At Powell Gardens, we work with many talented, area professionals to bring you an exciting lineup of classes each season. This month, meet David Bird of Bird’s Botanical. Bird’s Botanical started as a home-based greenhouse dedicated to growing beautiful orchids. Now, located in a climate-controlled cave in the Interstate Underground Warehouse in Kansas City, David’s orchid collection has grown from hundreds to thousands.

David’s love for orchids started as a child during a family trip to Hawaii. He returned with five orchids, and has been adding to his collection ever since. His colorful career as a horticulturist began at Denver Botanic Gardens, then to North Dakota’s International Peace Garden. Later his career took him to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and finally to Powell Gardens, where David started an annual orchid exhibit leading to the launch of Bird’s Botanicals.

To kick off 2014, David is teaching Growing Orchids at Home at Powell Gardens on Friday, January 10. Come learn how to care for orchids at home. Plus, you will receive an orchid of your own and have the chance to purchase more to keep or give as gifts. See more details and register by January 8.

If learning something new is among your resolutions for 2014, make sure to check out all of our upcoming classes. Coming up next is Plants in Print at Linda Hall Library, 3-5 p.m. Friday, January 24. Learn more here.