Discover the ancient Japanese art of bonsai, learn its fascinating history, how to care for these unique specimens, and how to wire and shape them into living sculptures. The class fee includes a starter bonsai plant. This is a two-part class. Registration includes both sessions. Registration required. Ages 12+. $81 Members | $90 Nonmembers Register Here
Embrace the spooky season with the Cauldron Succulent Drop In activity! In this self guided activity, you’ll have the opportunity to plant a vining succulent in a mini cauldron. This activity is perfect for plant lovers and Halloween enthusiasts alike! No registration needed. Ages 10+. $10 per adult participant
Choose a plant or flower in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden conservatory to bring it to life in a plein air painting.
Admire the Garden as you work out during this outdoor Zumba class! Zumba is a dance fitness program that combines Latin and international music to create an easy, fun, and effective workout anyone can do. Cristina Rodriguez, a certified Zumba instructor and ZIN™ member with eight years of experience, will teach this class. Ages 12+. $17 Members | $20 Nonmembers Register Here
Come decorate a novelty pumpkin with pressed florals. We provide pressed flowers, faux pumpkins, and all materials, you bring your creativity! We will provide a variety of shapes and sizes of pumpkins, so this workshop is great for all ages and skillsets. Registration required. $34 Members | $40 Nonmembers Register Here
Get into the Halloween spirit with us! Craft a boo-tiful and eerie mini garden for your home with gorgeous and spooky succulents! Learn how to safely plant and care for succulents along with all the growing tips and tricks you need. Registration required. Ages 12+. $34 Members | $40 Nonmembers Register here
Trick-or-treating, interactive activities, and entertainment. Learn about trees and spooky botanicals. Costumes encouraged. Fun, festive, and whimsical—not scary. Great for all ages. Presented by Country Landscapes. Get tickets here!
Learn all about lilies at the Iowa Regional Lily Society’s Fall Symposium, hosted by the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. A variety of lily bulbs will be available for purchase and experts will be on hand to answer all your lily questions. Mark your calendars and don’t miss this incredible opportunity to explore these beautiful garden staples and take some home for your own garden. Included with general admission. Iowa Regional Lily Society information Fall Symposium Schedule 9:00 am–Bulb Sale opens 9:30 am–Peggy Nerdahl “Jewels of the Garden” 10:15 am–Break: Door prizes 10:30 am–Forrest Peiper “Hybridizing Lilies for Beginners” 11:20 am–Break: Door prizes 11:30 am–Rick Rodich “Lily Seed Starting for the Serious and the Inquisitive” 12:30 pm–Bulb sale, Door prizes and bulb sharing Speaker Bios Peggy Nerdahl started growing lilies in 2008. She has hundreds of lilies in 13 raised beds in Chaska, Minnesota – about 25 martagons, numerous Asiatics, about 10 MN hybrids, oriental trumpets, trumpets, regale, dauricum, davidii, davidii berry red, pumilum, concolor and canadense species. Besides being a big purchaser at the fall and spring NSLS bulb sales, Peggy starts lilies from scales and from bulbils. Peggy is concentrating hybridizing efforts on trumpets. She has about […]
Are you an aspiring orchid grower? This beginner's workshop will familiarize you with the orchid family and teach you how to maintain and propagate healthy plants. You will receive your own orchid to start your collection! Registration is required. Ages 12+. $34 Members | $40 Nonmembers Register Here
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden invites you to take off your coat, unwrap your scarf, and immerse yourself in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s NEW dazzling family holiday tradition—Dome for the Holidays! Stroll through our transformed tropical oasis as you enjoy a dynamic display of thousands of twinkling lights, an incredible collection of blown glass sculptures, festive music, train display, gnome hunt, refreshments, and more. This enchanting holiday display is sure to be a sought-after, unforgettable family tradition, as it’s the perfect way to experience all the magic of the season. Dome for the Holidays’ new evening format showcases an indoor illuminated light show throughout the tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House. All ages will enjoy the wonderful and artful displays, boasting thousands of lights, from butterflies to trees, from swirling and sparkling to interactives! Incorporated throughout is a stunning collection of blown glass pieces created by Hot Glass out of the Quad Cities. Don’t miss our beloved holiday Train Display – featuring a new look and theme, and our family of holiday gnomes to find! *Some dates excluded: Closed on Nov 22 and on Holidays (Thanksgiving–Nov 28, Christmas Eve–Dec 24, and Christmas–Dec 25.) *Some additional dates included: […]
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden invites you to take off your coat, unwrap your scarf, and immerse yourself in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s NEW dazzling family holiday tradition—Dome for the Holidays! Stroll through our transformed tropical oasis as you enjoy a dynamic display of thousands of twinkling lights, an incredible collection of blown glass sculptures, festive music, train display, gnome hunt, refreshments, and more. This enchanting holiday display is sure to be a sought-after, unforgettable family tradition, as it’s the perfect way to experience all the magic of the season. Dome for the Holidays’ new evening format showcases an indoor illuminated light show throughout the tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House. All ages will enjoy the wonderful and artful displays, boasting thousands of lights, from butterflies to trees, from swirling and sparkling to interactives! Incorporated throughout is a stunning collection of blown glass pieces created by Hot Glass out of the Quad Cities. Don’t miss our beloved holiday Train Display – featuring a new look and theme, and our family of holiday gnomes to find! *Some dates excluded: Closed on Nov 22 and on Holidays (Thanksgiving–Nov 28, Christmas Eve–Dec 24, and Christmas–Dec 25.) *Some additional dates included: […]
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden invites you to take off your coat, unwrap your scarf, and immerse yourself in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s NEW dazzling family holiday tradition—Dome for the Holidays! Stroll through our transformed tropical oasis as you enjoy a dynamic display of thousands of twinkling lights, an incredible collection of blown glass sculptures, festive music, train display, gnome hunt, refreshments, and more. This enchanting holiday display is sure to be a sought-after, unforgettable family tradition, as it’s the perfect way to experience all the magic of the season. Dome for the Holidays’ new evening format showcases an indoor illuminated light show throughout the tropical conservatory and Gardeners Show House. All ages will enjoy the wonderful and artful displays, boasting thousands of lights, from butterflies to trees, from swirling and sparkling to interactives! Incorporated throughout is a stunning collection of blown glass pieces created by Hot Glass out of the Quad Cities. Don’t miss our beloved holiday Train Display – featuring a new look and theme, and our family of holiday gnomes to find! *Some dates excluded: Closed on Nov 22 and on Holidays (Thanksgiving–Nov 28, Christmas Eve–Dec 24, and Christmas–Dec 25.) *Some additional dates included: […]
