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Chair's Corner...
By Judy Moser,
FOTA Executive Committee Member
It's an exciting time at the Arboretum. There are several areas currently under construction, and it's truly fun to watch!
As part of the Arboretum's Master Plan, SERENITY POINTE is a new garden under construction adjacent to the Erickson Water Garden. A ten-foot decorative wall is being built on the front side of the garden, which will overlook the future Erickson Rose Garden and points beyond.
The CELEBRATION TERRACE in the Learning Arboretum will soon be ready for individual pavers to be engraved with messages of remembrance and celebration. Pick up a brochure in the Visitors Center and learn how you can reserve your Celebration Paver. A new retaining wall is being built on the south side of MARGARET'S POND to stop erosion. The sidewalk will be replaced and an ornamental fence added for safety. 
Construction will soon begin on the first phase of the new TRAIN GARDEN, adjacent to the Children's Garden. Much of this work is made possible through the fund-raising efforts of FOTA volunteers. You can help simply by joining FOTA or renewing your membership. You can buy your garden plants at the SPRING PLANT SALE, or sign up for a class. Most important - bring your friends and family and have a great time watching things grow at the Arboretum! PHOTOS BY MARK HIGGINS |
Reserve Your
Celebration Paver
The Celebration Terrace will be completed soon. Located to the north of Margaret's Pond, the Terrace features a combination of various size pavers that are ready for purchase and engraving. Underwritten by Chuck and Karen Haake, the Celebration Terrace will allow FOTA to profit from all the pavers sold. Pavers will range in size from a 12 x 12 for $250 to as large as a 24 x 24 for $1,500. Email for more information: CelebrationPavers@gmail.com  Gift certificates are also available for purchase. Be thinking about what you would like to celebrate in stone and how you can be a part of the Arboretum's history.
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Native Plants at
the Arboretum
by Ken O'Dell
There are thirteen species of buckeye on planet Earth. Of the four species in the United States the Overland Park Arboretum has one of the most beautiful. Yellow Buckeye or Aesculus glabra is plentiful at the arboretum. Walk any of the paths from the visitors center down toward the back of the arboretum and you will pass hundreds of these beautiful small trees. In April and May the tips of the branches have large 2 or 3" long upright clusters of leaves and flower buds which unfurl to show a large, nearly star-shaped leaf of a medium green color and about 4" or 5" across. Flower clusters also unfurl from these tips to about 5" in length. They are made up of many small yellowish flowers that are showy from mid-spring into June. The green leaves turn to a bright golden to sandy tan color in autumn. 
Our native yellow buckeye in the wooded areas is frequently a thin tree with very stout branches and a strong attractive bark. Often planted as an understory tree in wooded areas it blends in perfectly, as this is usually the native setting you will find them growing in. If planted in full sun as a specimen tree it will be full and thick with more branching and heavier foliage. We always point out the features of our yellow buckeye during our wildflower tours at the arboretum. PHOTO BY CAROL FOWLER |
Contact Information
FOTA Chair Teri Shields:
Terishields@aol.com
Volunteer Coordinator Phyllis Merrick:
VolunteerCoordinator@opkansas.org
FOTA Coordinator Suzie Swyden:
fotacoordinator@yahoo.com
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Help Protect the Planet by Supporting the
OP Arboretum's Annual Spring Plant Sale!
Spring Plant Sale May 5-6-7
It seems that we're all "going green" these days. One great way to practice sustainability is to incorporate native plants into your landscape - and the spring plant sale at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a great way to start or add to your native plant collection. Landscaping with native plants is better for you and the environment, because these specimens have already adapted to our climate and require minimal watering and maintenance.
This year's plant sale will be held Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friends of the Arboretum (FOTA) members can get first pick by attending the sneak preview on Thursday, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. and receive a 10% discount on all purchases. You can join FOTA at any time online or during the sale to receive the discount.
Besides native plants, there will be a great selection of annuals, perennials, Certified Organic herbs, and a wonderful assortment of hostas - all from our friends at Sullivan's Greenhouse and all locally grown. Planters and hanging baskets will also be available, and make perfect Mother's Day gifts for Mom or Grandma.
The Arboretum's herb expert Lenora Wuattoux-Ray will present herb demonstrations on Friday and Saturday at 12:30 pm. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and help with plant selection.
