GARDENER
Independently owned and operated since 1996
PUBLISHER
Michael Cavanaugh
EDITOR
Elizabeth Cavanaugh
CONTRIBUTORS
Amy Albright
Natalie Carmolli
Laura Dickinson
Markis Hill
Jesse Kirk
Lenora Larson
Sidney Patrick
Anthony Reardon
Matt Sanning
Anne Wildeboor
Scott Woodbury
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WLet nature take its course
hen we moved here in February 1996, the garden was not on my worry list. With little in the way of formal landscaping, it was easy to ignore any potential for weather damage. Being six weeks postpartum, my worry list was family specific: doctors, diapers, new schools, snow boots, and would somebody PLEASE find the coffee pot. I was a flipflop-wearing Floridian whose only concern during that time was making sure the children were warm and fed. It was bitter cold on move-in day, and we were in survival mode.
Many winters have come and gone since then, and much has changed. The kids are grown and married. Diapers are now for grandchildren. And landscaping has a separate line in our household budget.
Yes, the Cavanaugh gardens have grown over the years. Time spent and money invested in beautifying our plot on the planet has been a labor of love. When it comes to weather though, it’s our biggest worry. Ice storms, drought, blowing winds and flooding rains are some of the extreme conditions endured by
our Midwest landscape. This season has been just as erratic, giving gardeners reason enough to worry.
According to Jesse Kirk, a master arborist with Wellnitz Tree Care, “The weather patterns we experienced in March 2026 created a perfect storm for plant stress across the Kansas City metro.” In this issue, he writes about winter desiccation and its effects on plants in our gardens. “A combination of early bud development, followed by extreme cold, then rapidly shifting to warm, dry, and windy conditions, has left many trees and shrubs looking sickly.”
In our garden, sickly describes some of my boxwood, looking more dead than alive. The crabapples were bloomless, and all four of the butterfly bushes are definitely not coming back. Be patient, he says. This is a case for letting nature take its course.
The aftermath of this event is still unfolding. At this writing, we are just beginning to approach temperatures that are seasonal, and most experts say it will take weeks or even months before we really know the extent of damage from this round of weather.
So as you walk through your garden in early May, know that your garden is still recovering, and some plants will be slow to show damage. In the meantime, take a deep breath. If your worry list looks like mine right about now, remember that we’re all in the same boat. We did a good job selecting and caring for trees, shrubs and perennials that can handle the unpredictable nature of Midwest climate. Or so we thought. Beyond that, what more can we do? Weather is out of our control. So share your garden sorrows with another gardener. And let nature take its course.
I’ll see you in the garden!
Ask the Experts
HELP INADEQUATE POLLINATION
Question: Every year, my squash and cucumbers will set flowers and start developing, only for the fruit to shrivel and yellow on the ends, or to fall off altogether. What am I doing wrong?
Anthony’s Answer: Half-developed fruit on vegetables, or fruit that is dropped by a plant before it is ripe, is a tell-tale sign that inadequate pollination has occurred. Essentially, not enough pollen was transferred between flowers to make viable seeds. Without viable seeds, the plant decides internally to “cut its losses,” dropping what it no longer needs to allocate energy to.
Inadequate pollination often can be seen in areas where harsher insecticide pressure exists, and where there simply aren’t enough flowers to entice pollinators. Some plants, like squash, only flower in the morning – leaving a limited window
for pollinators to work. Offsetting nearby insecticide use and planting more pollinator-friendly flowers and plants nearby are decent first steps in addressing this. Planting these flowers now in spring will align perfectly with the pollination times of these vegetables come mid-summer.
Also, remember that with many larger-flowering vegetables, gardeners can take pollination into their own hands. Simply transfer pollen from the male flowers (with a stamen inside) to the female flowers (with a small fruit inside). This can be done by removing the male flower altogether or by using a small paintbrush to assist with the process. The more pollen that gets moved, the better the chances for a healthy crop.
WHEN TO PRUNE TREE DAMAGE
Question: A recent windstorm has broken off lots of branches on
my tree. Many large limbs broke off, and the tree sustained significant damage. It now needs some pruning, but I was told it should be done in winter, during dormancy. Is it safe to prune now?
Markis’ Answer: Pruning is generally best done in winter, but there are a few exceptions. One is storm damage. Broken or damaged branches should be removed promptly, especially if they pose a hazard near sidewalks, driveways, or buildings.
Pruning may also be necessary if a tree or shrub has outgrown its space. Branches that hang too low, rub against structures, or could cause damage to nearby trees or property should be trimmed. Making these selective cuts can help prevent further damage and keep the plant and the surrounding area safe.
AVOID LEGGY TOMATOES WITH MORE LIGHT
Question: Every year, before transplanting my tomatoes, they get leggy. Is there something I can do to prevent this?
Anthony’s Answer: Leggy tomatoes are generally caused by plants reaching for light. The more lumens you can provide the plants with at this growing stage, the less likely they are to reach for light and become leggy. You can also try brushing your hands over the plants several times a day to encourage the development of sturdier stems. Ultimately, however, remember that tomatoes are one of the few plants that can have their stems buried, encouraging a stronger root system – so, leggy-ness isn’t the end of the world. Watch this video for
how that works: https://youtu.be/ pvcedb0fAkM?si=ztDIAfyEALQlp3X
KNOW YOUR PESTS AND HOW TO TREAT THEM
Question: Insects are eating the plants I just bought. I paid a lot of money and don’t want them to be wasted as insect food. What should I do?
Markis’ Answer: It definitely depends on the insect eating your plant. First, identify which insect is eating your plant. The Extension Master Gardener Hotline can assist with this, provided you can provide a picture of the insect or the damage it is causing to your plant. Second, it is important to know the lifecycle of these insects. Often, the plantdamaging portion of their life cycle is very short. If the insect spends a long period damaging plants and there is more than one generation per season, that’s when action might be needed.
People often ask the master gardeners, “What should I spray?” The answer might surprise you. Many insecticides on the market do not discriminate between beneficial insects and harmful pests. Using a spray is the absolute last option you should go to. There are other ways to handle a pest problem. Small pests like aphids, mites, and lace bugs can be knocked off plants with a powerful stream of water. Larger pests like caterpillars and beetles can be manually removed, or, if your yard is bird and wasp-friendly, you can wait for the predators to find them. This doesn’t work for everyone, and ordering predatory insects can help ensure the pest is dealt with.
MARKIS HILL | Horticulture Agents | ANTHONY REARDON
Markis Hill and Anthony Reardon are the horticulture agents for K-State Extension Johnson County, each specializing in ornamentals and edible crops, respectively. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.k-state. edu, or call our Garden Hotline at 913-715-7050.
Gardeners can take pollination into their own hands, by transferring pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers.
Missouri Wildflowers Nursery
573-496-3492 www.mowildflowers.net mowldflrs@socket.net 9814 Pleasant Hill Rd Jefferson City MO 65109
Meet us at one of these locations in the KC area. Give us your order at least 5 days before a sale, and we will bring it to the location.
Deep Roots Native Plant Sale at City of Prairie Village Municipal Offices, 7700 Mission Rd. Prairie Village, KL 66208, May 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Remington Nature Center, 1502 McArthur Dr. St Joseph, MO 64505, May 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, KC MO 64110, May 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shop at our Nursery in Brazito, MO and Save 12 to 14 percent! DayTrip!
11149 W 95th St (by JCPenney) OTTAWA • Price Chopper, 120 E 19th St
• Topeka Mall, 1801 SW Wanamaker • 200 NE US 24 & Frontage Rd
BLUE SPRINGS
Price Chopper, 1305 N Hwy 7 COLUMBIA • Columbia Mall, 2300 Bernadette Dr
KANSAS CITY • Hy-Vee (Barry Rd), 8301 N St Clair Ave
KEARNEY • Price Chopper, 701 Watson Dr
LEE’S
JOSEPH • Hy-Vee, 201 N Belt Hwy
Winter Desiccation
Understanding Recent Environmental Stresses in the KC Metro
The weather patterns we experienced in March 2026 created a perfect storm for plant stress across the Kansas City metro. In my nearly 20 years working as an arborist, this is the most severe case of winter injury I can recall. A combination of early bud development, followed by extreme cold, then rapidly shifting to warm, dry, and windy conditions, has left many trees and shrubs looking sickly.
Some of the most noticeable impacts have been on early flowering species. Magnolias, crabapples, pears, and Prunus species, which had already begun to push buds and blooms, were hit particularly hard. Across the area, their flowers turned brown, wilted, and in many cases remain hanging on the tree. While disappointing, this type of flower loss is largely cosmetic and does not necessarily indicate long-term harm to the plant.
More concerning, however, is the widespread scorch and burn we are seeing on evergreen and broadleaf evergreen plants. Boxwoods, euonymus, arborvitae, spruce, and pines are all showing symptoms ranging from tip burn to full foliage desiccation. In many cases, this damage is most severe on the south and west sides of plants, where exposure to sun and wind is greatest. Recently planted trees and shrubs, or those with compromised root systems, are being impacted the hardest.
It’s important to understand that this type of injury is often related to moisture stress. Even during the winter, evergreen plants continue to transpire through their needles and
leaves. When soil moisture is limited, especially during dry windy conditions, plants can lose water faster than they can absorb it, leading to the kind of burn we are seeing now. This is why winter watering during extended dry periods is so critical, particularly for evergreens.
One thing to consider is that this type of environmental scorch can look very similar to damage caused by spider mites, which are becoming active this time of year. Before assuming one cause or the other, it’s worth taking a closer look. A simple way to check is to tap a branch over a sheet of white paper, if mites are present, you will often see tiny moving specks. Correct identification is important before taking any action.
Interestingly, not all plants are affected equally. Trees that were more protected from wind and sun exposure, or those that had not yet
JESSE KIRK Master Arborist
begun significant bud expansion, are generally faring better. Likewise, species that naturally leaf out or flower later in the season may show little to no injury compared to their early-season counterparts.
For homeowners, the most important thing right now is to be patient. While the damage may look severe, many plants still can recover. Avoid the urge to aggressively prune or remove plants too quickly. It can take several weeks for the full extent of damage to become clear, and premature pruning can remove tissue that may still be viable.
If you are unsure whether a branch is alive, a simple scratch test can help. Lightly scratch the outer bark with your fingernail or a knife. If the tissue beneath is green, the plant is still alive in that area. If it is brown and dry, that portion is likely dead. Keep in mind, however, that it can take time for damaged tissue to
fully dry out, so repeat checks over a few weeks may be necessary.
Water management will be critical moving forward. Deep, infrequent watering can help support recovery, particularly for evergreens and recently planted material.
Mulch can also play an important role in plant recovery. A properly applied layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture, moderate soil temperatures, recycle organic matter, and reduce competition from turf and weeds. These benefits can make a meaningful difference in how plants respond to stress.
It’s also important to avoid adding additional stress. High-nitrogen fertilizers should be avoided on already stressed plants, as they can push excessive growth at a time when the plant is trying to recover and stabilize.
Finally, keep in mind that defoliation is far more stressful for evergreens than it is for deciduous plants. Evergreen species retain their needles for 3-5 years and a significant portion of their energy reserves are tied up in that foliage. Loss of needles represents a much greater setback than leaf loss on a deciduous tree, whose leaves are naturally replaced each year.
While the extent of damage this season is significant, many trees and shrubs are more resilient than they appear. With proper care, and patience, a large portion of the landscape will recover. If you are uncertain how to proceed, reaching out to a certified arborist can help ensure the right decisions are made for long-term plant health.
Jesse Kirk is District Manager for Wellnitz Tree Care and a Registered Consulting Arborist and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. A graduate of Kansas State University, he specializes in professional tree management, plant health care, and arboricultural consulting. Email him at Jkirk@wellnitztreecare.com or call 913-350-0050.
Flowers and foliage damaged by freezing temperatures.
Arborvitae shows symptoms of winter desiccation.
Digitalis Dottie
Warm Rose
Phlox
Monarch Update
The 2025-2026 data demonstrated a 64% increase to 2.93 hectares for the eastern monarch’s over-wintering population in Mexico. Millions of eastern monarchs migrate to their over-wintering site in the oyamel fir trees in central Mexico each fall. They form such dense masses in the branches of the fir trees that they are counted by measuring the hectares (2.47 acres) of forest covered by butterflies. However, the historic high was 380 million butterflies covering 18 hectares (44.5 acres) in 1996-1997. The numbers have been dropping precipitously since then, down to only 0.67 hectares in 2013-2014 (approximately 14 million butterflies). Scientists consider 15 hectares
necessary to maintain a sustainable population of migrating monarchs so our migration is still in jeopardy.
New Research: Temperature’s Impact on the Fall Migration
The presence of milkweed host plants, including tropical milkweed, does not affect the timing of the fall migration. The Royal Society Open Science reports that the switch from reproductive to migratory phase is a combination of day length and temperature. Because climate change is producing warmer September days, migrating monarchs may discontinue their southern journey and drop into your garden to breed. Unlike our 18 Kansas native milkweeds, which are dormant by late August, tropical milkweed is still thriving
LENORA LARSON
Western Monarch Migration Collapsing
This winter’s annual Western Monarch Count was only 12,260 individuals, the third lowest since counting began in 1997. The past two years have been historic lows, down 95% since the 1990s.
Unlike our eastern monarch subspecies, which migrates to a small area in the mountains north of Mexico City, the western monarchs, which live west of the Rocky Mountains, migrate to over 400 dispersed locations within tall groves of eucalyptus and Monterey pines along the Pacific Ocean where they are counted individually.
Due to loss of habitat, massive use of pesticides and climate change, many scientists now consider the western migration to be functionally extinct. The same fate could befall our eastern monarchs.
and available for use by these late breeders. Further research is needed on this last generation, but initial reports estimate that they have a 28% lower migration success rate than the earlier migrants.
New Technology: Tracking Individual Monarchs
With your smart phone, you can now track individual monarchs that have had a transmitter and solar panel attached to their thorax. Check out Monarch Watch for more information and to view maps of individual travelers from last fall and this spring.
Upcoming Monarch Watch
Events www.monarchwatch.org
One Day One KU. On April 28
and 29, Monarch Watch will again be participating in this massive fundraiser, sponsored by the KU Endowment. Proudly, Monarch Watch has ranked #1 every year in number of donations among the participating departments, even besting sports programs! The donations are used to distribute milkweeds to create large areas of habitat and for school gardens. The Annual Open House and Plant Sale will be held at their facility in Lawrence on Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Events include tours of Monarch Waystation #1, educational exhibits and thousands of native plants for sale, including milkweeds. Plant pre-orders and advance pick-up are available. See https://monarchwatch.org/events for additional information.
and clay soil of Paola, Kansas. She may be contacted at lenora.longlips@gmail.com.
Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardener, Idalia Butterfly Society and Kansas Native Plant Society member, Lenora Larson gardens and hosts butterflies in the cruel winds
Good News!
Native Plant Sale
Hosted by Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners
May 30 | 9a to 3p
(while supplies last)
Douglas Co. Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper, Lawrence, KS 66046
More than 10,000 plants; over 100 varieties All native to Kansas. No cultivars, grown locally and without neonicotinoids.
Preorder
Rose Report
It’s time for the Kansas City Rose Show!
Every year rose gardeners bring the best blooms to compete for ribbons, trophies and bragging rights, recognizing the beauty of their roses and rose photographs. Here is all the information you need to enter your own roses in the KC Rose Show on May 30, 2026.
But first, here is some history. The first rose show in Kansas City was held on June 7, 1931, at the home of Laura Conyers Smith (see photo), who was the founder of the Kansas City Rose Society, and the driving force behind the rose garden in Loose Park that carries her name—the Laura Cony ers Smith Mu nicipal Rose Garden. The Kansas City Rose Show has been held annually since that time and is now housed in the Garden Center in Loose Park. In last year’s show there were 370 roses and 119 rose photos on display.
be available for first time exhibitors.
• Novice classes are available for anyone who has never won a blue ribbon in a rose show.
• Rose photography classes are available for adults and youth.
• Youth classes are for exhibitors under age 17 (youth exhibitor must have been involved in growing the rose or have taken the photo).
For live rose specimens
You can join the rose show tradition and excitement by entering your roses this year. It is free and open to anyone. You don’t have to be a member of the KC Rose Society to participate (although we would love to have you join us!). Here is what you need to know:
• Bring your roses and photos to the Garden Center between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on May 30.
• Help and encouragement will
• The rose must be from your own garden.
• You must know the name of your rose. For example: Mr. Lincoln, Pink Knockout, Double Delight, etc.
• Cut your rose with as long of a stem as you can (see photo of roses on the show table).
• The rose should be fresh “at its point of highest beauty” and the bloom about ½ to ¾ open, not a rose bud.
• Do not remove the leaves.
• Always keep the stem in water until you get to the show.
For rose photography
• The photo can be from any rose garden.
• You must know the name of your rose. For example: Mr. Lincoln, Pink Knockout, Double Delight, etc.
• Most classes ask for a close-up of a single rose, taken as if you are looking down on it.
• The photo must be printed, 5x7 inches, unmatted and unmounted.
• The photo will be judged equally on the beauty of the bloom and the quality of the photograph.
Now you are ready! We will help you get your rose or photo into the right class and ready for judging. After 4 p.m., exhibitors only can come back and see the results of the show. The show is open for public viewing
the following day, May 31st from noon to 3 p.m., during Rose Day, our annual rose festival.
We are offering a free seminar on how to enter the rose show on May 9th, 9:30-11 a.m., at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS. Registration and further information can be found on our website along with web pages dedicated to the Rose Show and Rose Day. If you have more questions about the show, or any rose care questions, send an email to RoseHelp@kcrosesociety. org and one of our Consulting Rosarians will respond.
Hope to see you at the rose show this year!
FEATURED ROSE
Some roses don’t fit the mold of a single bloom on a stem. The Fairy (“the” is part of its name) has a multitude of small pink blooms clustered in bouquets on the tip of each stem. It is a low, rounded bush that is very disease resistant and blooms all summer long. It makes a nice border or accent in mixed perennial beds. It looks lovely in a vase as a contrast to other, larger rose blossoms.
Laura Dickinson is an American Rose Society Master Consulting Rosarian and past President of the Kansas City Rose Society. She has a special interest in low maintenance roses and encouraging reluctant gardeners to give roses a try. Her motto is: Roses are easier than tomatoes.
