What’s in Bloom
See our Garden change, evolve and mature month by month, season by season, year by year. Click each month for a gallery of images that capture the Garden’s best and most interesting during that time.
August 2021
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Anemone x hybrida 'September Charm' peaks out throughout the Koehn Garden and hillside garden.
Stapelia gigantea 'Zulu giant' blooms and releases a pungent odor in the Gardeners Show House
Sunlight shines through the conservatory and through a Cordyline fruticose ‘Ti plant’ leaf.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis or 'snow queen hibiscus' blooms brightens the corner of the conservatory near the waterfall.
The Crinum asiasticum or 'giant crinum lily' blooms throughout the month in the conservatory.
An Echinopsis sp., which generally blooms for about one day, is planted in the desert garden.
An Epargyreus clarus 'Silver-spotted skipper' drinks nectar from a Liatris Aspera or 'Rough Gayfeather'
Two flowers bloom throughout the day on a Gymnocalycium baldianum or 'spider cactus.'
The Wells Fargo Rose Garden burst with colorful blooms.
July 2021
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Plumeria sp. ‘Frangipani’ bloom in the sunlight in the conservatory.
Delicate Nymphaea ‘Surfrider’ in the pond near the conservatory's look-out.
Grammatophyllum Broga Tiger g. near the conservatory lookout.
Crinum Moorei ‘Natal Lily’ bloomed for one day in the conservatory.
A brief sighting of Nolumbo nucifera sp. in the water garden.
A Brugmansia Sp. 'Angel’s Trumpet' on a walk through the Koehn Garden.
Silphium Perfoliatum 'Cup Plant' basks in the sun in the parking lot garden
The espalier wall in the Koehn Garden with colorful plants and flowers.
Lycoris squamigera 'Surprise Lily' shimmers in the sunlight in the Ruan Allée.
June 2021
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A colorful view of the conservatory.
Coneflowers of all colors bloom in the Dorothy and Max Rutledge Conifer Garden.
A vibrant prickly-pear cactus blooms in its gravel bed.
The waterfall and geodesic dome from the Koehn Garden.
Allium 'Forelock' blooming in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden.
A pop of color in the understory of the conservatory.
Spigelia marilandica (woodland pinkroot) blooming in the shade of the hillside garden.
Hypericum sp. also known as St. John’s wort is a favorite of bumble bees.
Nymphaeaceae, commonly called water lilies are in full bloom in the water garden.
May 2021
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Allium stand tall north of the Koehn Garden.
Geum wet kiss shining in the evening sunlight of the Dorothy and Max Rutledge Conifer Garden.
Adenium obesum (desert rose) in full bloom in the conservatory's Cactus Garden.
The Wells Fargo Rose Garden in full bloom.
A prolific bloomer, clematis fills in negative space in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden.
Chives dot the borders of Koehn Garden beds and help protect the gardens from pests.
The newly replanted Prairie Meadows Living Wall.
The Dorothy and Max Rutledge Conifer Garden.
Euphorbia milii also known as crown of thorns plant in the conservatory's desert garden.
April 2021
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The majestic Bismarckia nobilis (Bismark palm) basks in the sunlight of the conservatory.
Tiny Tillandsia are displayed creatively on a recycled bicycle wheel in the Gardeners Show House.
The 2021 EMC Insurance Companies Entry Garden spring tulip display.
Amelanchier or serviceberry in bloom in the Koehn Garden
A sea of daffodils welcomes guests into the Ruan Allee.
Vibrant shrubs spot the landscape around the Koehn Garden celebration lawn.
The warm colors pop in the Principal Belvedere tulip beds.
Hardy hellebores in the hillside garden.
Cool blooms in the Koehn Garden tulip beds.
March 2021
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Lush tropical plants around the conservatory pond.
Heliconia sp. blooming in the conservatory.
Alpinia zerumbet, also know as shell ginger blooming in the conservatory.
Orchid in the Gardeners Show House.
The colorful Neorgilla Tango Mango collecting water in the Gardeners Show House.
Amazing amaryllis blooming in the Gardeners Show House.
Galanthus or snowdrops blooming in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden, marking the beginning of spring.
Colorful hellebores blooming in the hillside garden.
Tiny Crocus vernus emerging from a bed of fallen leaves in the Dorothy and Max Rutledge Conifer Garden.
February 2021
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Codiaeum variegatum ‘Gold Dust’ on a walk in the conservatory.
Large Dieffenbachia sp. leaf rising above the rest.
Precious and petite Medinilla magnifica blooms look waxy in the sunlight.
A rest under the Monstera deliciosa leaves.
