The Wells Fargo Rose Garden If you've visited the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden between spring and fall, you were first greeted by the dynamic, colorful Wells Fargo Rose Garden. We carefully design and organically maintain this garden to challenge the definition of traditional rose gardens—you'll find more than roses here! As the [...]
Tips for Healthy, Happy Houseplants Houseplants are known to offer a host of benefits to their owners. Aside from adding bright, colorful décor, they also purify the air in your home and can boost your mood. Although the conditions in your home may seem stagnant throughout the year, houseplants need specific care throughout [...]
Spring Cleaning with Pollinators in Mind With warm weather and sunshine this early in spring, many gardeners are beginning their cleanup. While it can be exciting to finally be back in your garden after a long winter, the timing of these tasks is important for our native insects. Native solitary bees, such as [...]
Spring Emblems When I submitted the manuscript for my last book, Plants With Style, my editor wondered what exactly I meant by emblems, the title of the third chapter. Maybe it was March excursions into the woods north of my family’s home or the June hikes into the prairie down the road from [...]
Connecting Guests to the Garden Stationed inside the conservatory or outdoors during events, our volunteer Garden Hosts welcome guests and enhance their Botanical Garden visits every day. They may help with wayfinding, provide a clue to an elusive scavenger hunt quest, point out a plant of interest, mention an upcoming concert to a [...]
Whether Des Moines is your final destination or just a stop along the way, there is something for guests of all ages to enjoy at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Immerse yourself in the world of plants as you walk through seven acres of vibrant, resilient plantings in this urban retreat. Location [...]
Propagation: Sharing the Plant Love It's no secret that growing plants indoors is the key to keeping a gardener happy throughout Iowa's harsh winters. But when those plants begin growing too well—or too fast—it's nice to trim the excess and share a plant start with a friend, family member or coworker. Unfortunately, understanding [...]
Aroids: The Millennial Gateway to Gardening You’ll find their distinctive leaves and notorious flower stalks on everything these days from curtains to wallpaper. Aroids, such as philodendrons and arums, all members of the family Araceae, have skyrocketed in popularity due to their dramatic appearances and pop cultural cachet. For Millennials, they may even [...]
A Few of Our Favorite Amaryllis for the Holiday Season Late fall and early winter signal the beginning of amaryllis season. These massive bulbs produce showy, colorful blooms that add the perfect touch to holiday decor--it's no wonder these flowers have become so popular during this time of year. Read below for [...]
An Ecological State of Mind When I first interviewed for my role at the Garden a year and a half ago, I was thrilled to hear about the ecologically sound practices the horticulture team deploys. With my background in ecology, I felt right at home. As I got to know this place, I [...]
