A Tapestry of Blossoms
Your guide to planting bulbs for continuous garden beauty and pollinator delight. A garden brimming with color and life is a true joy. One of the most enchanting ways to achieve this is by planting a diverse array of bulbs that bloom throughout the seasons, providing a continuous spectacle of beauty while [...]
December 2023 Adult Programming
There's no place like DOME for the holidays! Join us for a variety of winter and holiday-themed programs such as creating art, decorations, or even a new candle! Check out this month's programs: Winter Floral Arrangements | Friday, December 1, 5:30-7 p.m. Get into the seasonal spirit with an evening of winter floral design fun! Combine flowers, winter [...]
November 2023 Adult Programming
Soak up the last month of autumn with the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Join us for programs that offer new experiences, new tastes, and new plant friends—and do it all from the beauty of the Botanical Garden. CANCELED: Fern Friends | Wednesday, November 1, 5:30-7 p.m.Learn all about ferns from those that make great houseplants to their [...]
Leaf Pigment Chromatography
Learn why the leaves change in the fall! One of the greatest things about autumn is watching leaves turn from green to yellow, orange, and red. This colorful transition is the result of changing amounts of compounds inside leaves called pigments. Chlorophyll is used by plants to convert sunlight into sugars, [...]
October 2023 Adult Programming
We're falling in love with autumn here at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Join us for a variety of fall-themed programs perfect for getting into the festive season! Houseplant Propagation | Tuesday, October 3, 5:30-7 p.m. Have a houseplant that is overgrown or one you would like to have more of? In this hands-on workshop you’ll learn [...]
September 2023 Adult Programming
September 2023 Adult Programming Fall is on its way, and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden has some exciting fall-themed programming in September. From charcuterie to wood burning, you won't want to miss out. Bonsai for Beginners | Saturday, September 2 and 9, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Discover the ancient Japanese art of bonsai, learn its fascinating history, [...]
Flowers We Eat
Have you ever eaten a flower? If you've ever eaten broccoli or cauliflower, you have eaten a flower. These yummy vegetables are not the only edible flowers though. Whether tossed in a salad or garnishing a cake, learn about a few edible flowers you might find in your backyard!* Violets These [...]
Botanical Dye
Tie-dye at home using colorful dyes made from plants! People have been using natural materials to create colorful dyes for thousands of years! Join in the tradition by creating dyes from plants, some of which you might already have at home. Materials Large, metal pot Water Strainer Plant material Something to [...]
August 2023 Adult Programming
August 2023 Adult Programming Looking for fun, educational, and flavorful summer activities? The Botanical Garden offers a variety of educational classes for many interests! Check out our August programming below. Prairie Hike | Tuesday, August 1, 5:45-6:45 p.m. At Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge Take a hike through Iowa’s natural heritage on this prairie hike at Neal Smith [...]
Cooking with Cacti
Learn how to cook with these prickly plants! We cook and eat plants all the time, but have you ever tried cactus? Learn about edible cacti while creating a delicious salsa! About Cacti Cacti are members of the Cactaceae family, which includes approximately 1,750 known species. Cacti are exclusively native to [...]
Make Invisible Ink!
When life gives you lemons, make invisible ink! Need to send a secret message? Create invisible ink with lemon juice! Materials Lemons Water Bowl and spoon Cotton swab White paper Lamp Instructions: Squeeze lemon juice into bowl, add a few drops of water and mix with a spoon. Dip cotton swab into [...]
DIY Backyard Terrarium
Create your own mini-ecosystem using materials from your home and yard! Explore the plant world in your own backyard as a family with this at-home summer activity. Did you know...a terrarium is a closed or mostly-closed container with soil and plants in it. In this container, a mini-ecosystem is at work. In fact, a well-functioning terrarium [...]