 Proceeds from the sale benefit the Arboretum's ongoing projects, including the new train garden!
The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is located at 8909 West 179th Street in Overland Park. More information is available at www.opabg.org or by calling 913.685.3604.
Make Mother Nature happy - don't miss this event!
PHOTOS BY ANDREA WATERS
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Order Bulbs for 2012 Online Now!
Again this year the Arboretum staff has given FOTA the inside scoop on the best spring bulb varieties for our area. Many of these tried-and-true varieties will be on display in the Gardens in the next few months. Come and feast your eyes, and then order your bulbs online.
Arboretum Director Karen Kerkhoff has selected four of the best Narcissus (Daffodil) varieties, the most robust Darwin Tulips in four vibrant colors, and the two stunning Allium varieties you saw last year in the Monet Garden. Don't be left out -- ORDER NOW!
PHOTO BY CAROL FOWLER
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Attention Art Lovers, Painters
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is featuring an exhibition of Monet's Water Lilies from April 9 through August 7. Monet's Water Lilies will re-unite the three panels of an exceptionally impressive Water Lily triptych, created by Monet between 1915 and 1926. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, The Saint Louis Art Museum and the Cleveland Museum of Art each own one panel of the triptych and the exhibition will offer a rare opportunity to bring the works together for the first time in more than 30 years.  The Water Lilies was purchased by William Rockhill Nelson Trust and is an oil on canvas, 78-3/4 inches x 13 feet 11-1/2 inches.
On June 28, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is offering a one day painting class in the beautiful setting of the Arboretum's Monet Garden. Artists will work with watercolor techniques drawing inspiration from the flowers, water lily pond, picturesque bridge, sunlight, shadows and reflections. If you would like to enroll in this watercolor class, call the Nelson-Atkins at 816-751-1278, option 2 to enroll. FOTA members will receive the same 20% discount as Nelson-Atkins Members. Class with discount is $64. All art materials and camp stools for seating will be provided. PHOTO BY CAROL FOWLER |
Arboretum Makes Local News
The Arboretum was featured recently on the NBCActionNews Proud to Call It Home series. Check it out!
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Classes -- Now through May
For complete class descriptions and to register for classes, go to opabg.org. Bring your paid receipt to class for admission. No refunds for missed classes. For further information or to register the traditional way, contact Phyllis Merrick, Volunteer Coordinator, at 913-685-3604 or email volunteercoordinator@opkansas.org Bird Walk: Learn, Listen, and Identify the Birds Saturday, April 30, 8 am, free, space is limited to 10 adults
Join our bird specialists as they take you on a walk through the Arboretum sharing their wealth of knowledge about birds and how to identify them by their songs and calls. Please dress appropriately (closed toe shoes and long pants are recommended). Bug repellent and binoculars are encouraged. Bird Walks are sponsored by the Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop, 11711 Roe (913-491-4887) and 7347 Quivira Road (913-962-0077) www.wbu.com/kansascity. While this is free, the walk is limited to 10 adults so you must pre-register. 
Geocaching Tour (Free):
Saturday, May 14th, 10:00 to 11:00 am
Class is limited to 10 adults
Come learn about geocaching, a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with a handheld global positioning system (GPS) device. The basic idea is to locate containers, called "geocaches," hidden outdoors, by means of latitude and longitude coordinates. Geocaching is enjoyed by families and people from all age groups who have a strong sense of community and support for the environment.
Soil is Not a Four Letter Word (Herbs)
Wednesday, May 18th - 10:00 am - 1 :00 pm
$25.00 per person. Class limited to 30
Earth is a true living breathing organism. The health of your earth is vital to the flavor and strength of your vegetation. Let's create an awareness in our gardens that will be harmonious. You will share your ideas with us. Join our herb expert, Lenora Wuattoux and get a better understanding of the earth as a living entity, advance gardening techniques to produce healthy plants, as well as other interesting facts. Bird Walk: Learn, Listen, and Identify the Birds Saturday, May 21, 8 am, free, space is limited to 10 adults
(See April 21 listing) Classes meet in the Visitors Center, 8909 W. 179th St., Overland Park, KS. Most classes are limited in size, so sign up early! PICTURED ABOVE: EARLY COLOR IN THE MONET GARDEN PHOTO BY CAROL FOWLER |
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