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.
January 2021
Click to Enlarge
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
Click to Enlarge
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
Click to Enlarge
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
Click to Enlarge
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.
Chrysanthemum ‘Sheffield’s Pink’ presents countless blooms in the October Koehn Garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
An artful, wild planting in the Rutledge Conifer Garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Another look at the planting layers -- and artwork -- in the Rutledge Conifer Garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Bold red dahlias demand attention in the October garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Senna lindheimeriana (Lindheimer’s velvet-leaf senna) glows in the sunlight on the Principal Belvedere. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Solidago shortii ‘Solar Cascade’ (Solar Cascade Short’s goldenrod) and Silphium terebinthinaceum (prairie dock) combine beautifully in the parking lot garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
A stunning purple salvia blooms in the middle of October. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Solidago speciosa (showy goldenrod) and Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ (Northwind switchgrass) combine for a hazy planting. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Dahlia ‘Smiling Don’ along the annual border. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Symphyotrichum laeve ‘Bluebird’ (Bluebird smooth aster) reflects the stunning afternoon light. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Dahlias, salvias and much more combine for a dynamic, colorful and eye-catching annual display. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Tropical textures add interest on the Principal Belvedere. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Wells Fargo Rose Garden keep stunning blooms and colors well into October. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Another Salvia, Salvia leucantha, leans beautifully along the espalier wall. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Amsonia hubrichtii (threadleaf bluestar) offers a hazy view in the parking lot garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
A pastel vignette in the mid-October Wells Fargo Rose Garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Celosia spicata ‘Flamingo Feather’ (Flamingo Feather spike celosia) and Salvia leucantha (Mexican bush sage) boast incredibly vibrant hues in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Another look at the stunning tropical textures on the Principal Belvedere. Photo by Kelly Norris.
September 2020
Click to Enlarge
August 2020
Click to Enlarge
Argemone albiflora (Bluestem pricklypoppy) glows in the EMC Insurance Companies Entry Garden.
The annual border in the Koehn Garden filled in with plenty of pink and purple dahlias along the espalier wall.
Layered, colorful plantings come into focus this month in the Koehn Garden.
A butterfly visits the ever-popular Phlox 'Jeana' in the Koehn Garden.
A lush, inviting entrance to explore the hillside garden from its winding path.
Hibiscus 'Perfect Storm' (Rose Mallow) shows off a massive bloom accented by textured greenery in the Koehn Garden.
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Ginger Love' sways in the breeze along the Koehn Garden's walking path.
Morning light filers beautifully through the lilies in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden.
Soft morning light makes for a sunning and welcoming view of the Koehn Garden's waterfall.
The towering, billowing perennial border in the Koehn Garden shines in late August.
Dahlia 'Vassio Meggos' stands tall along the Koehn Garden's annual border.
Another look at the dynamic, complex plantings along the Koehn Garden's espalier wall.
Grand lotus blooms continued to evolve in the water garden throughout August.
July 2020
Click to Enlarge
June 2020
Click to Enlarge
A vibrant June vignette in the Rutledge Conifer Garden.
Layered plantings continue to come to life in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden this month.
Lavandula x intermedia 'Phenomenal' adds a pop of purple to the EMC Insurance Companies Entry Garden.
Allium seedheads stand tall among the greenery in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden.
Peonies continued blooming into June along the Koehn Garden path.
Water lilies and lotuses begin to bloom against the backdrop of the Koehn Garden and Ruan Allée.
Look for creative container plantings at the entrance to the Ruan Allée this summer.
Another look at the Rutledge Conifer Garden's allium and coneflower blooms.
May 2020