Reputed for its huge collection of the Midwest's ornamental and native plants, this 14-acre center bordering the Des Moines River features a domed conservatory that houses over 1000 varieties of exotic plants from throughout the world. The center also has an impressive herb garden, tropical and desert plants, and one of the best bonsai collections in the U.S.See more..
4.5Reiman Gardens(361 reviews) - Our second best garden visit on our trip Gardens
Enchanting, 17-acre garden with new display annually; inside find a live, exotic butterfly exhibit and gardens that change seasonally; private rentals available.See more..
We quite enjoyed this beautiful arboretum and gardens. We walked through the gardens (about 10 acres) and spent some time in the visitor's center in addition to driving through the arboretum (about 50 acres). Everything is beautiful and well card for by the volunteers. There is no charge to enjoy this wonderful place but we did leave a donation and purchased a couple of things at the visitor's center. A free map is available at the visitor's center, as well as clean free rest rooms.See more..
4.0Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens(66 reviews) - Peaceful oasis in the city Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues • Gardens
Right next to the river, these gardens are well designed and tranquil. Near the Botanical Center, it's certainly worth stopping as it is along the only road to the center. Des Moines is fortunate to have such gardens.See more..
Come and enjoy this expertly designed space that brings stunning architectural features, terraces, water features, and 22 themed gardens together for an unforgettable experience. Attend an event, stroll through the gardens, or sit and enjoy lunch with friends. This special place is waiting for you! Free and open to the public May 1 through October 31 from dawn to dusk.See more..
Right in the heart of the city is a half-block long blaze of beauty - Better Homes and Gardens' testing ground for various landscape designs that the company documents and photographs. The area is one large area made of many mini-backyards, complete with annuals, perennials, bulbs and typical backyard structures like fences and gates.See more..
The Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens is a stunning 40 acre oasis of beauty and inspiration, nestled on the outskirts of Waterloo, Iowa. Our story began in 1996 by a dedicated group of volunteers and since then, we have flourished into a stunning display of flowers and trees, both native and exotic. The CVABG boasts many beautiful gardens, including the Hillside Welcome Garden, Rose Garden, perennial display garden, Shade Garden, and an award-winning Children's Garden. In 2014, the CVABG was the first garden in Iowa to attempt a mosaiculture, which are living sculptures. We also have a 4-acre Butterfly Conservation Meadow and a 1-acre demonstration orchard called the Master Gardeners Orchard among many other beautiful gardens. Come on out to discover the beauty and serenity!See more..
4.5Iowa Arboretum(29 reviews) - Stop to smell the roses and see the beauty of Iowa! Friday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Gardens
A visit to the Iowa Arboretum's 378-acre facility in scenic Boone County is an experience you won't want to miss. This site offers 40 acres developed as a 'Library of Living Plants' showcasing hundreds of species of trees, shrubs and flowers in a tranquil scenic setting. The Iowa Arboretum displays a large and diverse display of plants that can be successfully grown in Iowa. Grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset year round.See more..
Bloom and Bark LLC consists of owners Kim (the boss) and self-taught glass blower Tim Blair. Primarily, we blow glass, we sell glass and we love glass. Creating beautiful art from fire, gravity, and air is something that is inspiring to many, yet it is an ancient skill that few practice today. Tim creates in a complete Hot Shop working in his new Open Air Studio during the summer months. The glass blowing hot shop is located adjacent to the Local Artisan Market, housing an eclectic display of not only his work, but the work of various artist and their mediums all located within a 100 mile radius of Van Buren County. Bloom and Bark offers a unique option for anyone looking for a gift, a splash of color in their decor or an experience that will last a lifetime. Come join us on the farm!See more..
Excellent tourist stop, yard art is really impressive. We bought a dragon fly and very pleased with it when we put it in our yard.See more..
5.0Brenton Arboretum(11 reviews) - Beautiful space for peaceful enjoyment of nature. Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Gardens
Great way to get outside and enjoy some beautiful vistas out in nature. There is a paved walking path for those who might have trouble on uneven ground. Would highly recommend their world renowned Kentucky coffeetree collection.See more..
Even though it was early spring and only some very brave tulip leaves were minimally poking through the ground, the gardens were quite pretty and enjoyable. It is free and open from sunrise to sunset. Nice benches to sit and just enjoy the scenery.See more..
Lots of blooms during the growing season. Outdoor musical instruments to play. Water feature to enjoy during growing season. Building available for small groups for special occasions. Tourist information throughout the year. Public restrooms. Educational programs and special holiday events.See more..
Visited the Seed Savers Exchange for their Annual Tomato Tasting. A lovely experience- very well presented. The grounds are well laid out and there was a lot to see. The gift shop was excellent as well and everything was well priced.See more..
5.0State Center Rose Garden(2 reviews) - Beautiful Rose Garden Spent < 1 hour Gardens I was in State Center for RAGBRAI 2018. In town, there was a booth with two girls in sashes denoting them as winners of the Rose Festival. There is a wonderful mural in the center of town with painted roses and the title Rose Capital of Iowa. On the way out of town, we passed the rose garden itself. It was beautiful. The manicured lawn surrounds the paths and planter boxes full of roses. If you are in town, be sure to take the time to walk through this garden. Consider visiting in June to experience the Rose Festival.See more..
5.0Buxton Park(2 reviews) - Very serene Parks • Gardens
This park was very lovely. Lots of flowers in bloom and well taken care of. The butterflies were flying every where. We love the trees in the park. Some plants have name tags that made it even more enjoyable. See more..