Coordination and contrast in the conservatory with Pseuderanthemum rubrum (purple) and Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (yellow-green)
Shiney new Schefflera actinophylla leaves reflect the morning light.
Rich purple bloom of the Thunbergia erecta.
A study in life and death with the Alocasia odora.
Bright orange blooms of the Asclepias curassavica ‘Silky Gold’ bring cheer to their surroundings.
January 2021
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Draping greenery frames this inviting space in the Gardeners Show House,
Looking up toward the conservatory balcony offers a different view of the planting bed.
A collection of air plants and succulents thrive in a container in the desert garden.
A varied collection of plants soak in the sunlight in the Gardeners Show House.
One of many orchids in the Gardeners Show House -- Paphiopedilum (Bulldog Slippers).
The Botanical Garden's new humidity house.
An up-close look at Alpinia zerumbet (shell ginger) in flower.
Lush, inviting greenery glows in the morning light inside the conservatory.
Canna lilies come in and out of bloom at the top of the conservatory pool.
Gorgeous pink blooms stand out in the conservatory.
A collection of cacti and succulents in containers along the conservatory balcony.
Unique plants are at every turn inside the Gardeners Show House.
An orange hibiscus bloom shines in the conservatory.
Another look at the containers on the conservatory balcony.
A unique Hoya blooms from the timbers in the Gardeners Show House.
December 2020
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Sunlight streams through the palms and desert garden plants on a winter day in the conservatory.
A cluster of amaryllis blooms unfurl in the Gardeners Show House.
Foliage in all shapes, sizes and colors line the pathways in the conservatory.
A collection of container plants -- including holiday amaryllis -- line the upper balcony in the conservatory.
Amidst cold Iowa weather, the conservatory remains a warm, green oasis all winter long.
Hanging tillandsia create a unique backdrop for amaryllis and assorted greenery.
A wide variety of orchids line the entry to the Gardeners Show House.
Gorgeous pink-peach flowers bloom from a succulent in the desert garden.
Pink blooms from Bougainvillea 'Raspberry Ice' tower high among the tropical greenery in the conservatory.
An inviting, peaceful place to enjoy the plants in the Gardeners Show House.
A cozy "fireplace" setup marks the holiday season among countless container plants.
A collection of cactus from the desert garden thrive in front of the conservatory's tropical backdrop.
The Gardeners Show House thrives in crisp reds, pinks and greens this month.
More inviting seating and a playful plant display are located in the back of the Gardeners Show House.
November 2020
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This playful collection of varied planters welcomes guests to the conservatory's balcony.
The dainty, speckled blooms from Brassocattleya Maikai g. ‘Mayumi’ can be found in the Gardeners Show House.
The conservatory pool shines amid vibrant aquatic plants.
One group of many amaryllis in the conservatory -- look for them in the ground as well as in planters throughout the Garden.
With plants at every height, the back of the Gardeners Show House is a welcoming space to sit and enjoy the greenery.
Cordyline fruticosa ‘Red Sister’ (Red Sister Ti plant) shines against the conservatory greenery.
Tall palms tower over the desert garden on a sunny day in the conservatory.
A Christmas cactus blooms in gorgeous, eye-catching pink shades inside the Gardeners Show House.
Layers of lush, vibrant greenery capture attention during a walk down the conservatory staircase.
Paphiopedilum St. Swithin (rothschildianum x phillippinense) stuns with vibrant striping atop tall stems.
Downturned blooms from Cubanola domingensis (tree lily) can be spotted along the conservatory path.
Unique containers abound in this creative display inside the Gardeners Show House.
Massive Monstera deliciosa leaves show just how large this now-common houseplant can get.
Amaryllis and a variety of other container plants are striking against the conservatory backdrop.
Guarianthe bowringiana (Bowring’s cattleya) blooms hover over mixed greenery in the Gardeners Show House.
Fluffy yellow blooms from Schaueria flavicoma (golden plume) add playful color and texture to this conservatory planting.
Assorted container plants provide a colorful entrance to the Gardeners Show House.
It's hard to miss this spectacular Aechmea 'Blue Tango' in the conservatory.
October 2020
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Vibrant container planting on the Principal Belvedere. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Containers featuring the draping stolons of Stenotaphrum secundatum ‘Variegatum’ (variegated St. Augustine’s grass) on the Principal Belvedere. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Light filters through Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) leaves in the Rutledge Conifer Garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The espalier wall erupted into crisp, hot colors in October. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Koehn Garden shows off varied shapes and textures in October. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Seedheads hover in Eragrostis trichodes (sand lovegrass) in the Rutledge Conifer Garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Crisp whites and vibrant reds dominate this end of the Koehn Garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.