Botanical Collections at Powell Gardens

Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden, is more than just a beautiful non-profit botanical garden. It’s a living museum dedicated to the preservation, study, and celebration of a diverse collection of plants. The Gardens’ carefully curated botanical collections provide a critical resource for plant conservation, both regionally and globally, ensuring that the natural world thrives for generations to come.   

A Living Museum   

With more than 21,000 plants on record as of 2020, Powell Gardens has established itself as a leader in horticultural documentation and conservation. The collection serves as a reference tool for researchers and is integral to long-term planning for the Gardens.   

Thanks to a grant received in 2020, Powell Gardens transitioned its collection to a digital platform, offering public access to its data through Garden Explorer. This digital platform allows visitors to explore plant collections, take virtual garden tours, and learn more about Powell Gardens’ role in plant conservation from wherever they are connected to the internet.   

As a nonfederal cooperator with the Plant Conservation Alliance, Powell Gardens actively works to protect native plants and their ecosystems by maintaining, enhancing, and restoring plant populations.   

Collections of Note at Powell Gardens 

Powell Gardens boasts an impressive array of specialized plant collections, each contributing to its mission of education, conservation, and beauty. Highlights include:   

• Magnolia Collection: Certified by the American Public Gardens Association’s North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC), this collection honors past Director of Horticulture Alan Branhagen. Stroll the Dennis and Annette Young Magnolia Walk by the Visitor Center to admire these breathtaking blooms.  

• Conifers: Recognized as a Reference Garden by the American Conifer Society, Powell Gardens’ conifer collection offers a year-round display of texture and color.  

• Orchid Collection: With over 2,000 orchids, this collection takes center stage during the spring exhibition, Orchid Delirium, showcasing these exotic flowers in habitats that reflect their natural environments. 

• Waterlilies and Lotus: Certified by the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society, these aquatic plants bring vibrant life to the Gardens’ water features.  

• Dogwoods, Native Trees and Shrubs, Rock Plants, Daylilies, and Bearded Iris: These diverse collections highlight the beauty and resilience of Missouri’s native flora and beyond. 

• Hardy Ferns: Powell Gardens serves as an affiliated garden for the Hardy Fern Foundation, ensuring that this ancient plant lineage is preserved and celebrated.  

• Herbarium: Under the guidance of University of Missouri – Kansas City Professor Tamas Kapros, Ph.D., Powell Gardens has created a digital herbarium, an invaluable tool for botanical research and education.   

How to Interact with Powell Gardens’ Collections   

Our botanical garden exists to inspire an appreciation for plants in our region. Try these suggestions for interacting with Powell Gardens’ collections:  

Explore in Person

See the plants for yourself! Visit the Gardens this year (March 1,2025 – January 3, 2026) to immerse yourself in the living collections. Walk the curated trails and exhibits to experience plants in every season. 

Go Digital with Garden Explorer

Use the Garden Explorer platform to take digital tours and learn about the plants from the comfort of your home. Discover the stories behind your favorite flowers and trees with just a few clicks. 

Attend Special Events

Events like Orchid Delirium, Horticulture Highlights, and seasonal exhibitions provide an opportunity to interact with the collections in unique and educational ways. 

Participate in Classes, Workshops, and Tours

Gain deeper insights into Powell Gardens’ collections by joining guided tours or signing up for a class or horticultural workshop. 

Explore Classes  

Plan Your Visit   

Whether you’re a botanist, an avid gardener, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, Powell Gardens has something for everyone. Explore our certified collections, marvel at seasonal displays, and discover the vital role botanical gardens play in plant conservation.   

Ready to see these incredible collections for yourself? Plan your visit today or start your journey online by exploring Powell Gardens’ collections through Garden Explorer. Together, we can celebrate and protect the beauty and diversity of the plant world.