LAURA DICKINSON Consulting Rosarian
Photo by Lauren English.
Prize-winning rose photo
Roses on the show table
Photo by KC Rose Society.
Photo by Heather Mellor.
Photo by KC Rose Society.
Ferti-lome Weed-Out is available in liquid, perfect for spot control, and granular which is the 2nd step in the 5 step lawn program we recommend for a beautiful and
Ferti-lome Blooming & Rooting is a highly concentrated plant food that is ideal for all blooming plants
Hanging baskets can’t be beat for dressing up porches and pergolas. It’s fun to create living bouquets in colorful combinations to be enjoyed all season. Here are some tips for maintaining beautiful hanging baskets.
The Right Stuff
Always use fresh, high-quality potting mix. We use peat-based, organic potting mixes without added fertilizers. When reusing hanging basket containers, always recycle the previous year’s potting mix by using it as filler at the bottom of very large, deep containers or raised beds. The type and size of container will affect the care required, so choose your style with maintenance in mind. The smaller the container, the more frequently it will require watering. Cocoa-lined wire baskets and paper pulp dry out faster than plastic, which holds moisture longer.
The Right Plants
Plants that require sun won’t bloom and might even shrivel and die in shade, while shade plants will burn when exposed to sun. Wind is also a consideration for plants hanging in exposed locations. Wind can desiccate plants quickly and damage
Living Bouquets
tender stems and foliage.
How much care can you provide? Low-maintenance, wind and drought-tolerant plants for baskets include ivy geraniums, purslane, and portulaca for full sun, and begonias for shady spots.
Choose plants that coexist peacefully, growing at similar rates and with similar needs. Plants that grow really fast, like wave petunias and sweet potato vine, can overwhelm less vigorous companions. Select plants with a trailing habit rather than those that grow straight up. Some plants, like lantana and fuchsia, include cultivars that grow upright or trail, so be sure to read tags when making selections.
Here are some of our favorites:
SHADE: trailing torenia, trailing lobelia, impatiens, begonia, trailing fuchsia
SUN OR SHADE: ageratum, lophospurmum, bacopa, euphorbia, dichondra/silver nickel vine, sweet potato vine
SUN: purslane, petunia, callibrachoa/million bells, trailing salvia, evolvulus, lotus vine, trailing lantana, trailing cuphea
AMY ALBRIGHT Grower/Designer
If attracting pollinators, hummingbirds, and butterflies is on your priority list, consider nectarrich annuals like ‘Monarch Magic’ ageratum, ‘Hummingbird’s Lunch’ cuphea, ‘Dark Eyes’ fuchsia, and ‘Hummingbird Falls’ salvia. You’ll be doubly rewarded for your efforts!
Rather than packing in many plants, leave plenty of space for plant roots. Don’t overcrowd your container. A 10” hanging basket can become a full, flowing beauty with only three plants. 14” baskets can handle up to seven plants, depending on the selection.
Check the annuals page on our website for a downloadable booklet filled with recipes for beautiful hanging baskets to fit a variety of needs.
Proper Care Keeps Them Healthy
Check soil moisture daily. If the top inch is drying out, it’s time to water. Saturate the container until excess water drains from the bottom of the basket to ensure the roots are thoroughly watered, and the surrounding potting mix is moistened. Morning watering is best to provide plants with the reserves they need to handle wind, sun, and heat all day. During extremely hot weather, hang-
ing baskets may need to be watered more than once a day.
Regular fertilizing encourages flowers and healthy foliage growth. Use a balanced, water-soluble organic fertilizer according to label instructions. Liquid and granulated fertilizers are easy to use, and we recommend organic fertilizers. Slow-release fertilizers can damage plants in hot weather. Regular feeding is crucial for sustained blooming and healthy foliage, and healthy plants that aren’t water-stressed or nutrient-depleted naturally resist pests. The best treatment is prevention!
Rotate baskets weekly to ensure that all sides receive adequate light, and trim leggy or overgrown stems to promote fuller growth.
Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage new flowers and to maintain a tidy appearance. You might choose plants that don’t require deadheading, like million bells and Easy Wave petunias, for lower maintenance. Check plant descriptions for deadheading requirements.
You can apply these same planting and care tips to other container types to ensure healthy plants with plenty of flower power all summer long!
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.
Fuchsia dark eyes
Lantana and ageratum Lobelia, blue flower
Portulaca orange stripe
Cut Flower Gardening Favorites for a Season of Blooms
People often ask me if I garden at home. When you do it for a living, do you like to do it as a hobby? I actually do enjoy gardening at home. Perhaps I don’t weed as much as I should, but I do enjoy getting my hands dirty. Each year, on one side of my house, I focus on flowers that I can cut and bring inside my home. I love bringing the outside in, where I can appreciate my garden even on days I am not working in it.
Each year, in mid May, I plant my Benary Zinnias. Benary is a series that comes in many different vibrant colors: red, orange, yellow, green, purple, white, and pink. So, I guess, everything except blue! The flowers are sturdy, double large 2 to 3 inch blooms. I am careful to keep them deadheaded throughout the growing season. I don’t want them to spend any of that precious energy on making seeds, I want all the flowers I can get.
I have been trying some new varieties in the past few years and have been pleasantly surprised with some of them. I loved the ‘Agave’ Zinnia that I got from Johnny’s seed company. It has the same large-sized flower as Benary, but the ends of the petals are pointy. Hence, why it is called a cactus type. The different sunset colored blossoms were glowing in the late afternoon sun. This year, I cannot wait to try ‘Linen’, with its soft peachy pink flowers.
Zinnias want full sun with good air circulation. Zinnias can get mildew, so I try to help postpone this by keeping the leaves dry when I water by holding the nozzle as close to the
soil as possible. I know it does occasionally rain from the sky in the summer, but we try to do what we can to keep them healthy!
Rudbeckias are another staple in my cut flower garden. I have both perennial varieties and a few annual varieties that reliably come back each season. Both types like full sun and well-drained soil. Not only are they wonderful cut flowers, but they are great pollinator flowers. Indian Summer is a classic variety with a large flower size, beautiful golden yellow petals and a chocolate brown center.
This year, I am going to give Dahlias a go in my cutting garden. It may be a total flop, but they are too beautiful not to try. I think that the vast selection of colors and flower shapes are so intriguing. My garden is a mix of all different colors. So I am going to go for a mix of different types. Some large dinner plate types and a few of the smaller ball types. Dahlias have a long vase life and can be stunning focal points. Dahlias can be planted in the early summer when the soil temps have warmed.
ANNE WILDEBOOR
I have mentioned Gomphrena as one of my favorite summer annuals. It loves full to part sun, well-drained soil and comes in multiple colors. They come in short varieties but it is the tall QIS varieties that I love for bouquets. They have twelve-inch stems that give you flexibility in your arrangements. The round flowers have very little moisture in them, so they hold their color and can last in arrangements for weeks.
Sunflowers are my favorite flowers, truly. They make me smile and I think they are just so happy. There are a TON of varieties out there and they are super easy to start from seed. You can direct sow into your garden when soil temps are consistently warm, usually mid to late May, depending on the year. For a continuous season of bloom you should do multiple sowings. By sowing every 3 to 4 weeks, you will have sunflowers all season long. This year I am going to try the ‘Summer Breeze Mix’ in my garden. Looking forward to the bright yellow classic sunflowers, and the buttery yellow flowers with a rosy ring. It should be fun to use
them in different combos.
Solomon Seal and Bleeding Hearts are dainty blooms, but the foliage can also add texture to bouquets; don’t forget the foliage, that’s very important! It gives dimension and texture, especially if all of your flower shapes are round. Baptisia flowers and foliage are also lovely in arrangements. The linear flower or foliage can add balance, causing the eye to pause instead of moving past. Ornamental grasses can also work as a vertical element.
Veronica (Speedwell) and Salvia are repeat bloomers in my garden. So, I don’t feel bad at all cutting a few stems for an arrangement. Rockin Playin the Blues is a tall annual variety. It has come back reliably for four years in my garden at home. The smoky blue color looks stunning with other flowers. Speedwells are usually cool colors; purples, pinks, blues and whites. They have strong stems, which can give some structure and support to other flowers.
With my cut arrangements, I try to make them last as long as I can. My goal is a week, sometimes you get more. I do use a flower preservative which can help extend the shelf life. I also remove all foliage that will have contact with the water and I freshen my water every other day.
The great thing about cut flower arrangements is you can really use whatever you want. You can use whatever you have in your existing landscape. They are your plants; cut and enjoy whatever you want! But, if you don’t want to do that, buy that bouquet at the grocery store, farmers market, or florist. You deserve it!
Anne Wildeboor, is long-time horticulturist at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. She loves sharing her passion for plants with the public and working alongside dedicated staff and volunteers.
Horticulture Supervisor
National Hosta Display Garden Dedication at Deanna Rose
The new Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead American Hosta Society Display garden will be formally dedicated at the Farmstead on May 16 at 2:00 p.m. The garden will be one of three AHS display gardens in Kansas and the first of its kind in the Kansas City area. The garden is the result of the collaboration between the Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners and Deanna Rose Farmstead.
