Kansas City’s winter season is visually interesting, though we often find ourselves seeking something more from our winter wonder landscapes. What people consider ‘winter interest’ and even what each individual deems interesting, in any season for that matter, can be a surprise just like gifts from Santa on Christmas morning! Join me as we take a quick sleigh-ride adventure to further define this ideal of winter interest while providing specific examples so no one’s left without a gift this winter season.
Visual Gifts of the Season
All across the KC Metro, things have been getting interesting. Spring, summer, and fall blooming plants recede back into the garden as evergreens, grasses and sculptural elements take center stage. The trees of our beloved deciduous landscape have displayed their brilliant colors and continue to stand firmly with their leaves as their blanket underneath. Lights from our treasured Downtown, Plaza District, and Longview Lake shine bright, helping to spread the spirit of the season through the streets and hearts of everything and everyone. Yet among these treasures, there’s one question: what to do in this winter wonderland for fun?
Winter Activities around KC
Santa’s bag of goodies has nothing on the activities that will take you out into this world of planting, art, animals, and activities. Take the family to the Nelson-Atkins for viewing the wonderful art displays or visit Kemper Museum for additional art fun as well as Scavenger Hunt Saturdays and monthly Tots on Tuesday workshops. There are numerous options for experiencing nature and animals such as the Kansas City Zoo, SeaLife Aquarium, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, and Fleming Park at Lake Jacomo – Bison & Elk enclosure to name a few. If you like musicals, ballet, and movies, check out the Kauffman Performing Arts Center or catch a film at Union Station. Again, many of these places offer great planting displays, indoor/outdoor experiences, and activities for all ages.
Fresh Air Fun
Maybe you’re looking for something a little closer to home? If it snows this winter, take your family and friends to a nearby park for sledding. If it doesn’t snow, your family and friends will still enjoy some fresh air and sightseeing (we all know how stuffy it can get in our homes during the holiday season). Sometimes you and your beloved guest need a little more space during the holidays – Clark Griswald certainly knows it!
“Clark: So, when did you get the tenement on wheels?
Eddie: Oh, that uh, that there’s an RV. Yeah, yeah, I borrowed it off a buddy of mine. He took my house, I took the RV. It’s a good looking vehicle, ain’t it?
Clark: Yeah, it looks so nice parked in the driveway.
[Raises glass to his mouth]
Eddie: Yeah, it sure does. But, don’t you go falling in love with it now, because, we’re taking it with us when we leave here next month.
[Clark nearly chokes on his drink]”
Use the Winter to Make Spring Gardening Plans
Our holiday season includes finishing leaf cleanups and scheduling winter watering visits. Come talk to us about what we can do for you. Have you been thinking about updating or enhancing your landscaping? We can help with everything from rearranging your current plant material creating a fresh new look, to designing an entire renovation for your property. The winter months are a great time to get plans in place so we can get started as soon as Mother Nature allows in the spring. Together we can create a design that is perfect for you and your home.
Make Your Home Festive with Outdoor Containers
Speaking of your home, don’t forget about Greenleaf’s wintergreen arrangements to keep your outdoor containers full, fragrant, and looking beautiful all winter! These also make great gifts for family and friends who may or may not have the green thumb gene. Click to see a few Winter Greens Arrangements that we have done.
If you like the look, call the office to place an order and we’ll create one for your front door. Call 816-916-5171. Enjoy the holiday season and don’t forget about all those interesting things to see and do out there!