Walk Through Spring Flowers in the Des Moines Metro
April showers, bring May flowers! Some may be blooming before May depending on the crazy Midwest weather. There are many great places to take a walk, hike, and explore in Des Moines, Iowa, with beautiful flowers. Look at this fun list we gathered to see spring flowers in the Des Moines metro area.
Bookmark these other fun flower guides:
- U-Pick Flowers – Flower Farms in the Des Moines Area
- Garden Centers in Des Moines
- Farmers’ Markets in Des Moines
- Des Moines Plant Stores
Arie Den Boer Arboretum
2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321
The Arie Den Boer Arboretum is located in Des Moines Water Works Park and is one of the world’s largest collections of flowering crabapple trees. It is a beautiful sight to see when they are in full bloom! During this time you will find many families wandering the area and many photographers capturing the moment. The area is home to approximately 800 trees. The trees typically bloom the last week of April through the first week of May.
Water Works Park is one of our favorite places to play and explore. Learn about all the fun!
Buxton Park
705 N Buxton St, Indianola, IA 50125
Buxton Park located in Indianola, Iowa offers an interpretive self-guided tree tour. When the trees and rose gardens are in full bloom, grab the family and learn about 25 trees identified in the area and take in the beauty.
Clare & Miles Mills Rose Garden
4800 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
The Clare & Miles Mills Rose Garden is located within Greenwood Park in the heart of Des Moines. It is a formal garden, with a sculpture and manicured flower beds. Many rent this area for weddings or other formal events, but it is open to the public to walk through. It is an All-American Rose Selection Public Display Garden, one of 132 such gardens in the United States. The rose garden is located just behind the Des Moines Art Center. Make sure you stop at the Des Moines Art Center which is free for all and a fun experience for all ages.
Demonstration Garden
3353-3399 92nd St, Urbandale, IA 50322
The Demonstration Garden is located in Urbandale, Iowa, and is the oldest of the Polk County Master Gardener projects. There are many mature fruit trees, shrubs, and more. In early spring you can take in when the trees and other plants begin to flower.
Enabling Garden
1050 1st Avenue South in Altoona, 50009
The Enabling Garden located in Altoona is another Polk County Master Gardener project. This is such a fun place to play for littles! This interactive children’s garden provides hours of outdoor play and the many trees and plants bloom throughout the Spring and Summer seasons.
Ewing Park Lilac Arboretum
5300 Indianola Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315
The Ewing Park Lilac Arboretum is a magical place when it is in full bloom and it only happens a couple of weeks a year! During the early spring, you will want to keep your eyes and ears open for when it starts blossoming and take a stroll through the hundreds of lilac trees in the park.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309
You do not need to wait for spring and summer to view flowers and greenery at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. This is a great place to walk through and explore when you may be going stir crazy during the cold, Iowa winters. It is also a gorgeous venue to explore during spring and summer when the outside gardens are in peak season. They also offer a fun, natural play area where kids can play!
Iowa Arboretum & Gardens
1875 Peach Ave, Madrid, IA 50156
The Iowa Arboretum & Gardens is home to many trees and plants that bloom throughout the spring and summer months. Visitors will enjoy beautiful gardens, open-planted tree areas, and native woodland & prairie trails. NEW in 2024 is a Treehouse for all abilities! Keep your eyes open on their website for up-to-date details on a grand opening date.
Pella Tulip Festival
Pella, Iowa
Am Iowa tradition not far from the Des Moines metro. Pella Tulip Time celebrates the time of year when thousands of tulips bloom throughout Pella, Iowa. Tulip Time is a 3-day celebration in early May, but you can visit any time beginning in early spring to view all the colorful tulips in the small town.
Reiman Gardens
1407 University Blvd. Ames, IA 50011
Reiman Gardens is in full bloom in April! They will have 50,000+ tulips on display in April during their Spring Enchantment from April 1 – April 30. Keep an eye on their social media channels for word on when the tulips are at their peak. They will be offering extended hours to wander through the 17-acre gardens and take in all the beauty. In addition, families can partake in a scavenger hunt for 26 themed fairy doors and creature homes.
Thomas Mitchell Park
4590 NE 108th St, Mitchellville, IA 50169
Join Polk County Conservation at Thomas Mitchell Park for a wildflower hike this spring. This area is home to many Iowa native flowers. During this event, you will take a stroll with a naturalist to learn more about the many flowers and other plants in the area.
Date: April 27 from 1 to 2:30 pm. Register here.
Wilson’s Farm
3201 15th Ave., Cumming, IA, United States, Iowa
New to the Des Moines area! Wilson’s Farm is opening this Spring just outside of Des Moines in Cumming, Iowa. They are planning to have tons of offerings including tulips. Join Wilson’s Farm for their Tulip Festival that runs April 17 through 30. Take a look at all the details.
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates Gardens
100 Locust Street in Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Located just west of the Des Moines River and a part of the Principal Riverwalk in downtown Des Moines is the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. Visit in the Spring and take in all the beauty of The Gardens. The area is open to the public and encouraged to sit and enjoy the beauty of all the flowers.
