Kauffman Memorial Gardens

It seemed as though it would never come... beautiful, glorious, sun-shining, flowers blooming, birds chirping... Spring! And soon-to-be summer. This beautiful day inspired us to get outside and enjoy nature, and that meant a trip to visit the Kauffman Memorial Garden. The 2-acre garden is part of the Kauffman Legacy Park in the heart of Kansas City. Powell Gardens, in partnership with the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, manages and maintains the garden.

Visitor Information

• Address: 4800 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO
• Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk
• Admission: Free
• Garden Information Line: 816-932-1200
• Group Tours: To arrange a visit for a group of 10 or more, please call 816-932-1200.

With five beautiful garden designs, featuring 7,000+ plants and flowers including perennials, annuals, shrubbery and trees - the garden is a breath of fresh air and calm surrounded by the bustle of Kansas City. Not far from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Toy & Miniature Museum, the Country Club Plaza, the Plaza Library, Brookside, Loose Park and not far from Crown Center and Downtown - pairing a visit to the gardens with a stop at a favorite attraction or shopping district makes a wonderful day trip. We stopped for lunch at Minsky's and dessert at Glace Artisan Ice Cream - the day was delightful!

The Gardens

• Green Garden: The Green Garden’s centerpiece is where water jumps in a playful octagonal pool. It is bordered on the south by a beautiful pergola of overhead planter boxes filled with cascading seasonal flowers that create a space where Mrs. Kauffman’s favorite flower, the gardenia, can be found during the growing season. Four beds surround each corner of the garden containing spring-blooming magnolias.
• Orangery: The conservatory “orangery” flanks the north side of the green garden and offers a sheltered gathering place for visitors and a site for fragrant seasonal plants encircled by six large pindo palm trees. The Christmas display is a seasonal highlight, and a must-see during a Plaza area visit.
• Parterre Garden: The Parterre “Canal” Garden is home to a majestic long pool where bronze figures by local artist Tom Corbin dance in the water. The long canal pool is lined with a colorful display of annuals and tropicals that change with each season. Paths behind rows of flowering crabapples feature long borders of beautiful perennials.
• Secret Garden: The secluded Secret Garden behind the conservatory features its own distinctive watery accents in the form of jumping fountains that delight visitors young and old.

Tips and Rules:

• Bring a camera - photo ops abound!
• Plan to enjoy other nearby attractions - listed above. A visit to the garden will take as much time as you like - we typically spend 30-60 minutes. The gardens are not very large, but there is a lot to see and enjoy. It is a wonderful place for reading, visiting, and study.
• Be considerate of others - this includes plants. No picking plants, no litter, use general consideration for future guests.
• No smoking or alcoholic beverages.
• No pets allowed except for assistance dogs.
• Stay on paths.
• Stay out of the beds, trees, fountains and off of the garden walls.
• The restrooms are not for changing. Please come to the garden in desired outfit.

A few of our Photos from Kauffman Memorial Gardens: