What’s in Bloom
See what’s currently flowering in our Zone 5b Gardens as well as our tropical geodesic conservatory. Here, you’ll find pictures of flowers from across the Garden so you can learn more about what plants bloom when and what you can expect to see on your next visit. Browse our selection of ever-changing blooms below, and visit our Explore the Gardens page for more information about specific Garden spaces.
October 2018
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Rich orange of Dahlia 'Maarn' lights up the Koehn Garden perennial border in October. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Oct. 11, 2018.
Anemone 'Honorine Jobert' is striking against a blue October sky in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Oct. 11, 2018
Clemtis tangutica seed heads look like silky puffballs in the rose garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter, October 26, 2018
Clemtis tibetana blooms in the rose garden with their orange peel like flowers. Photo by Leslie Hunter, October 26, 2018.
Come see the new plants and design to the Prairie Meadows Living Wall. Photo by Hannah Loy Oct. 4, 2018.
Dahlia 'Cancun' glows yellow along the esplaier wall in the Koehn garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Oct. 11, 2018.
Espalier Wall on a foggy morning. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Oct. 1, 2018.
Frost on the garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter, October24, 2018
Frost in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Oct. 24, 2018.
Prairie Meadows Living Wall has a new plant display. Photo by Leslie Hunter Oct. 15, 2018.
The Living Wall plants were all changed out on Oct. 2 with a fresh new design. Photo by Hannah Loy.
Sunrise behind the conservatory dome makes a beautiful early morning entrance. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Oct. 17, 2018.
Gourds on the espalier wall. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Oct. 11, 2018.
September 2018
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Clematis tangutica or golden clematis climbs the structures in the Rose Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Late season colors glowing in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden on September 16. Photo by Kelly Norris
Melinis Savannah, also called Ruby Grass, blooms along the paths in the Rose Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Monarch butterflies have flocked to Agastache 'Velvet Crush' (Velvet Crush hyssop) this fall as they migrate south. Photo taken September 16 by Kelly Norris.
Nicotiana mutabilis (Brazilian tobacco) flowers through frost in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden. Photo by Kelly Norris
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Ginger Love' (Ginger Love fountaingrass) anchors the plantings in the Wells Fargo Rose Gardens with its soft textures and warm color. Photo by Kelly Norris
Reblooming Buck hybrid roses can look just as good in autumn as they do early summer. Photo taken on September 16 in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden by Kelly Norris.
Reblooming Buck hybrid roses can look just as good in autumn as they do early summer. Photo taken on September 16 in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden by Kelly Norris
Salvia 'Ember's Wish' along the espalier wall in the Koehn Garden has bloomed all summer into fall. Photo by Leslie Hunter taken Sept. 20.
Sorghastrum nutans 'Skywalker' (Skywalker indiangrass) in flower on Sept. 19 in the Lauridsen Savanna. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Stachytarpheta 'Lavender' or Porterweed attracts pollinators in the Rose Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter taken on Sept. 20.
The Koehn Garden on September 16. Photo by Kelly Norris
The Rutledge Conifer Garden on September 16. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The seedheads of Iris dichotoma (vesper iris) hover above sedums and Russian sage in the Koehn Garden on September 16. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The view towards downtown Des Moines across the water garden. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Wells Fargo Rose Garden on September 16. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Wells Fargo Rose Garden on September 16. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Wells Fargo Rose Garden on September 16. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Vitex agnus-castus 'PIIVAC' (Delta Blues chastetree) flowering in the Koehn Garden on September 16. Photo by Kelly Norris.
August 2018
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A classic high summer vignette in the northeast corner of the Koehn Garden on Aug. 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Agave tequilana 'Sunrise' (Sunrise tequila agave) in the Principal Belvedere, Aug. 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Basella rubra (Red Malabar Spinach) climbs up the espalier wall. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Aug. 23.
Capsicum annuum 'Sangria' (Ornamental Pepper) adds hot red and vibrant purple to the annual border in the Koehn garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Aug. 23.
Clematis 'Stand By Me' rambles over perennial neighbors in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Aug. 23.
Dahlia 'Cancun' is brightening up the espalier wall this fall. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Aug. 23.
Dahlia 'Gingeroo' glows in the afternoon sun in the Koehn Garden's perennial border. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Aug. 23.
Edible and pretty, Malabar Spinach climbs up the espalier wall in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter on Aug. 23.
Eutrochium maculatum 'Glenda' (Glenda joe pye weed) stars in the northeast corner of the Koehn Garden on Aug. 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Gomphocarpus physocarpus (balloon plant) in the Koehn Garden on August 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Gomphrena 'Forest Pink' (Forest Pink globe amaranth) flowering in the Koehn Garden espalier border, Aug. 21.
