Our garden etiquette is designed to enhance your experience—as well as the experience of fellow patrons—and to protect our unique plant collection.
To ensure an enjoyable visit for everyone, we ask you to please:
- Stay on the paths unless otherwise designated. Please do not play, climb on, or attach anything to water features, sculptures, plants, or trees.
- Take pictures! Monopods are permitted; tripods, lighting and props are not (see our photography policy above for further details).
- You are welcome to smell and gently touch the plants, but please do not remove leaves, fruit, seeds or flowers from any plants in the garden.
- Please do not touch the bonsai.
- Outside food is not permitted. Dining options and refreshments are available at Trellis Café and in the Garden Shop. Rental clients may use our approved caterers for food and beverages.
- You may bring your service animal, but please leave your pet at home. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden does not allow pets on Garden grounds. Service animals are permitted in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Service animals are defined by the ADA as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
- Refrain from smoking, vaping or using any type of nicotine product at our facility. The Garden, including our parking lot, is a tobacco-free zone.
- Refrain from playing active sports and games except those provided by the Garden.