04/18/2026
if youโre ready to shake off the winter blues and soak up the iowa sunshine, now is the time to get outside! des moines has some truly spectacular displays of color that only last for a few weeks each year and this is a great weekend to get out and see some of it!
โwhether youโre a hobbyist photographer or just someone who wants a beautiful saturday morning stroll, here is your guide to navigating the best blooms in the city. โบ๏ธ
the window for spring flowers is short and sweet. to catch them at their best, keep an eye on these typical windows:
โ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฅ-๐ข๐ฑ๐ณ๐ช๐ญ: magnolias and early bulbs like tulips and daffodils.
โโ๐ญ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฑ๐ณ๐ช๐ญ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ญ๐บ ๐ฎ๐ข๐บ: flowering crabapples and lilacs.
โ๐ญ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ข๐บ: peonies and early roses.
โwhere to go:
โโ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐ฌ๐ค๐ง๐ ๐จ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐ธ
this is the crown jewel of spring in des moines. it houses one of the worldโs largest collections of flowering crabapple trees. โwhen the 800+ trees hit peak bloom, itโs a sea of white and pink. it is the perfect place for a picnic or a long walk.
โpro tip: it gets very busy on weekends. if you can sneak away on a tuesday or wednesday morning, youโll have much more peace and quiet.
โ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ (๐ก๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ค๐ง๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ข) ๐ชป
located on the southeast side of the city, this is a sensory experience; with hundreds of lilac bushes in dozens of varieties, the fragrance hits you before you even see the color. the shades range from deep violet to pale lavender and white.
โpro tip: there are paved paths throughout, making this a very accessible spot for strollers or dogs on leashes.
โ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ข๐๐ก๐๐จ ๐ข๐๐ก๐ก๐จ ๐ง๐ค๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ฃ ๐น
tucked behind the des moines art center in greenwood park, this spot feels like a hidden european garden. while the roses peak a bit later in may and june, the architectural layout and early perennials make it beautiful throughout the spring. itโs a quiet, reflective space with stunning stonework.
โ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐๐จ ๐ข๐ค๐๐ฃ๐๐จ ๐๐ค๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ฃ ๐ท
if you want to see a curated, professional display, the outdoor gardens here are fantastic. youโll see thousands of tulips and curated bulb displays that change every year.
โpro tip: there is an admission fee, but it grants you access to the indoor conservatory as well, a great backup plan if an iowa spring rain shower pops up.
โจ๏ธ
taking photos with your phone?
โcloudy is better! don't be discouraged by an overcast day. clouds act as a giant softbox, making the colors of the flowers look deeper and more saturated.
โchange your perspective! instead of standing and looking down at a flower, crouch down and get on its level. it makes the landscape look much more immersive. or, put your phone in the flowers and opt for a selfie of you standing above the phone for a cool, artistic vibe!
โwatch the wind; if you're trying to get a close-up, wait for a lull in the breeze so your photo stays sharp.
โenjoy the fresh air and the color while it's here!
โ๏ธ๐ผ๐ท๐ชป
