Late summer shines at Powell Gardens with dahlias, a last look at LEGOs and bountiful culinary adventures

September brings award-winning dahlias, a last look at the Nature Connects 2 LEGO® sculpture exhibit plus opportunities to taste the harvest at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden. Here’s a look at what’s happening during September at the Gardens, located just east of Kansas City on Highway 50. Unless otherwise noted, all activities are included with regular Garden admission.

Dahlias Take Center Stage Sept. 5-6

Members of the Greater Kansas City Dahlia Society bring the cream of the dahlia crop to Powell Gardens for an annual fall show. Visit the display between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sept. 5 and 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sept. 6.

A Last Look at LEGO® Sculptures

See what New York artist Sean Kenney created with some 300,000 LEGO® bricks. His Nature Connects 2 exhibit includes 27 sculptures set in 14 scenes ranging from a gardener tending plants to a family of Mallard ducks and a monarch butterfly. The exhibit ends Monday, Sept. 7.

Monarch Tagging

Become a citizen scientist by learning the art and science of monarch butterfly tagging during drop-in sessions from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, 16, 18 and 20. By tagging monarchs with tracking numbers, scientists can study migration and population trends. Nets and tagging materials will be available to use during these sessions, which are included in regular Garden admission. The sessions will be cancelled if it rains or temperatures fall below 55 degrees.

Chef Demonstrations and Tastings

See how chefs and culinary experts use fresh food grown in the Heartland Harvest Garden on Sunday afternoons, with free samples while supplies last. Then taste what’s in season from the daily tasting station. The chef demo schedule includes:

• 2 p.m. Sept. 6: Julie Kendall of Café Blackadder;

• 2 p.m. Sept. 13: Chef/Culinary Instructor Richard W. McPeake and students from the Kansas City, Kansas, Community College Culinary Arts Program;

• Noon, Sept. 27: Laura and Tim Tuohy, owners of Kansas City Canning Co.; and

• 12:30 p.m., Oct. 4: Beth Bader, co-author of “The Cleaner Plate Club,” and 2 p.m., Craig Howard, chef/owner of Howard’s.

Under a Harvest Moon: A Farm to Table Fund-raising Dinner

Now in its seventh year, Under a Harvest Moon raises funds to help children in the region learn about healthy eating by planting, harvesting and preparing fresh food. The 2015 event takes place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, with guest chef Ryan Brazeal of Novel Kansas City. Using fruits, vegetables and herbs grown in Powell Gardens’ Heartland Harvest Garden, Chef Brazeal will create a memorable meal that follows a cocktail reception in the garden. For ticket information, visit www.powellgardens.org/HarvestMoon or call 816-697-2600 x207.

Scarecrows in the Garden: Call for Entries

Deadline: 5 p.m. Sept. 27

Families, school classes, scouts, garden clubs, businesses and individuals are invited to enter this salute to the icon of autumn. Scarecrows will be displayed throughout the month of October. No fee is charged to enter a scarecrow, but Garden admission applies to view them. See details at powellgardens.org/scarecrow or call 816-697-2600 x208.