The iconic dome features a triodetic structure that provides a column-free interior space.
The conservatory houses more than 1,200 species of exotic and tropical plants.
The garden is located on the site of a former landfill, part of an urban renewal project.
The facility includes a specialized collection of tropical orchids that bloom on a rotating schedule.
The outdoor grounds incorporate a 'Hillside Garden' designed to manage stormwater runoff naturally.
The geodesic dome utilizes over 1,000 panes of glass in its construction.
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is anchored by a distinctive geodesic dome conservatory, designed by architect Lloyd Cecil Wesley and completed in 1979. The site features an extensive collection of tropical and temperate plants spanning diverse climates. The facility integrates horticultural displays with rotating art exhibitions in its gallery spaces. Outdoor areas encompass 14 acres of gardens, including a conifer garden, a rose garden, and a water garden. It serves as an educational hub for regional plant biology and sustainable gardening practices. The conservatory's glass structure allows for year-round botanical observation regardless of Iowa's seasonal shifts. The garden is managed by a non-profit organization focused on public engagement and community gardening.
From the interior of the geodesic dome looking upward at the glass geometry against the tropical canopy.
Check the online events calendar for seasonal plant sales or horticultural workshops.
Wear layers, as the climate-controlled dome is significantly more humid than the outdoor gardens.
Visit the Trellis Cafe located inside the conservatory for views of the plant displays.
Do not overlook the outdoor gardens; many visitors stay only inside the dome, missing the extensive external landscaping.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
Refrain from touching the plants or entering non-public display beds; stay on marked paths.
