Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024

Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024
Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens - Sun., Sept. 21, 2014

I love to visit gardens to learn about the world's flora. I wasn't sure what to expect from the Des Moines Botanical Gardens because it looked like it was only one domed structure. When I asked about how big the gardens were, I was told it was the indoor dome (Conservatory), Gardener's Show House, and North Gallery, but the new, seven-acre outdoor garden wouldn't be open until October 2. Bummer.

It was $5 to get in. Their special exhibit in the Gardener's Show House was different gardener's interpretations of works of art. Here are my impressions of Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens.

Plumeria with a large-leafed plant
Indian Clock Vine
Read the following carefully. It was with the art installation below it. I thought the artist had a great sense of humor.

Observations
"Observations" artistic planting.

Coleus

Golden Chain Orchid
Lavender Lady Passionflower

Orchid
Papaya
Bananas
Flamingo plant
Chenille plant
Bloodroot
Whimsical art in the garden

Orchids
Orchids
My overall impression is I've seen much better botanic gardens. If you haven't spent much time in a tropical area you might enjoy this garden, but it is very limited in size and scope (tropical and a small desert area). Maybe the outdoor garden will add a lot to the variety you will see here. [Disclaimer: We lived in Hawaii for five years and went to the botanic gardens there. We've see lots more tropical plants than what this garden offers.] This is a very small botanic garden.

That's all I've got. Travel Bug out.

5 comments:

  1. Good review, we won't go there next time. We are now in Quincy, IL. We will be in Aransas this winter, not sure if you are heading back to San Antonio this winter.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, we are heading back to San Antonio by Nov. 1. We both still have our jobs there.

      Happy to hear you'll be in Aransas, We'll have to mosey on down that way and say howdy.

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  2. Orchids are always gorgeous, no matter where they are seen. ..but I agree with your point. . .once you've seen specimens growing in the wild (ie. Bird of Paradise growing in the ditch in Maui) it's just never the same. . .

    We feel the same about zoos. . .

    Love the header pic. . .glad you expressed how much you enjoyed the night view, we may have missed something spectacular. . .

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    Replies
    1. Happy you could see it at night. Waiting for your blog...

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  3. It is heaven after all, not a botanical garden :-)

    ReplyDelete

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