Public Gardens of Iowa

Public gardens are a wonderful source of inspiration, relaxation, and beauty for the community.  Many provide educational programming year-round to help you learn more about gardening, plants, and the environment. 

Visit in the spring for the bright and colorful blooms.  Visit in the summer to be inspired and get ideas you can use in your own landscape.  A visit in the fall can be a source of learning by taking a tour or class.  And they are a wonderful oasis from the winter blues, especially those with a tropical conservatory. 

All of these botanical gardens and arboreta contribute to their community and rely heavily on volunteers to keep them growing. Consider volunteering to become even more engaged with a local community and a beautiful landscape.

Below is a listing of public gardens across the state.  Visit the one closest to you and check each of them off your list as you travel the state.  

Learn more about public gardens from the American Public Garden Association

Contact us if you have an Iowa garden to add to the list.

Bickelhaupt Arboretum
Bickelhaupt Arboretum (Clinton)                            
Brenton Arboretum
Brenton Arboretum            (Dallas Center)                   
Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanical Gardens (Waterloo)
Crapo Park
Crapo Park               (Burlington)            
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Forest Park
Forest Park                        (Perry)
Iowa Arboretum and Gardens
Iowa Arboretum and Gardens (Madrid)
Lauritzen Gardens
Lauritzen Gardens          (Omaha, NE)
Muscatine Arboretum
Muscatine Arboretum                              
Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Quad City Botanical Center
Quad City Botanical Center (Rock Island, IL)
Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens - Iowa State University (Ames)
Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange     (Decorah)
Vander Veer Botanical Park
Vander Veer Botanical Park  (Davenport)

                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authors:
Last reviewed:
April 2023