In the summer of 2022, Dennis Patton, former Horticulture Agent of the K-State Extension Johnson County, Kansas, suggested that the shady Beverly Garden at the Farmstead would be the perfect place for a nationally recognized display garden. The requirements for an
American Hosta Society designation include displaying and maintaining at least 100 Hosta varieties.
Johnson County Extension Master Gardeners Becky Davis, John Larson, and Denise Wood, the bed captains for Beverly Garden, ap-
plied for and received a grant from the Johnson County Extension Education Foundation to fund the project. The design of the garden was based on size, color, and variety of hostas, and how they would be seen by visitors. A living border of
Royal Standard hostas was planted as a hardscape for one edge of the garden, and a variety of companion plants were incorporated. Stepping stones cast from elephant ear leaves were crafted by Master Gardeners to create a path through the garden, improving visibility and accessibility to the plants. Deanna Rose staff constructed a border fence and installed irrigation for the garden.
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead has long been a fun and welcoming place for children and families to visit and experience turnof-the-century farm life in Kansas. We are delighted to add to this distinctive experience with the Kansas City area’s very own American Hosta Society National Display Garden.
3 Thing s YOU Can Do to Help
Plant Natives
Native plants are a food source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Add the plants shown below to your landscape.
Keep it Blooming
Protect native grasslands, provide nesting places, and become a wildlife gardener. To learn how, visit GrowNative.org 1 2 3
Keep something in bloom each season. Some species bloom all year, others only in April and May, still others in July and August. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/monarch
Get Involved
A Reblooming Bigleaf Hydrangea
Intense color from the right plant plus ideal soil chemistry
If hydrangeas could sing, that old jazz standard “Am I blue?” just might be their anthem. The answer, it turns out, depends on a couple of things: the plant itself, and what’s happening beneath your feet. First, the plant. Get that right, and you’re already halfway there.
My choice is Let’s Dance Lovable®, from the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® reblooming hydrangea series. This is a Hydrangea macrophylla, one of the types known for its ability to shift bloom color based on soil conditions, and boy, does it deliver rich, stunning color. Along with mountain hydrangeas, bigleaf hydrangeas have a unique relationship with soil chemistry that influences whether their flowers lean pink, purple, or blue. But before you start chasing that perfect shade, it’s worth understanding how the process actually works.
You might often hear the soil pH is the reason why a hydrangea blooms blue. But that’s only part of the story. Shifting blooms from pink to blue relies on two factors working together: Acidic soil and the presence of aluminum.
Understanding your starting point is key, which is why a soil test should always be your first step. The pH scale ranges from 0-14
with seven being neutral. Numbers above seven indicate alkaline soil, and numbers below mean your soil is acidic.
Aluminum becomes available to plant roots at about pH 5.5 and below (acidic soil.) At neutral or nearneutral pH, aluminum stays locked up in the soil even if it’s present.
In acidic soils the aluminum that is present can be released and absorbed by the roots of hydrangeas. Once absorbed, those aluminum ions trigger the production of the pigments that cause blooms to turn shades of blue.
Now, let’s address some of the more colorful advice you might hear. Pennies, coffee grounds, rusty nails… they make for great garden folklore, but they won’t reliably turn your hydrangeas blue. If you want real results, skip the coins and kitchen scraps and head to your local garden center. Look for aluminum sulfate, and apply it according to the label directions. This is the most effective way to encourage blue blooms.
Patience matters here. Color change can take an entire growing season as the plant gradually absorbs enough aluminum to shift its blooms, don’t expect overnight results.
Also, be aware that not all colorchanging hydrangeas are created with true blue in mind. Some varieties are genetically inclined to stay within a range of pink and purple. In those cases, adjusting pH may
nudge the color slightly, but it won’t deliver a dramatic shift to blue. That’s why plant selection matters just as much as soil chemistry when you’re chasing a specific shade. But no matter the spectrum, if
Natalie is rooted in horticulture, having worked in the family floral business until college, where she earned her degree in fine and theatrical arts. Now, an avid gardener, writer, and public speaker for Spring Meadow Nursery, Natalie delights in sharing her expertise and enthusiasm about the art of gardening, using Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Shrubs.
NATALIE CARMOLLI Shrub Expert
your goal is gorgeous, saturated color, Let’s Dance Lovable® hydrangea is an excellent place to start. This variety was selected not just for its ability to change color, but for the intensity of those colors. In acidic soils, the blooms can develop into deep purple or striking blue tones. In more alkaline conditions, they take on a warm, vivid pink. Unlike some varieties that resist going blue, this one has the genetic potential to deliver those cooler hues when conditions are right.
Beyond color, Let’s Dance Lovable® hydrangea brings serious garden performance. It belongs to the Let’s Dance® series of reblooming hydrangeas, which flower on both old and new wood. That’s a big deal for reliability. If a late spring frost damages early buds or if pruning happens at the wrong time, the plant still has the ability to produce flowers later in the season. You’re not pinning all your hopes on one round of blooms.
And it doesn’t hold back. This 3-4’ hydrangea fills out with lush mophead flowers throughout the summer, creating a layered look as fresh buds open alongside mature blooms, keeping borders, containers, and cutting gardens looking fresh for months. As the season winds down, rich burgundy foliage extends its appeal well beyond flowering.
Why grow Let’s Dance Lovable® reblooming hydrangea?
• Plentiful flowers throughout summer
• Extremely colorful blooms in either pink, purple, or blue
• Reliable reblooming on old and new wood
• Attractive burgundy fall foliage
• Hardy in USDA zone 5-9
So, is it blue? With Let’s Dance Lovable® hydrangea, the better question might be: what color do you want it to be? With the right soil conditions and a little patience, you can make the call.
To learn more about this and other exceptional flowering shrubs, visit ProvenWinnersColorChoice.com.
The Healthy Gardener Grow Your Own Hydration
When we think about hydration, most of us picture a glass of water, but staying hydrated involves more than just what we drink. Hydration supports energy levels, digestion, and helps regulate body temperature. While water is essential, it’s helpful to remember that hydration can also come from the foods we eat.
That’s where your garden can play an important role.
Planting a “hydration garden” is a simple and rewarding way to support your health right at home. Many fruits and vegetables are made up of 90% water or more, making them both refreshing and nutrient rich. Cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, leafy greens, strawberries, watermelon—and cantaloupe—are all excellent choices. These foods not only help keep you hydrated but also provide important vitamins and minerals your body needs.
By growing water-rich foods, you’re doing more than gardening: you’re cultivating wellness with every bite.
Cantaloupe Melon Kabobs
INGREDIENTS
1 cup fresh cantaloupe, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup fresh honeydew melon, cut in 1-inch cubes
1 cup fresh watermelon, cut in 1-inch cubes, remove seeds
1 cup of yogurt for dipping or drizzling
DIRECTIONS
6 servings
1. Wash melons under cool running tap water. Scrub outside of melons with clean vegetable brush and rinse. Cut open and remove seeds of cantaloupe and honeydew melons. Cut melon flesh from rind and remove any bruised or damaged areas. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
2. Press wooden stick through center of a piece of cantaloupe, leaving 1-inch of stick bare for a handle at one end.
3. Repeat pressing other pieces of melon on wooden stick alternating types until stick is full.
4. Refrigerate or serve immediately. Offer yogurt as sauce for dipping kabobs.
These colorful kabobs are a fun, refreshing way to enjoy hydrating fruits straight from your garden or local market.
Adapted from University of Missouri Extension’s Seasonal and Simple
Source https://extension.umd.edu/programs/family-consumer-sciences/snap-ed/eat-smart/recipes/ cantaloupe-melon-kabobs/
SIDNEY PATRICK Field Specialist
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.
One free, easy call gets your utility lines
AND helps
you from injury and
Safe Digging Is No Accident: “Always Call Before You Dig in Kansas” Call 811, 1-800-DIG-SAFE, (800-344-7233) or visit
Summer
BLOSSOMS
This Summer look for premier hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, and vegetables from your local Farm Fresh Selects® retailer.
Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City invites you to 3 Saturdays in July and August. Each tour offers up to 12 unique water features with lily and lotus blooms exploding.
July 25 Tour #1
Missouri South, including Jackson and Cass Counties
Aug 8 Tour #2
Kansas and Missouri, North of I-70
Aug 15 Tour #3
Kansas South of I-70
Tickets Good for all 3 Saturdays, are $15/person. Tickets include maps, addresses, and host written descriptions for each water feature. Tickets will be available on Eventbrite May 1st, in time for Mother’s Day gift giving, and in local retail garden centers by the first of June.
FREE KC Zoo passes on tour dates.
Proceeds from the tour support the Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City service projects for schools and other non-profits. Scan the QR code for the WGS 2026 TOUR information page.
More information about the tour is available on the WGS website www.kcwatergardens.com, or on the Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City Facebook page.
The Water Garden Society gratefully acknowledges our sponsors and advertisers for their support of our annual Water Garden Tour.
Certain species have a short shelf life in the garden.
In average garden soils— high in silt and clay—I expect pale purple cone flower (Echinacea pallida) and rose verbena (Glandularia canadensis) to live for a season or two before they start declining. Deceptively, they thrive early on, appearing healthy and vigorous. But when juvenile vigor wears off, these plants almost always decline, just when you thought you had it good. Vigor in young plants is the result of naturally produced plant growth hormones cytokinin (the “Youth Hormone”) and auxin. They typically exist in the early stage of seedling development, but then decrease as plants mature. It’s like life support. You won’t be on it forever, and you hope that conditions are stable when you go off of it, but often that is not the case.
