More than a Mission

by Delaney Lynch | Nov 6, 2026 | Good to Know

Growing a Garden for Everyone A botanical garden is more than a beautiful collection of plants. It’s a place to explore, connect, learn, and discover something unexpected. At the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, that means creating opportunities to experience the...

Nature’s Cannons: Science of Ballistic Seed Dispersal

by Delaney Lynch | Oct 30, 2026 | Good to Know, Horticulture

Our hort team had a mystery to solve. We wanted to collect seeds from wild petunia (Ruellia humilis) growing in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s parking lot gardens. But whenever we checked the plants, the mature seed pods were empty. Only green, immature...

BOOtanical Halloween Fun Facts

by Delaney Lynch | Oct 23, 2026 | Good to Know, Signature Event, Top Event in Des Moines

Presented by Voya | T Fiber | Iowa Taproom Now thru Oct 31 Each October, the Greater Des Moines BOOtanical Garden transforms the dome into one of Central Iowa’s most unforgettable destinations. The tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House are filled with...

Grow & Tell: How to (and Why!) Make a Fall Sensory Bottle

by Delaney Lynch | Oct 16, 2026 | Good to Know, How To, Youth & Family

Capture a Little of the Beauty of Fall and Hold it in Your Hands Colorful leaves, tiny seeds, pine needles and other treasures found on an autumn walk can become a simple sensory activity that brings nature indoors. A fall sensory bottle gives children a chance to...

Hidden Threats to Tree Health: Girdling Roots

by Delaney Lynch | Oct 9, 2026 | Good to Know, Horticulture

Some of the most important parts of a tree are the ones you can’t see At the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, an upcoming renovation to the planting beds in the Ruan Allee gave our horticulture team an opportunity to take a closer look at the health of these...

Stinky Succulent

by Delaney Lynch | Oct 2, 2026 | Good to Know, Horticulture

The Bloom That Tricks Flies At first glance, Stapelia gigantea looks almost too extraordinary to be real. Its enormous, star-shaped flowers can grow larger than a dinner plate, with pale yellow petals marked by reddish lines and covered with fine hairs. But step a...