Safe Spring Cleanup
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 the Small Carpenter Bee, are [...]
4 “Emblems” of Spring
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 grandma’s farm. Along those routes [...]
Trellis Café and Racoon Forks Farms
More than Fresh Produce Trellis Café's Lisa LaValle insists on local, organic ingredients whenever possible. That’s why she purchases farm-fresh brown eggs from Raccoon Forks Farms near Redfield, Iowa. Raccoon Forks Farms started raising pastured, cage-free chickens and growing chemical-free produce for community-supported agriculture (CSA) in 2009. In the decade since, environmentally friendly practices have remained at the [...]
Botanical Garden Profile: Garden Hosts
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 music lover or share educational [...]
A Colorful, Plant-Filled Oasis in the Heart of Des Moines
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 and Hours Located right off [...]
7 Tips for Houseplant Propagation
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 where to begin or the [...]
Winter and Spring Pruning
What and When to Prune When the snow flies, many gardeners put away their tools and take a few months off from the garden. Some pruning, though, is a good idea to do before the ground thaws. Since fallen leaves leave the architecture of trees highly visible, late winter is a perfect time to prune your trees. Use [...]
Our 6 Favorite Aroids
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 be a gateway to gardening. [...]
Our Amaryllis Picks
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 a few of our favorite [...]
2019 Holiday Gift Guide
7 Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List Stop by our East Village shop to discover gift-worthy handmade goods this holiday season. Plus, we've created this gift guide to inspire unique ideas for that hard-to-buy-for friend, hostess, or gardening enthusiast. 1. The Bookworm For those who prefer to stay in with a good book, [...]
Botanical Garden Profile: Aaron Harpold
Aaron Harpold, assistant director of horticulture While Aaron worked as an actor based in major U.S. cities, public gardens were his favorite retreats. Between traveling and work, Aaron always found time to pursue horticulture as a passion and hobby, often helping friends in their lawns and gardens on nights and weekends. After ten years of traveling from stage [...]
Ecological Education
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 started wondering if our guests [...]