Here are the conditions that make a difference for drought-dependent plants (glade plants): They seem
to persist long-term (many years), when they grow on slopes or welldrained gravely soils. These types of soils may exist along sidewalks or driveways in urban areas, but they also exist naturally on Ozark glades, which are grassland plant communities that occur on sloped rocky areas with thin soils.
Here are a few showy glade plants that are also a great choice for gravelly, well-drained rock gardens: smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), silky aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum), stiff aster (Ionactis linariifolia*), purple beard tongue (Penstemon cobaea), glade coneflower (Echinacea simulata), Missouri black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia missouriensis), downy phlox (Phlox pilosa), purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea), button blazing star (Liatris aspera), bottlebrush blazing star (Liatris punctata), fire pink (Silene virginica*), wild pink (Silene caroliniana), Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea), Trelease’s larkspur
SCOTT WOODBURY Horticulturist
Drought-Dependent Plants Live Longer on Slopes and Gravelly Soils
(Delphinium treleasei), Fremont’s leather flower (Clematis fremontii) Barbara’s buttons (Marshallia caespitosa), and cream wild indigo (Baptisia bracteata*).
All of these plants perform best in exceedingly dry, sloped, welldrained, rocky soils. Without question, these are some of the showiest and most popular wildflowers. They are also, without proper growing conditions, some of the shortestlived. Additional plants to consider are included on the Grow Native! Rock Garden Plan, available at grownative.org.
I have friends who live in the Ozarks, surrounded by rocky glades, with naturally occurring gravel and ledge-rock at the surface. These glades are also full of eastern red cedar trees (Juniperus virginiana), a native tree that, in the absence of fire, takes over glades.
In winter, my friends cut down and remove hundreds of eastern red cedar to increase sunlight and revive
glade wildflowers. They also sprinkle seeds of glade plants all around, and are having great results. The glades at Shaw Nature Reserve were first restored this way, by Edgar Anderson nearly 100 years ago. It takes a few years for plants to fill in and flourish, because these soils lack fertility (even so, they should never be modified or fertilized).
They may look harsh, but rocky glades are delicate and rare plant communities. They are intensely colorful and highly diverse habitats because of their specialized thin soils. They almost always occur on west and south-facing slopes in the Ozarks, and are threatened by an overgrowth of eastern cedar trees.
For those of you who are lucky enough to have rocks and gravel in your soil, happy glade restoring and rock gardening!
*plants that also benefit from acidic soils
Scott Woodbury is the owner of Cacalia: Native Garden Design and Wilding, and he is a Grow Native! professional member. Find suppliers of native plants and seeds, as well as landscaping services at grownative.org.
Butterfly Milkweed
Photos by Scott Woodbury.
Zebra Swallowtail on Feathery Bluestar in rock garden
Long glade where Edgar Anderson did first restoration work at SNR in late 1930s.
Diary of an Aspiring Green Thumb discovering the combined beauty of people and plants
Cooking is one of those hobbies that I take a great deal of pride in. I have had victories and many failures. Yet, with every attempt, I hope to raise the bar and impress my most critical customers (my kids—nah, who am I kidding, it’s my mother-in-law).
I have coached youth sports while watching my own kids’ triumphs and failures in their own individual athletic events. When you’re a competitor, you get used to working hard while still failing more than you succeed.
Whether cooking or sporting, we all aspire to improve as we gain knowledge and experience. Gardening is no different.
May is a funny time with eager gardeners that come into the garden center. They notice the gardening bug is now a BITE, rather than a nibble like the month before. Sensing urgency to get going, they ask, “Can I still plant (insert species)... Am I late?” Late? Oh no, dear gardener. Welcome in, you’re right on time!
Last year, I was new to the green industry and one particular interaction at the garden center left an impression on me. Here in the pottery aisles, I watched a couple spending a lot of time near the terra cotta clay pot section. Wanting to be attentive to customer needs, I wanted to make sure they weren’t waiting for assistance, so I approached with genuine curiosity and a desire to help.
The couple appeared to be in a deep discussion. Contemplating true concern for the health of the soon-to-be adopted plants. Concern
for the look, feel, and sizes of their pottery, as well as the aesthetics and uniformity of their future patio pots was a big decision.
On a side note, I don’t have a “theme” for pots on my patio, only function. In my home, my wife graciously gives me my opinion in any sense of fashion. So this customer situation became a fun challenge to
MATT SANNING
Customer Service
Specialist
help navigate.
I respected the couples’ diligence and deliberation working to create a theme of expectations and success. Turns out, it was their first time growing herbs in pots, and they seemed quite stressed about making any mistake. Now they found themselves coordinating decisions on pot size, color, and shape to the health
and success of their plants. Is it too big or too small? Will I be able to fit everything in? What if the mint overtakes the tarragon? Here was my simple suggestion: Find your style and don’t think too much about the rest. It’s just a couple of dollars for the herbs, so your investment likely won’t break the bank. Besides, herbs love close companions. Overplanting too many varieties is half the fun: Harvest early and often! Tomatoes, on the other hand? One per pot, please. Good luck, and godspeed. These few simple words eased my customers’ angst. My garden center friends have taught me that gardening is something that should bring peace and serenity to the gardener, not the sense of obligation or burden.
Last year, I planted a rose bush in hopes to bring fresh flowers to my wife every week. I had a great harvest at first, but over-pruned it trying to make “airflow” better. Very few offerings of admiration were presented to her after that. But the rose is now in good shape, and my anticipation of being able to provide these special gifts has grown stronger this winter. This summer, she will have a fresh rose each day … that is my hope.
It has been said that life is more about the journey, not the destination. Our hope for you is that gardening will never feel like a chore, rather it’s a place—a place to enjoy and escape the weight of life’s obligations. Let’s keep growing, and have fun along the way. Happy gardening. Remember to smile as you’re doing it.
Matt Sanning is a customer service specialist at Soil Service Garden Center & Nursery. He takes joy in gardening, but loves garden center customers, as they shine a light in so many ways. His goal is to share humor and bring joy to others through stories in the field (pun intended).
Spring Opening Bundles
International Compost Awareness Week 2026: Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us
As we move into the height of the spring planting season, May 3–9 marks a significant moment for our community: International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW). This year’s theme, “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us,” highlights a truth that seasoned
global platform to advocate for soil stewardship, uniting everyone from dedicated specialists to large-scale commercial operators in a shared mission to replenish the earth.
growers have long understood—the fundamental cycle of life begins beneath our feet. Organized by the Compost Research & Education Foundation, this week serves as a
Gardeners Connect FREE Speaker Series Speaker to Discuss ‘Milkweed, Monarchs, and Mexico’
Sat, May 9 at 9:30a
As gardeners, we recognize that compost is far more than just a waste-management solution; it is the ultimate soil amendment. By returning organic matter to our plots, we are actively feeding the soil ecosystem that, in turn, feeds our vegetables, fruits, and flowers. This practice physically transforms soil structure, improving porosity for robust root development and enhancing moisture regulation to ensure our crops remain resilient. We invite you to join us as fellow advocates during ICAW 2026 to help spread awareness of these benefits. Share your efforts and your harvests on social media using the hashtag #ICAW2026 to inspire others. For more information on how to get involved and to explore additional resources, visit compostfoundation.org/icaw-home. By championing the use of “black gold,” we aren’t just tending to our own gardens—we are collaborating to build a more sustainable and productive future for the entire growing community.
We are delighted when a monarch butterfly visits our garden, but their visit to our gardens is just a tiny part of a larger, remarkable life led by the colorful insects.
One Gardeners Connect member is looking forward to sharing her research into her latest obsession, the monarch butterfly. It is an obsession that has even taken her to Mexico, where they go for the winter.
Tracy Svec, a Master Gardener living in St. Joseph, Mo., plans to present “Milkweed, Monarchs, and Mexico” at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, at the Merriam Community Center, the Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater, across from Ikea at Johnson Drive and I-35. Come early to enjoy coffee and some breakfast treats.
The program is part of the Gardeners Connect Free Speaker Series. Everyone is welcome. Bring friends, and encourage neighbors to attend.
In addition to information about monarchs and milkweeds, come to be dazzled by pictures and videos from her Mexico adventures. Come learn how you can help this precious resource.
Svec relocated to St. Joseph in 2011 with her husband and their three golden retrievers. Her career
in IT spanned nearly 20 years. After she retired, she became a Master Gardener in 2023. She also has a passion for native plants, in addition to her love of animals and searching for tasty food.
At this program, attendees will be asked to vote on “Weed No. 1” from a slate of four nominated candidates: bermudagrass, bindweed, wild violets, and yellow wood sorrel. There will be prize drawings for each of the candidates and the winner drawn from the voters for the weed getting the most votes will get a little extra gift. Everyone gets to vote.
operated by Drew & Megan Diekmann
Year of the Sedum
Overview and History
Ask a gardener to name succulents and it won’t be long before they mention Sedum.
Sedum is one of the broadest and most well-known perennial genus. A friend to the novice gardener and trusted performer of the veteran landscaper, you can find Sedum available virtually wherever perennials are sold. They have built their popularity on durability, drought tolerance, and a propensity to thrive in challenging environments.
