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...

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...

How to Enjoy Bulbs this Winter or Spring

by Delaney Lynch | Sep 18, 2026 | Activities, Horticulture, How To

Grow & Tell: Plant a few bulbs outdoors this fall, and future you will be glad you did Bulbs are the easiest way to add color and seasonal interest to your home or garden. Truly—if you can dig a small hole or fill a pot with soil, you can grow beautiful bulbs....

Queen of the Night

by Delaney Lynch | Sep 4, 2026 | Bloom Extra, Horticulture

The Magic of a Night Blooming Cactus Imagine waiting months, or even years, for a flower that opens for just one extraordinary night. That’s part of the magic of Queen of the Night. While most flowers put on their show during daylight hours, these remarkable night...

See the Beauty in Our Edible Border

by Delaney Lynch | Aug 7, 2026 | Activities, Horticulture, Things to Do

Where the Vegetable Garden is a Feature Can a vegetable garden be just as beautiful as it is productive? Absolutely. If you’ve ever thought vegetable gardens belong behind the fence while flower beds took center stage, think again. This season at the Greater Des...