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 2019
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A view near the top of the conservatory with Bougainvillea 'Raspberry Ice' accenting the frame.
Hippeastrum 'Rapido' stuns viewers with its deep scarlet red bloom.
Monstera deliciosa (swiss cheese plant) casting shadows in the conservatory.
Allamanda schottii (bush allamanda) captures visitors' attention along the conservatory path.
The Hippeastrum 'Flamenco Queen' blooming with notable colors and markings in the conservatory.
Dichorisandra thyrsiflora (blue ginger) flowering vibrantly in the conservatory.
Hippeastrum 'Gervase' stands tall with a beautiful gradient of pinks in the Gardeners Showhouse.
Medinilla myriantha (malaysian orchid) adding a pop of pink to a group of greens.
Oncidium Twinkle 'Fantasy' provides delightful container plant inspiration in the Gardeners Showhouse.
Hippeastrum 'Denver' (Denver amaryllis) is a simple but classic bloom.
Paphiopedilum victoria-regina stuns viewers while blooming in the Gardeners Showhouse.
Portea 'Jungles' is striking in the Gardeners Showhouse.
Sanchezia speciosa (shrubby white vein) mesmerizes with its stark leaf outlines.
A pop of red in the conservatory from the Hippeastrum 'Samba' (Samba amaryllis).
Conservatory container featuring Bergenia 'Green Monster'.
A conservatory container montage featuring Cycas revoluta (sago palm), Neoregelia 'Tango Mango', Asystasia gangetica 'You're So Vein' and Plectranthus sp. (coleus).
Hippeastrum 'Naranja' adds a punch of orange among green fronds.
Aechmea 'Blue Tango' commands attention with bright pinks and purples near the conservatory entrance.
A curated container montage on the conservatory balcony featuring Mangave and 'Baby Star' amaryllis.
Hippeastrum 'Samba' (Samba amaryllis) in full bloom inside the conservatory.
A grouping of Pelargonium sp. (scented geranium), Schlumbergera sp. (christmas cactus) and Kalanchoe sp. in the Gardeners Showhouse.
December 2018
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Amaryllis everywhere! in the conservatory, Dec. 14. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Amaryllis everywhere! in the conservatory, Dec. 14 to the right of the entrance. Photo by Kelly Norris
Begonia 'Canary Wings' (Canary Wings begonia) in the Gardeners Show House. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Colorful foliage and amaryllis abound in the conservatory throughout the holiday season. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Hippeastrum 'Amadeus' (Amadeus amaryllis) in the conservatory, December 14. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Hippeastrum 'Amalfi' (Amalfi amaryllis) in the conservatory, December 14. Photo by Kelly Norris
Hippeastrum 'Charisma' (Charisma amaryllis) in the conservatory, December 14. Photo by Kelly Norris
Hippeastrum 'Denver' (Denver amaryllis) in the conservatory, December 14. Photo by Kelly Norris
Hippeastrum 'Flamenco Queen' (Flamenco Queen amaryllis) in the conservatory, December 14. Photo by Kelly Norris
Hippeastrum 'Hercules' (Hercules amaryllis) in the conservatory, December 14. Photo by Kelly Norris
Hippeastrum 'Magic Green' (Magic Green amaryllis) in the conservatory on December 14. Photo by Kelly Norris
Hippeastrum 'Magic Green' (Magic Green amaryllis) inside the entrance to the conservatory on December 14. Photo by Kelly Norris
Hippeastrum 'Mandela' (Mandela amaryllis) in the conservatory, November 24. Photo by Kelly Norris
Hippeastrum 'Pink Surprise' (Pink Surprise amaryllis) in the Gardeners Show House. Photo by Kelly Norris
Hippeastrum 'Red Sovereign' (Red Sovereign amaryllis) showing off the in the conservatory. Photo by Kelly Norris.
Look for eclectic, tropical container gardens throughout the conservatory featuring amaryllis (Hippeastrum) and other season holiday favorites. Photo by Kelly Norris
Neoreglia 'Cookie' (Cookie bromeliad). Photo by Kelly Norris.
The Gardeners Show House shines during the holiday season. Photo by Kelly Norris.
November 2018
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A mass of Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink' blooms late in the season in the Koehn Perennial border. Photo by Leslie Hunter 11.2.18.
Close up of Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink' in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter 11.2.18.
Diervilla x 'Kodiak Orange' bush honeysuckle lights up the fall landscape in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter 11.2.18.
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slipper' oakleaf hydrangea glows under the golden leaves of the maples along the Ruan Allee. Photo by Leslie Hunter.
Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet' and Chrysanthemum 'Sheffield Pink' make a nice pair in the Koehn Garden. Photo by Leslie Hunter on 11.2.18.
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