Basic Types of Sedum
Classifying Sedum into basic types is a challenge that has stumped botanists since Linnaeus first specified the genus. Depending on who you ask, there may be over 700 species, or as few as 200 species, as different classes have been segmented off into new or sub-genus.
Whether you accept the narrow or broad definition of Sedum, three characteristics tend to be true of all Sedum plants:
• A similar growing environment. They prefer to be grown in full sun (tolerating partial shade),
well-drained, and generally nutrient-poor soils.
• Thick, succulent, water-storing leaves.
• Clusters of star-shaped flowers that appear at the end
Their habits can be classified into roughly three forms:
Upright Autumn Stonecrops – these varieties tend to be as tall as they are wide with an upright, clumping habit. Sedum spectabile is one of the most popular species, and Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ is one of the most popular varieties. These types may also go by the name Hylotelephium.
Compact Clumping Sedum –Intermediate between the Autumn Stonecrops and Groundcover varieties, Sedum in this class tend to be under 12” in height and have clumping habits that stay where you put them in the landscape. These varieties are excellent for lining the front of the garden border or tucking into rock gardens. Sedum kamtschaticum and Sedum sieboldii are two of the most well-known species in this class. Sedum ‘Bright Idea’ and ‘Pure Joy’ are
two of the better-known cultivars.
Groundcover Sedum – Low, spreading plants. These varieties spread through underground stolons and will create a carpet of succulent foliage. Popular varieties in this class include Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ and Sedum ‘Blue Spruce’.
Where to Plant
These are plants that are adapted to live with less.
Most Sedum prefer dry, welldrained soils and handle poor, rocky, and nutrient-deficient soils exceptionally well.
Planting in consistently moist or nutrient-rich soils can cause stretching and tender growth that flops when the plant blooms.
Moisture
Sedum are succulents and so store a lot of moisture in their leaves. This allows them to go for long periods of time without supplemental watering.
Most Sedum begin to struggle if overwatered. Some possible side effects include stretching and lowered stem strength, resulting in floppy
plants.
Overwatering may also show as brown spots or cracks in the foliage. Though these symptoms may appear to be from pests or disease, it is actually swelling because of too much moisture that causes bursting in the leaves and a brown scab as the plant seals the wound.
Fortunately, Sedum are incredibly resilient plants, and these challenges can be resolved by moving these plants to a location with lower moisture or reducing irrigation.
Fertilizer & Amendments
Most times, no fertilizer or soil amendments are necessary to grow healthy Sedum plants.
As a genus, they are naturally adapted to lean, low-nutrient environments and often look their best in situations that reflect this.
An overabundance of fertilizer can actually be harmful to the plant and detract from its ornamental appeal.
Photos and article courtesy of National Garden Bureau. Learn more about Sedum at ngb.org.
Pure Joy
Bright Idea
Banana Split
Blue Spruce
Angelina
Autumn Joy
Landscape Design, Installation
Upcoming Garden Events
The Garden Club of Shawnee Thurs, May 7, 7p; at Shawnee Town, 1929 Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. Our program will be “Native Bees and Gardening Techniques” presented by Ann Manzardo, JOCO Extension Master Naturalist. We will serve drinks and snacks, and door prizes given away. Visitors are welcome! Learn about us at gardenclubofshawnee.org and our Facebook page.
Kansas City Cactus and Succulent Society Sun, May 17, 1:30-3:30p; at the Trailside Center, 9901 Holmes St, Kansas City, MO. All about Hoyas. The popular “wax flower”, named for its fleshy leaves and beautiful waxy flower cluster (known as an umbella) comes in a variety of colors and shapes. We will learn about proper growing habits, soil needs, watering and light requirements, and how best to encourage flowering and propagation. All welcome; refreshments served.
Kansas City North Garden Club Wednesdays in May, 10:30a-noon; at Kansas City North Community Center, 3930 NE Antioch Rd, KCMO 64117. Join us each Wednesday where we will plant seeds, maintain the raised beds and wildflower gardens, DIY craft projects, and hear from special guests from MU Extension and Platte County Master Gardeners. Contact Kendra Beaver, 816-513-7740; kendra.beaver@kcmo.org
Leavenworth County Master Gardeners Club Meeting / Advanced Training Wed, May 13, 11a; at Riverfront Community Center, 123 Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Leavenworth Co Master Gardener Katherine Gerges will discuss designing and planting a native plant garden. FREE. Visitors are welcome. For more info contact Leavenworth Co Ext office at 913-364-5700.
Raytown Garden Club
Tues, May 5, 10a; at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, 6429 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown MO 64133. The program will be “Enhance Life by Growing Herbs” presented by Margie St Germain, RGC Member and Avid Herb Grower. Guest are always welcome. For more information about our club, check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ RaytownGardenClub
Wy Co EMG Annual Plant Sale
May 1, 9a-5p, and May 2, 9a-2p; at the Wildcat Room of the Wy Co Extension Office, 1200 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS 66112. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, berries, hanging bas-
kets, annual flowers, and perennial flowers available. 913-299-9300; wyandotte.ksu.edu
Heartland Peony Society – Spring Bus Trip Sat, May 2, 7:30a-7p. Departing/Returning Leawood, KS bus trip to three gardens and two nurseries in Manhattan and Topeka, KS. $75 per person all-inclusive including donuts for breakfast, a box Lunch, Snacks and drinks. Space is limited; contact Bucky Will at buckywill@gmail.com with questions.
Central MO Master Gardener Plant Sale
May 2 and 3, Sat 8a-1p; Sun 12-3p; at Master Gardener Greenhouses, 810 Sandstone, Jefferson City, MO. Central Missouri Master Gardeners annual Plant Sale is our biggest fundraiser for the organization. We are selling plants, including tomatoes, peppers and hanging baskets, grown in our greenhouses by master gardeners. We also have perennials, including natives, donated by our members for sale. Prices vary starting from $4. We have three greenhouses full of tomatoes, annuals, vegetables and herbs. Greenhouses located in North Jefferson City by the dog park. Service dogs are welcome, but we ask that you leave pets at home or in the dog park.
Liberty’s Town and Country Garden Club Annual Plant Share
Sat, May 2, 8a-noon, at Rotary Plaza, downtown Liberty (100 W Franklin). We invite you to stop by for free garden plants from our members. We encourage you to share your own plants if you wish. No early birds please.
MGGKC Dig & Divide Plant & Garage Sale
Sat, May 2, 9a-3p; at 501 N Dodgion St (Next to ReStore), Independence, MO 64050. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City invite you to our HUGE Plant/Garage Sale event. We will offer perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, and houseplants for sale. MGGKC will also have garden items like pots and gardening tools, plus additional garage sale items specially chosen by Extension Master Gardeners. Take a break from shopping and attend our free class “Dividing Perennials” at 11:30a to learn how to divide perennials to encourage vigor and free garden expansion. Proceeds from this fundraiser support our local gardening projects and educational outreach programs that help Kansas City learn to grow. For more information contact mggkc. fundraiser@gmail.com
Platte County Master Gardeners Plant Sale Sat, May 2, 9a-3p and Sun, May 3, noon-3p; at Northland Career Center, 1801 N Branch St, Platte City, MO. Directions at: www.plattecountymastergardeners.org. Proceeds benefit the MU Extension Master Gardeners of Platte County. 1000s of Native, Annual &
Perennial Plants, Herbs, Tomatoes and Peppers. E-mail plattemgs@gmail.com; Facebook — Platte Co Master Gardeners
Olathe Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale Tues, May 5, 4-7p and Wed, May 6, 8a-12p; at 18505 W 114th St, Olathe, KS 66061. *Credit and Electronic Payments Accepted in addition to cash/check!* Come get some great new plants for your outdoor and indoor spaces while helping us raise money, this is our annual fundraiser for all of our philanthropic and educational activities throughout the year. You may find perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, flowers, pollinator-friendly plants, shade plants, sun-loving plants, house plants, and local artisan-made garden decor. Come meet the members of Kansas’ oldest garden club; established in 1929. Plant love and knowledge will be freely shared!
Spring Open House and Plant Fundraiser
Sat, May 9, 8a-2p; at Monarch Watch, KU West Campus, Lawrence, KS. Join us for Monarch Watch’s Spring Open House & Plant Fundraiser! Looking for plants for your spring garden? Our Plant Fundraiser will have dozens of species available, including milkweeds, host and nectar plants for native butterflies, and other annuals and perennials. These plants support monarch and pollinator populations as well as add beauty and function to garden spaces. Other activities during our Open House will include garden tours, games, arts and crafts, monarch butterflies and caterpillars, and more. This will primarily be an outdoor event. Online plant ordering will be available in advance in April, and more details will be posted soon on our events page. Thank you for your interest and support! https://monarchwatch.org/events
Native Plant Sale/Deep Roots
Sat, May 9, 10a-2p; at City of Prairie Village Municipal Offices, 7700 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66208.
