During your visit to this Des Moines attraction, enjoy indoor and outdoor gardens offering close encounters with plants for visitors of all ages. The Garden also houses Trellis, a café and the Garden Shop.
Conservatory
From the exotic leaves of bromeliads to the strangely shaped cactus, you can take a botanical journey of the globe in the Conservatory. As you step into the Conservatory, you will be immersed in the richness of the tropics, complete with exotic orchids and other flowering plants, beneath towering palms and trees otherwise foreign to Iowa. Featured tropical plantings include the star fruit tree along the north walk; the Tapeworm plant, resembling a fern; the chenille plant with long fuzzy flowers; and the traveler’s palm. The Conservatory’s tropical plantings surround a waterfall that spills into a pool with koi, goldfish and turtles. The Conservatory’s Desert Garden is an example of the many fascinating plants that populate arid spaces of the world. Discover curious cacti and other succulents in Desert Garden such as Agave, century plants; Euphorbia, crown of thorns; Crassula, jade plants; and a number of woody lilies such as Nolina and Yucca.
Outdoor Gardens
Allee
Alle, sited to draw visitors to the farthest reaches of the Botanical Garden, is like a grand entrance hall with rooms opening off it at intervals. Stroll through the Allee and enjoy the cooling shade and shadows cast by the canopy of trees. Beneath the trees, you can delight in carefully chosen plants.
Belvedere
Running parallel to the Allee is the Belvedere. You can wander the Belvedere boasting a commanding view of the Des Moines River and the downtown skyline. Strategically placed containers filled with seasonal plantings are featured throughout. Be sure to take a break, the garden offers inviting areas where you can sit and be calmed by the river’s flow and beautiful surrounding views.
Conifer Garden
The Conifer Garden, true to its name, features dwarf forms of arborvitae, bald cypress, false cypress, juniper, pine and spruce. Delight in the true cones of the conifer; the fleshy, modified cones of the arborvitae and juniper; and the green, yellow and blue shades of the dwarf conifers.
Container Gardens
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden successfully containerizes a large variety of plants. Explore the Container Garden for planting tips and ideas. Among the container plantings are small trees, shrubs, flowers, bulbs, succulents, herbs and vegetables.
Meadow Garden
In the northernmost reaches of the Botanical Garden is the Meadow Garden. Forming the garden’s base are short, drought-resistant fescue grasses in which spring-flowering bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and native wild flowers are planted.
Perennial Border
At the heart of the Botanical Garden is the Perennial Border, a masterfully designed and richly planted border that evokes the spirit of the Midwest while offering the glories of the mixed border: shrubs, perennials, small trees and seasonally fresh annuals. On a sunny afternoon, one might spot a yoga class or special event taking place in the lawn next to the Perennial Border.
Art and Sculpture
Art and sculpture in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s indoor and outdoor gardens adds to the visual experience of the gardens by providing a focal point, by serving to anchor a planting or by leading the eye to a different destination. In the Conservatory, you can find notable sculpture by Neal Deaton and Des Moines artist Jon Hrabe. Outside sculpture includes the Spectral Liberation at the front of the Botanical Garden by internationally recognized artist Christiane T. Martens, The Courtyard Fountain by Peter Morasco and Persona I, II, III by regional artist Mark LaMair.
Dining at Trellis
Start or end your visit to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden at Trellis, a café by Lisa LaValle. The café’s plant-inspired menu features soups, salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes all made with locally-sourced ingredients. Beverages including wine and local brews are also available at Trellis.
Shopping at the Garden Shop
Be sure to stop by the Garden Shop. Items unique to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden are available to purchase.
- Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the admissions desk.
- Temporary horticultural exhibits are regularly featured at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.