeous book, a heart-opening photo collection." |