Native Plant Sale/MO Prairie Foundation Sat, May 9, 10a-2p; at Remington Nature Center, 1502 McArthur Dr, St Joseph, MO 64505
Habitat Garden Tours
May 9, Jun 6, Jul 11, Oct 3. Highlighting Kansas City residents who understand why what you plant matters. These events are an opportunity for Deep Roots to recognize the native gardeners in different neighborhoods of Kansas City and showcase their beautiful gardens. The goals are to inspire locals to plant native, share knowledge on gardening maintenance and design strategies, and strengthen the native gardening community by bringing them together for a morning of plant talk, sunshine and laughter. See more
at: www.deeproots.org/habitatgardens
Spring Iris Show
Sat, May 16; at Colonial Church, 7039 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. Presented by Greater Kansas City Iris Society. Anyone may enter the Horticultural Division, with the correct American Iris Society approved name of a variety. Artistic arrangements can entered using unnamed iris as the dominant flowers in the design. Set up and entries: 8a, Judging starts 10:30a; Iris Show 12-4p. For complete Show Schedule, contact Carolyn Ash, Carolyn.Ash7@gmail.com. Mark your calendars for our Public Iris Sale later in the year, Aug 22, at the same location.
Native Plant Sale/MO Prairie Foundation
Sat, May 16, 10a-2p; at Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110.
Hummingbirds in your Garden
Tues, May 19, 6:30p. (Virtual--ZOOM). Program: “Hummingbirds: Jewels in Your Garden” by Ann Tanner, BAS President and KSU Extension Master Naturalist (Johnson County). Presented by Burroughs Audubon Society. Hummingbirds have returned to delight bird lovers! Enjoy beautiful photographs and anecdotes about these tiny birds. Learn how you can support them with their favorite native flowers and plants. Ann will also discuss hummingbird feeders and their maintenance. To register, go to burroughs.org (click on Activities page and then General Meetings). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Questions? Call or text (816)795-8177.
Native Plant Sale
Sat, May 23, 8a-noon; at Lenexa Farmers Market, 17201 W 87th St Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66219. Discover a vibrant variety of landscaping options. Browse grasses, flowers, and other plants from local vendors. For more information, lenexa.com/nativeplantsale.
Kansas City Rose Show
Sat, May 30; at the Loose Park Garden Center. As always, the event is free and open to all rose growers and photographers. Assistance will be provided for first time exhibitors. There will be Classes for live blooms and rose photographs. Entries will be accepted from 8:00a to 11:00a. For detailed rules, class lists, and tips on how to grow and show prize-winning roses, everything is available at kansascityrosesociety.org.
Rose Day
Sun, May 31, noon-3p; in the Rose Garden, Loose Park Garden Center. The time frame has adjusted this year from the previous year.
Upcoming Garden Events
Visitors can view the results of the Rose Show with hundreds of blue ribbons winners and beautiful silver trophies in the Garden Center. In the Rose Garden you can enjoy many family activities, live entertainment, and an afternoon of beauty in this world renowned rose garden.
Sedgwick County Garden Tour
Fri, Jun 5, 9a-5p; Sat, Jun 6, 9a-5p; Sun, Jun 7, 12-4p. Six gardens throughout Sedgwick County will be available for the public to view. Tickets are $10 and are available at the gardens, at Sedgwick County Extension office, 7001 W 21st St, Wichita, KS 67205 or online sedgwick.k-state.edu; 316-660-0100
Heartland Hosta & Shade Plant Society
Annual Spring Plant Sale
Sat, Jun 6, 9a-2p; at Woods Chapel Community of Christ Church, 500 NE Woods Chapel Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064. The sale features over 1000 plants including 50 varieties of Hosta and plenty of shade/part shade perennials! Prices start at $10 and we have all sizes of Hosta from mini to giant to suit all size gardens. This sale is open to the public. Sale list with pictures and descriptions will be available on the club website prior to the sale. For more information please visit www. HeartlandHosta.club or the Facebook page www.Facebook.com/HeartlandHostaandShadePlantSociety.
Railroading in the Gardens
Sat, Jun 6, and Sun, Jun 7, 10a-4p. Visit the 2026 Garden Railroad Tour consisting of ten train gardens at homes in the Kansas City area. See how gardening and model trains blend together in a creative and colorful way. Each garden railroad is different and unique with the trains running among a variety of plants and landscaping in a miniature world of trees, bridges, tunnels, houses and water features. Hosted by MO-KAN Garden Railroaders, the admission cost for this selfguided tour is $15 a car to see all the gardens for both days. This event is always fun for both adults and kids, with partial proceeds going to Harvesters. For details, tickets and tour guide, go to www.mokangardenrailroaders.org.
Beekeeper’s FunDay
Sat, Jun 6, 8a-5p; at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St, Lawrence, KS 66046. The Northeast Kansas Beekeepers Association announces its Beekeeping FunDay! Cost is $50 includes lunch, beverages, and honey ice cream. Vendors available for purchasing beekeeping related equipment. A silent auction will also be included to raise youth and veteran scholarships. For more information or to register visit http://www. nekba.org/bee-funday.html
Hermann, MO 31st Annual Town and Country Garden Tour
Jun 6 and 7. The Garden Tour includes both a walking tour of gardens in downtown Historic Hermann and a driving tour to gardens in the hills around Hermann. The $20 ticket price includes visits to at least five private gardens; these gardens are both in town and in the country and include a traditional foursquare garden, a unique greenhouse as well as raised bed, container, and vegetable gardens, a “stairway to heaven,” and a lavender farm. Garden Tour visits may be spread over Saturday and Sunday. Tickets will be sold online before the tour at Eventeny and during the tour at Topiaries (138 E 4th) in downtown Hermann from 10a-4p on Saturday and 10a3p on Sunday. Gardens close at 5p on Saturday and 4p on Sunday. A self-guiding map to the gardens will be provided starting on Saturday Jun 7 at 10a at the Topiaries ticket sale site; those who pre-purchase tickets will pick up the map at that time as well. The Hermann Garden Club’s website www.hermanngardentours.com provides up-to-date events, ticket prices, links to the online ticket sale site, contact numbers, and photographs of past tour gardens. Visit the FAQS page on the website for answers to all your questions. “Like” us on Facebook at “Hermann Garden Tours.” Go to www.visithermann.com to find information about lodging. The Garden Tour is always the first full weekend in June.
Union Hill Neighborhood Garden Tour
Sun, Jun 7, 10a-3p. Discover the gardens of historic Union Hill. Join us for flowers, food, music and family fun. unionhillkc.com/ garden-tour
Johnson County Extension Public Garden Tour
Fri, Jun 12 and Sat, Jun 13. Tickets available now! Early bird ticket prices will be $25.00 each. After May 10th tickets increase to $35.00 each. Day of tour ticket prices are $40.00 each. Just in time to tuck tickets into a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift. Learn more and purchase tickets online at: https:// www.johnson.k-state.edu/programs/lawngarden/special-events/public-garden-tour/ Gardeners get a chance to explore six beautiful private gardens filled with inspiration, creative design ideas, and unique plantings. While touring, stop by the Garden Thyme Marketplace to shop for handcrafted, gardeninspired goods available only during tour years, and visit the Extension Expo for additional Johnson County Extension resources. The Marketplace and Dennis Patton Garden Gallery Demonstration Garden are open to the public and do not require a ticket. Questions? Contact us at 913-715-7050 or garden. help@jocogov.org.
Ellie’s Garden Party & Homes Tour Sat, Jun 13, 9am-4pm (rain or shine). See spectacular gardens and historic Weston homes while enjoying delicious foods at each site. Tickets: $50 individual ticket or (2) tickets for $80.
CLASSES
Troubleshooting Tomato Problems
Tues, May 5, 6-8p; at Johnson County K-State Research and Extension, 11811 S Sunset Dr, Olathe, KS 66061. Join Anthony Reardon, Horticulture - Small Farms Extension Agent, for Troubleshooting Tomato Problems. Learn how to identify and address common tomato issues that affect plant health and yield. This session covers nutrient deficiencies, diseases, environmental stress, and other challenges, along with practical solutions to keep your tomato plants thriving all season. $3.00
K-State Garden Hour—Natives vs Cultivars
Wed, May 6, 12-1p. Virtual Event. FREE. Cultivars of native plants may dominate in the garden centers, but how do they compare to their true native counterparts — and does it really matter which you choose? Join Sharon Ashworth, Douglas County Horticulture Agent, as she answers these questions and shares what current research reveals about the differences in ecological value between natives and cultivars of natives. Register at: https://events.k-state.edu/event/k-stategarden-hour-webinar-natives-vs-cultivars-making-informed-choices-for-yourlandscape?utm_campaign=widget&utm_ medium=widget&utm_source=Kansas+Stat e+University+Events
Growing Nourishment: A Guide to Starting a Food Garden
Thurs, May 7, 11:30a; at Wyandotte County Extension Office, Sunflower Room, 1208 N 79th St, Kansas City, KS. Presented by Jen Stefanchik, Johnson County Master Gardener. Discover the techniques you need to cultivate your own thriving edible garden that nourishes both body and soul. This presentation explores the essentials of produce gardening from site selection and soil preparation to crop selection. We’ll go beyond just vegetables and delve into fruits, herbs, edible flowers, as well as companion planting and vertical gardening strategies so you can create your own unique food garden. Whether you’re a beginner plotting your first raised bed or an experienced gardener seeking new ideas, this session offers practical insights, creative inspiration, and proven techniques to help your garden flourish. Pre-registration is not required. A $10 class fee (cash or check) will be collected at the door.
