Gowing Trends - this weeks interviews

Hello to our Growing band of followers.

We pre-recorded both of these interviews a few weeks ago, each is really quite special, and is the start of a series of Horticultural interviews with a Different Perspective.

We have to thank Dr. Richard Benfield for this, we interviewed Richard in Australia – he will be on the show shortly. Richard was fresh from watching three kangaroos demolish a fence in front of his vehicle as he drove in Western Australia.

Richard is a professor whose research has revealed some fascinating facts – for instance food & garden tourism attracts over 78 million visitors a year across the USA !

So here is the first in this series, we hope to add one a month within the programming, please do let us know what you think, any ideas or requests.

This weeks show is from two truly outstanding places –

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s superb Sculpture Park.

Being a transplanted ‘Brit’ , living in Kansas City, I was amazed to find 13 Henry Moore statues in our midst, they are like a place of inspiration, and just get the creative juices flowing for this designer.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a gem, here in the American heartland.

The sculpture park is celebrating 25 years this year, it is a must see attraction in Kansas City. So on a rather windy evening Ann & I called in to interview the Sanders Sosland Curator, Jan Schall, Ph.D.

The park covers some 22 acres, in the middle of Kansas City, just along from the Plaza. It was opened in 1989, designed by Dan Kiley & Jaquelin Robertson, there are more than 30 sculptures.

The Sculpture Park is FREE to the public, open year round during daylight hours, and a wonderful place to have a picnic!

The Kauffman Memorial Garden

This is a truly beautiful garden, superbly maintained by Duane and his volunteer staff, the garden has so many wonderful plants in this walled garden’s micro -climate, the attention to detail , the care make this probably one of the best gardens in Kansas City

Absolutely stunning at this time of year !

The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden draws inspiration from the couple’s journey through life and their commitment to share with others. It is an enduring gift for Kansas City that extends the legacy of a gracious couple and welcomes visitors to a vibrant landscape throughout the year.

The Kauffmans’ world travels inspired the creation of a space comparable to parks throughout Europe. The garden features bronze sculptures by Tom Corbin among lush and colorful annual and perennial plantings, pruned foliage framed by stone walls, brick walkways and playful fountains.