Spring Garden Market

Des Moines’ Favorite Spring Plant Sale

Thank you for attending in 2026—we hope to see you in 2027 | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Kick off gardening season at the Botanical Garden’s annual Spring Garden Market, one of the most anticipated plant sales in Des Moines. Shop hundreds of plants selected by Garden horticulturists, explore botanical vendors, and enjoy a lively garden marketplace in a beautiful setting.

Preview Evening | May 7, 2026

Sip, shop, and enjoy early access to plants before the market opens to the public.

Please note: the Preview Evening has reached capacity but you can still shop the Spring Garden Market this Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

A Top Spring Experience in Des Moines

Visit Spring Garden Market for a unique shopping experience located in Des Moines’ most beautiful garden setting. Browse hundreds of plant varieties and tried-and-true favorites selected by our horticulturists—plants that flourish in central Iowa gardens.

From experienced gardeners to first-time plant parents, Spring Garden Market offers inspiration, education, and one of the best plant selections of the season.

Shop with Purpose

All admissions and plant sales from Spring Garden Market support the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s programs in horticulture, education, and community engagement.

Your participation helps the Garden continue connecting people with plants and plant experts year-round.

New This Year: Dome Grownâ„¢ Plants

Discover the Dome Grown™ Collection, a unique selection of plants grown onsite by the Botanical Garden’s horticulture team.

These plants are specially curated for our seasonal displays and collections, giving you the opportunity to take home plants grown and nurtured right here at the Botanical Garden. Choose from vegetables, herbs, and other varieties perfect for central Iowa gardens.

A Curated Garden Marketplace

Beyond plants, Spring Garden Market features a curated marketplace of garden-inspired artists and makers. Vendors draw their inspiration directly from plants and the natural world—from pressed flower artwork to botanical jewelry and nature photography. The result is a shopping experience that blends gardening, art, and nature-inspired design.

Learn from the Experts

Botanical Garden horticulturists, Master Gardeners, and plant societies will be onsite throughout the event to answer your gardening question and dig deeper into plants that thrive in Iowa.

Potting Bar

Create your own container garden at Spring Garden Market. Choose your plants and container, and we’ll help you design and plant a beautiful arrangement to take home. With guidance from our horticulturists, it’s a fun and easy way to bring a little spring inspiration into your home.

Preview Evening

Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 5:30–8 PM

Spring Garden Market

Friday, May 8, 2026 | 8 AM–5 PM

Member-only shopping: 8–10 AM

Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 9 AM–4 PM

Sunday, May 10, 2026 | 9 AM–3 PM

Mother’s Day – Moms receive complimentary admission

Admission required to shop (free for Botanical Garden members).

 

2026 Shopping Guide Below

Event Details

Preview Evening

First Access to the Best Plants

Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 5:30–8 PM

$30 Member | $35 Nonmember

Start the Spring Garden Market weekend with a relaxed sip-and-shop evening at the Botanical Garden.

Preview Evening guests enjoy early access to the plant sale before it opens to the public, giving you the first opportunity to browse the best selection of plants while enjoying the tropical beauty of the Garden.

Your ticket includes:

  • Exclusive early shopping access
  • A signature drink
  • Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
  • Botanical vendors and artisan goods
  • Door prize drawings featuring Garden favorites

Horticulture staff and knowledgeable volunteers will be available throughout the evening to help answer questions and guide your plant selections.

Cultivator Ticket Experience – $125

Elevate your Preview Evening experience while supporting the Botanical Garden’s mission.

Cultivator guests receive:

  • Early entry shopping from 5–5:30 PM
  • Recognition as a Spring Garden Market Cultivator
  • Fresh floral boutonniere
  • Two additional raffle tickets
  • Entry into an exclusive drawing for a personal garden consultation with a Botanical Garden horticulturist

All Cultivator tickets include full Preview Evening benefits plus early shopping access before other guests arrive.

Market Vendors & More

Celebrate the kickoff to gardening season when you shop the many market vendors selection of art, home goods, and other garden-related merchandise. Learn more about some of our region’s most special plants from local plant societies and master gardeners.

Market Vendors

By Creative Heart, resin products using real flowers, leaves, botanical jewelry, trays, coasters, alphabet lamps

Daily Dish Pottery, wheel-thrown pots, hand-built functional stoneware

Gary Hoard Photography, nature and Iowa photography

Jungle House Plant Shop, houseplants and 3D printed planters

Iowa Honey Queen & Spring Valley Honey (Saturday only), honey for sale, beekeeping info

Kelsey Wilson Studio, botanical paintings and prints

Lan Nguyen Fine Art, pressed flower art

Nancy Carlson Expressions, paintings on glass, upcycled frames and 3D glass items, vases, etc

PepperHarrow, fresh/dried flowers, lavender self-care products, perfumes, cut flowers, garden seeds

Plant Societies/Horticulturist Groups

Central Iowa Orchid Society, orchids for sale

Dallas County Master Gardeners, gardening advice

Mid-Iowa Cactus & Succulent Society, plant society info

Russ O’Harra Hosta Society, hostas for sale, plant society info

Tickets

Thursday Evening Preview
Member $30 | Nonmember $35

NEW
Spring Garden Market Cultivator Ticket $125

Fri-Sun:

Members: free
Adult: $12
Youth: $9
Senior: $11         

Pineapple, Museums for All, AHS Reciprocal Admission Program: free  

 

Food & Beverage

Flora is serving fast-fired pizzas and light concessions in Koehn Garden Thursday through Saturday of the market. Flora café is open for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm on Friday and Saturday. In addition, for a reservation-only Mother’s Day brunch buffet on Sunday with seatings at 9 am, 11 am, and 1 pm.

Thursday, May 7, 2026: Flora fast-fired pizza & concessions, from 5:30-8 pm.

Friday, May 8, 2026: The coffee truck, AM Brew will be onsite from 8am-5pm. Flora will offer fast-fired pizza & concessions, 11-2 pm.

Saturday, May 9, 2026: The coffee truck, AM Brew will be onsite from 9am-4pm. Flora will offer fast-fired pizza & concessions, 11-2 pm.

Sunday, May 10, 2026: Mother’s Day Brunch SOLD OUT

  Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor

And, thanks to Mary Oothout and all our volunteers and supporters

Thank you to our Cultivator Ticket Supporters

Jenny Drake
Peggy Armstrong-Gustafson & Gregg Gustafson
Craig & Kimberly Lien
Tam Lines
Shannon Maddy
Melinda & Charles Ruperto
Cheyenne Zychowski

Please Support Your Botanical Garden

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