Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden facts for kids

The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is a beautiful 2-acre botanic garden in Kansas City, Missouri. It's part of the Kauffman Legacy Park. This special garden is cared for by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Powell Gardens.

You can find the gardens close to the Country Club Plaza and the main campus of the University of Missouri–Kansas City. The Kauffman Memorial Garden is surrounded by strong limestone walls. It has lovely brick paths and cozy seating areas. The garden shows off five unique designs.

Five Garden Areas

The Kauffman Memorial Garden is split into five amazing sections. Each one has its own special look and feel.

The Allee: A Shady Entrance

When you enter the garden, you'll walk through "The Allee." This area has Peking Tree Lilacs that provide lots of shade. Below them are beautiful blue Endless Summer Hydrangeas and other seasonal flowers. "Allee" is a French word. It means a walkway that is lined with trees or tall bushes.

Green Garden: Water Fun

The heart of the Green Garden is a playful octagonal pool. Water jumps and splashes in the middle! On the south side, there's a lovely pergola. This is a structure with overhead planter boxes. They are filled with flowers that hang down. You can often find Mrs. Kauffman's favorite flower, the gardenia, here. Four flower beds are around the corners of this garden. They have magnolias that bloom in the spring.

Orangery: A Cozy Spot

The "Orangery" is next to the Green Garden on its north side. It's a sheltered place where visitors can gather. You'll find fragrant seasonal plants here. In winter, the garden's citrus, camellia, and gardenia plants are kept warm inside. The garden's orchid collection is also hidden in the "boots" of four large pindo palm trees. The Orangery's winter holiday display is a must-see if you visit the Plaza area.

Parterre Garden: Dancing Statues

The Parterre "Canal" Garden has a long, grand pool. In this pool, two bronze figures called Jazz I and Jazz II seem to dance in the water. These statues were made by a local artist named Tom Corbin. The long canal pool is lined with bright annuals and tropical plants. These plants change with each season. Paths behind rows of flowering crabapple trees have long borders of beautiful perennial flowers.

Secret Garden: Quiet Reflection

Behind the conservatory, you'll find the quiet Secret Garden. This hidden spot has its own special water features. It's a peaceful place where you can relax and think.

About the Memorial

The garden is a memorial to Ewing Kauffman and Muriel Kauffman. They were important business people and generous givers in Kansas City. Their burial sites are located here in the garden.

The Kauffmans loved to travel the world. Their trips inspired them to create this garden. They wanted it to be a place for everyone in the community to enjoy. The garden cleverly includes plants from both Muriel's and Ewing's backgrounds. It features plants popular in Canada and Missouri.

In total, the garden has about 7,000 plants! These include old and new types of perennials, annuals, shrubs, bulbs, and trees. Local volunteers and gardeners work together with Powell Gardens. They help take care of the garden every day.

Image gallery

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  Entrance to the Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden from the East

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  Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden main building and courtyard fountain from the southwest

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  Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden (west view from center court)

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  Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden view of west fountains from south walkway

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  Ewing Kauffman burial site

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  Muriel Kauffman burial site