Extraordinary woodlands, sunny botanical gardens, and fragrant fields of flowers invite you down their paths for bouquets, inspiration, and show-stopping snaps.

Photography by Aaron Patton 

BARTLETT ARBORETUM

BELLE PLAINE

Once a rarity on the treeless prairie, this woodland sanctuary flourishes a century later with flowering pathways and a rich sense of harmony— both naturally and musically. Robin Macy, a founding member of the Dixie Chicks (now The Chicks), tends the haven and its events, beginning each April with Art at the Arb set amid an inland sea of 40,000 tulips.
 

BOTANICA

WICHITA

At this 20-acre wonderland, sculptures, water features, 4,000 plant species and a restored 1949 carousel accent more than 30 themed areas. Open year-round, Botanica celebrates the seasons with flower festivals, concerts, traveling exhibits and the illuminating finale: gardens aglow with more than 2 million holiday lights. 
 

BOTANICAL BELONGING

TONGANOXIE
 

Display beds showcase native plants perfect for tallgrass prairie, perennial, wetland and shade areas. Choose favorites among 200 species grown here on Happy Apple’s Farm, then purchase potted plants for your home. The nonprofit also invites volunteers to work in its gardens, grow their own and spread the love for native Kansas landscapes. 
 

BRAMBLE’S EDGE FARM

ROSE HILL

Photographers love to ramble these brambles for pictures set among zinnias and flowering fields. Pick your own bargain bouquet ($6 for 12 stems), herbs, mint, berries and pumpkins at the 8-acre farm. A market sells eggs from the resident hens, fresh produce, and locally made soaps and candles in addition to flowers and herbs. 

Photography by Aaron Patton 

KLAMM FLOWERS

BONNER SPRINGS

Outfitted with loaned clippers and a jumbo water cup, visitors venture through the farmyard’s raised beds, snipping zinnias, sunflowers, dahlias, celosia, and basil for a take-home bouquet. The fifth-generation farm hosts Sip and Snip (wine and flower picking) and flower-arranging classes. They also take bookings for photo shoots in the fields.
 

THE LAVENDER PATCH FARM

FORT SCOTT

More than 1,000 plants and 20 varieties of lavender turn the prairie purple during June’s peak bloom. Meander the fields to pick a bundle or take a tour to learn how the crop is grown, harvested, and dried. Try lavender ice cream at the annual festival in June, or purchase handmade soaps and lotions from the gift shop throughout the season.
 

WARD-MEADE HISTORIC SITE

TOPEKA

Blend history with gorgeous grounds on a stroll through Old Prairie Town and the 2.5-acre Ward-Meade Botanical Garden. Its National Hosta Display Garden, one of only a few in the country, features hundreds of hostas. A National Daylily Display Garden and more than 500 varieties of flowers, trees, and shrubs round out the show. Paved pathways allow wheelchair usage throughout the garden. 

RURAL ABUNDANCE

The Sunflower State’s bumper crop of experiential offerings has never been more popular—or easy to reach. To find out where you’re welcome to pick sunflower bouquets, saddle up for ranch roundups, help with the harvest on a working farm, sip and stroll in a vineyard, and bunk in a grain bin, check out the state’s registered agritourism sites.

Photography by Starboard and Port 

Discover more natural beauty across the state in the 2023 Official Kansas Travel Guide.