Heuchera villosa 'Autumn Bride' (Autumn Bride coral bells) in the Lauridsen Savanna on Aug. 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Hot pink and coral light up the espalier wall with Ember's Wish Salvia. Photo taken by Leslie Hunter on Aug. 23.
Rose 'Distant Drums' glows peach and mauve in the rose garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter on Aug. 25.
Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush' (American Gold Rush black-eyed Susan) in the parking lot garden on Aug. 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Salvia 'Amistad' (Friendship Sage) blooms among other annuals along the espalier wall. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Aug. 23.
Salvia oxyphora (Fuzzy Bolivian Sage), an annual salvia, blooms in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Aug. 23.
Sanguisorba tenuifolia 'Purpurea' in full flower in the Lauridsen Savanna on Aug. 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Silphium terebinthinaceum (prairie dock) rockets out of wild plantings in the parking lot on Aug. 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The espalier wall in the Koehn Garden, Aug.28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The espalier wall annual planting in August. Photo by Leslie Hunter, Aug. 25.
The Koehn Garden on August 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Koehn Garden on August 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Lauridsen Savanna on Aug. 21. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Verbena bonariensis (purpletop verbena) in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden on Aug. 28. Photo by Kelly Norris.
July 2018
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Allium 'Summer Beauty' Ornamental Onion, Koehn Garden, Leslie Hunter, July 26.
Allium 'Summer Beauty' Ornamental Onion, Koehn Garden, Leslie Hunter, July 26
Capsicum annum 'Sangria' Ornamental Pepper on the Koehn Garden espalier wall. Photo by Leslie Hunter, July 26.
Chamaecrista fasciculata (partridge pea) flowers in the hillside garden.
Datura 'Ballerina Purple' on the Koehn Garden espalier wall. Photo by Leslie Hunter, July 26.
Echinacea 'Leilani' (Leilani coneflower) flowers for weeks in the northeast corner of the Koehn Garden. Photo taken July 19 by Kelly Norris.
Echinacea 'Leilani'(Leilani coneflower) is surrounded by yarrows and speedwells in the northeast corner of the Koehn Garden. Photo taken July 19 by Kelly Norris.
Entrance bowls in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
The espalier wall in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Gomphrena 'Forest Pink' (Forest Pink globe amaranth) repeats throughout the espalier wall planting in the Koehn Garden. Photo taken July 19 by Kelly Norris.
Hemerocallis 'Barb's Beauty' Daylily in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter on July 26.
Hemerocallis 'Lori's Blonde Curls' Daylily in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Hemerocallis 'Sister of Mine' Daylily in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Hemerocallis 'Sweet Jane' Daylily in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Hemerocallis thunbergii (Thunberg's daylily) towers over the Koehn Garden in bright yellow tones. Photo taken July 19 by Kelly Norris.
Lily 'Levern Friemann' Orienpet Lily in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Lily 'Levern Friemann' Orienpet Lily in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Macleaya cordata (plume poppy) rockets to soaring heights in the Koehn Garden in July and August. Photo taken July 19 by Kelly Norris.
Oscimum basilicum 'Purple Ruffles' purple basil on the espalier wall in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Pennisetum ';Copper Prince' Ornamental Millet on the espalier wall in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Pennisetum 'Copper Prince' Ornamental Millet on the espalier wall in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks' at the front entrance. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
The Wells Fargo Rose Garden shines in the July sun. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Salvia 'Amistad' Friendship Sage on the espalier wall in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Salvia 'Love and Wishes' Hybrid Sage on the espalier wall in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Silphium perfoliatum (cup plant) in the Parking Lot Garden. Photo taken by Leslie Hunter.
The Koehn Garden on July 12. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Verbena rigida 'Santos' Rough Verbena on the espalier wall. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Verbena rigida 'Santos' Rough Verbena on the espalier wall in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Weigela 'Wine and Roses' and Nicotiana 'Lime' in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Zinnia 'Purple Prince' in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
June 2018
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Allium (ornamental onion) feature prominently in the Wells Fargo Rose Garden throughout June. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Clematis pitcheri (Pitcher's clematis) in the Lauridsen Savanna, June 7. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Lonicera reticulata Kintzley's Ghost (Kintzley's ghost honeysuckle) blooming in the Koehn Garden on June 7. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Opuntia humifusa (eastern prickly pear) flowering in the Rutledge Conifer Garden, June 7. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Looking across the water garden to the Lauridsen Savanna and downtown Des Moines skyline. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Nicotiana glauca (tree tobacco) in full flower in the conservatory, June 7. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Prunella vulgaris 'Under the Sea' (Under the Sea selfheal) in the Lauridsen Savanna, June 7. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Ratibida columnifera (Mexican hat flower) blooming in the Rutledge Conifer Garden, June 7. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Koehn Garden is alive in early summer with rich textures. Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Wells Faro Rose Garden on June 7. Photo by Kelly Norris.
