Visitor’s Guide
Welcome Visitors!
A Guide for Your Botanical Garden Visit
Open yourself to new discoveries and wander down the winding paths at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Explore Something New
From colorful unknowns to hidden delights under the dome, you’ll be surprised by what you’ll find in the Botanical Garden’s always friendly climate. No matter the season, we have something new for to find.
Gardens and Delights
Whether you want to explore our gardens, or take in the art on exhibit in the Evergreen Gallery, we have a wide variety to see. Spend time in the Conservatory, or hop with a purpose in our Garden Shop to bringa little nature with you. Everything you need to know before you go is right here.
Find Your True Nature™ at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
The Gardens
Evergreen Gallery Exhibition
Botanically inspired artwork by local artists, changing quarterly.
Secret Gardens
Oil Paintings by Bob Kling
Nov 3 – Jan 3
Artist Bio
Bob Kling has been exhibiting his paintings, pottery, drawings, sculptures and photographs throughout the United States and his work may be found in many public and private collections. From his studio in Indianola, Iowa, Kling creates art in a variety of media with a range of subjects that reflects his varied interests in life. Whether exploring the subject of reflections, the produce of the local grocery store, his love of hot-air ballooning, travels throughout Europe, or travels in his garden, Kling paints people, places and things with an eye to make the ordinary extraordinary!
Originally from Shenandoah, Iowa, Kling has an M.A. in painting and a B.A. in art education from the University of Northern Iowa. He has been an educator for 50 years, first as an art teacher at Mormon Trail Community Schools in Humeston, Iowa for 12 years. He was the head of the art department at Indianola High School for 21 years and has been an adjunct professor at Simpson College for the last 18 years and college supervisor for student teaching at Simpson and Graceland University. Kling was also selected as Walmart Teacher of the Year, Indianola Community Schools Teacher of the Year and one of five finalists for Iowa Teacher of the Year.
Many of Kling’s paintings have been published in several books and magazines. Kling is also a writer and photographer and was a newspaper columnist for 29 years. He served on the Indianola City Council; past president of the Indianola Public Arts Commission, vice president of the North River Arts Council, was the announcer for years at the National Balloon Classic Nite Glow; the emcee for Bike Down to I-Town; announcer for high school band halftime for fifty years and was the announcer and king of the Iowa Wine Festival for two years.
About the Art
In 2023 he started painting Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France. He had visited there in 2018 and 2021 and most of his paintings from that period were of boats in the waters South of France. After thoroughly exploring his garden photos, he decided to work from photos from
Giverny. He’s continued to work in and from his gardens. He’s also enjoying hiding all sorts of bugs, caterpillars, bees and flies in many of the garden paintings. The large “Hidden Secrets,” painting also has fireflies than can only be seen when you turn out the lights. Throughout this series he has tried to capture the natural beauty of the subject; the patterns created by nature; the vividness of their color; the different light of different locations and enjoyed the freedom to play with how the paint is applied.
Visit Bob’s studio
905 N. Buxton St., Indianola, IA or browse through Kling’s website at https://www.bobklingart.com.
All items are for sale.
Shopping
Don’t miss The Garden Shop at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden when you visit.
You’ll find one-of-a-kind items for those hard-to-buy-for garden enthusiasts or nature lover in your life. The store emphasizes handmade local goods including books, stationery, houseplants, seeds, children’s toys, and unique home decor. As such, the Garden Shop is stocked with an ever-changing selection of items perfect for every season and every individual.
Dining
Flora is open 11 am to 2 pm Tuesday through Saturday. 10 am to 2pm with Brunch on Sunday.
Also in the evenings for many of our signature events. Please go to dmbotanicalgarden.com/dine for more details.
More to Do
Enjoy the Botanical Garden and all that the Greater Des Moines area offers. Scan or click below!
Botanical Garden Do’s and Don’ts
To make your visit more enjoyable, and protect the Botanical Garden’s beautiful landscape, we ask:
Please DO stay on the paths unless otherwise designated. DON’T play, climb on, or attach anything to water features, sculptures, plants, or trees.
Yes, DO take pictures! Monopods are permitted. DON’T use tripods, lighting, and props (see our photography policy here for details).
Always DO smell and gently touch the plants, but please DON’T remove leaves, fruit, seeds or flowers from any plants in the garden.
DO you want to dine with us? Refreshments are available at Flora Cafe and in the Garden Shop. Rental clients may use our approved caterers for food and beverages. DON’T bring in outside food.
Your children DO want to enjoy our Nature Play area. DON’T play active sports and games except those provided by the Botanical Garden.
Also, DO remember the Botanical Garden, including our parking lot, is a tobacco-free zone. DON’T smoke, vape or use any type of nicotine product at our facility.
Lastly, DO bring your service animal, but please DON’T bring your pet. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden does not allow pets on the Garden grounds. Service animals are permitted in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These service animals are defined by the ADA as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Dogs that are service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Those dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Please Support Your Botanical Garden
Become a Member
Donate Today
Directions
Eastbound on I-235
- Take Exit 8B for East 6th Street exit
- Turn right on East 6th Street
- Next, turn right on Des Moines Street
- Continue straight on Des Moines Street to the “T” intersection at Robert D. Ray Drive
- Then turn right on Robert D. Ray Drive
- Continue straight, the road ends in the Botanical Garden parking lot
Westbound on I-235
- Take Exit 8B for East 6th Street exit
- Turn left on East 6th Street
- Next, turn right on Des Moines Street
- Continue straight on Des Moines Street to the “T” intersection at Robert D. Ray Drive
- Then turn right on Robert D. Ray Drive
- Continue straight, the road ends in the Botanical Garden parking lot.
Eastbound from downtown
- Take the Grand Avenue bridge over the river
- Turn left on Robert D. Ray Drive
- Continue straight, the road ends in the Botanical Garden parking lot
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