Eco-Landscaping Courses
Starting May 13; at Johnson County Community College. Ready to dig into sustainable gardening? Discover how to transform your own yard into an eco-friendly, lowmaintenance haven that attracts pollinators and helps the planet thrive. No application process—Just sign up and show up. Go to: jccc.edu/wdce; Questions? 913-469-2323
A Guest Presentation with Lenora Larson: How to Convert Your Yard into a Butterfly Habitat
Sun, May 17, 1p; at Vinland Valley Nursery, 1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. FREE! Whether you’re already the steward of a fully landscaped garden or the owner of a blank slate, your entire yard can be easily converted into a butterfly habitat. Besides NO INSECTICIDES, the secret to success is feeding the children, the caterpillars, who are very persnickety. Each butterfly species only dines on a few specific plants. This presentation includes plant lists, horticultural and maintenance recommendations, and design tips that optimize your opportunities to view the precious caterpillars and their beautiful winged parents. Lenora will be available after the presentation for one-on-one garden talks. Pick up a copy of Making Gardens for Insects & Other Wildlife in the garden shop, or bring your pre-purchased book for Lenora to sign! 785.594.2966; vinlandvalleynursery. com
Making Hypertufa Vessels
Sat, May 23, 1p; at Vinland Valley Nursery, 1606 N 600 Rd, Baldwin City, KS 66006. $40 (Preregistration required). In this workshop you will learn the basic recipe and process for creating hypertufa containers. Hypertufa is an aggregate mixture pressed in or on boxes, baskets, and other forms to create rustic, natural-looking containers that can be planted in a variety of creative ways. A relatively light material compared to concrete, these sculptures and planters can withstand very cold temperatures. The moldable material makes it possible to create a variety of shapes and textures. You will create one to two small planters during this two-hour workshop with the option to take home your piece to dry and cure, or leave it at VVN for pick up once dry. $40/person. 785.594.2966; vinlandvalleynursery.com
List garden events, club meetings, plant sales, and more for FREE! Send details to: elizabeth@kcgmag.com. Deadline for the June issue is May 10.
GARDEN CALENDAR
May list of what to do in the garden.
TURF
• Verticut or core aerate Zoysia to reduce thatch layer.
• Sod or sprig bare areas of Zoysia.
• Fertilize Zoysia with a high-nitrogen product to promote green-up and summer growth.
• Mow Zoysia at 2 inches tall.
• Spot treat broadleaf weeds on a day without wind.
• Apply a slow-release fertilizer to bluegrass and tall fescue if watering during the summer.
• Mow bluegrass and tall fescue at 3 to 3 ½ inches.
• Withhold early summer watering until needed to promote more drought-tolerant lawns.
• Let grass clippings fall to return needed nutrients to the turf.
• Keep the mower blade sharp for a clean cut.
• Don’t blow grass clippings into the street. Discharge back onto the lawn to keep our streams clean.
TREES AND SHRUBS
• Plant new trees and shrubs.
• Prune spring flowering shrubs after bloom to shape the plant and encourage flowers next year.
• Mulch around young trees and shrubs to conserve moisture and control weed growth.
• Water young ornamentals as needed.
• Remove tree wraps for summer growth.
• Remove tree stakes that have been in place for more than one growing season.
• Fertilize trees to help increase growth rates.
• Use caution with line trimmers around trees and shrubs so as not to damage tender bark.
VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
• Plant tomato, pepper, and eggplant transplants in early to mid-May.
• Cultivate soil lightly with a hoe to control weed growth.
• Seed sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, beans, and other warm-season vegetables.
• Mound soil around potato plants to encourage tuber formation.
• Harvest fresh asparagus until the spear size decreases.
• Remove rhubarb seed stalks to promote leaf growth.
• Plant kitchen herbs for summer use.
• Harvest salad crops and enjoy.
• Keep broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage well fertilized for big yields.
• Treat fruit trees with needed pesticides to manage insects and diseases.
• Thin dense fruit set on apples and peaches to increase fruit size and next year’s crop.
FLOWERS
• Plant annual flowers for summer color.
• Continue to plant and divide perennials.
• Mulch perennial and annual gardens for weed control and moisture retention.
• Begin pinching chrysanthemums for bushier plants.
• Allow foliage from spring bulbs to stay until it dies down naturally. This develops stronger blooms for next year.
• Plant container gardens and hanging baskets using a good quality potting mix.
• Keep a garden journal for permanent reference.
HOUSE PLANTS
• Move plants outdoors for summer by gradually increasing their exposure to sunlight.
• Fertilize plants to promote summer development.
• Rotate plants to develop a well-rounded plant.
• Wash dusty leaves in the shower under room temperature water.
• Start new plants with 4 to 6-inch cuttings.
• Repot plants into a 1-inch larger pot.
• Check for insects.
K-State Extension Johnson County 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 and Anthony Reardon are the horticulture agents for K-State Extension Johnson County, each specializing in ornamentals and edible crops, respectively. For free information fact sheets, visit www.johnson.k-state.edu, or call our Garden Hotline at 913-715-7050.
Visit Town Gardens and Country Gardens in a Beautiful Historic Town on the Missouri River and Larger Gardens in the Hills Hermann,
The 31st Garden Tour includes both a walking tour of gardens in downtown historic Hermann and a driving tour to country gardens. The $20 ticket price includes visits to at least five private gardens both in town and in the country, including a traditional foursquare garden, vegetable gardens, a walled garden with a greenhouse, a lavender farm, and of course flower gardens. Garden Tour visits may be spread over Saturday and Sunday. Tickets will be sold online before the tour at Eventeny www.eventeny.com/events/hermann-gardentours-2026-21861/. During the tour, tickets are sold at Topiaries (138 E 4th) in downtown Hermann from 10-5 on Saturday and 10-3 on Sunday. Gardens close at 5PM on Sat-
Missouri, June 6 and 7
urday and 4PM on Sunday. A selfguiding map to the tour gardens will be provided starting on Saturday June 6th at Topiaries, the Ticket Sale Site; those who pre-purchase tickets will pick up the map at that time as well. The Hermann Garden Club’s website (www.hermanngardentours. com) provides up-to-date events, ticket prices, links to the online ticket sale site, a contact email, and photographs and descriptions of past tour gardens. Visit the FAQS page on the website for answers to all your questions. “Like” us on Facebook at “Hermann Garden Tours.” Go to www. visithermann.com for information about lodging and dining.
According to Garden Tour Chair Alice Calhoun, the gardens on the 2026 Garden Tour are unique: “We
Hotlines for Gardeners
Extension Master Gardeners are ready to answer
CASS COUNTY
816-380-8194; Wed, 9am-noon; casscomg@gmail.com
DOUGLAS COUNTY
785-843-7058; dgcogardenhotline@gmail.com; Mon, Wed, Fri, 1-4pm
GREATER KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AREA
816-833-8733 (TREE); Mon-Fri, 9am-noon; mggkc.hotline@gmail.com
JOHNSON COUNTY, KS
913-715-7050; Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; garden.help@jocogov.org
JOHNSON COUNTY, MO
660-747-3193; Wed, 9am-noon
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
913-364-5700; Leave a message. A Master Gardener will contact you.
MIAMI COUNTY & LINN COUNTY
913-294-4306; Apr 1 thru Oct 1; Thurs, 8am-noon
WYANDOTTE COUNTY
913-299-9300; Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm
QUESTIONS ABOUT ROSES?
Ask a Rose Expert; rosehelp@kcrosesociety.org; www.kansascityrosesociety.org
have many new gardens among both the town and country gardens. Town Tour gardens are usually lovely cottage gardens hidden behind historic homes. This year they will include a traditional four-square garden, flower gardens, an in-town walled greenhouse/entertainment area designed by the gardener, and small vegetable and flower gardens. Country Tour estate gardens tend to be much larger than Town Tour gardens and have different elements and features. This year’s gardens include a lavender farm as well as a large garden with interesting containers, bird houses, and structures.” Calhoun continues, “To get an overview of the beauty of Hermann’s gardens, visit www.hermanngardentours.com, our website. There you will see gardens that have
been on previous tours. On this site are also descriptions of the 2025 gardens. You will be amazed.”
Hermann, named “the most beautiful city in Missouri” and a Missouri DREAM city, has many wineries, over 60 bed and breakfasts inns, many antique and specialty shops, and galleries. And there are excellent eateries. Plan to spend the night and spread the tour over both days.
For more information, visit the www.hermanngardentours.com or contact the Garden Club directly at info@HermannGardenTours. com. Many of your questions are answered on the FAQs page on the Hermann Garden Tours website. For more information about lodging, shops, and restaurants, go to www. visithermann.com.
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Foliage or flowers, dress your outdoor space in color. Ferns & Palms, Bougainvillea, Dipladenia, Mandevilla, Gardenia Trees and more. Patio Plants
Tropical hibiscus starting at $24.99 Hyde Park seating collection starting at $1000
Spring
Tree & Shrub Sales
Select trees are on sale now through June 31st at Martin City or Lenexa. Every month brings a fresh round of shrub deals you won’t want to miss.
Right now is the sweet spot for blooms and we’ve got a full spread waiting for you. Flowering annuals, perennials, patio plants, colorful pottery and garden decor. All here at any Suburban location.