Ongoing
	Show House
	The Show House will carry the Storytime in the Gardens theme as well. July-September: Displays inspired by the very popular Magic Tree House book series will fill the Show House. The pergola will be transformed into the treehouse, and each bay a different place/time. September-December: The Show House will segue into the holidays with displays inspired by classic Disney stories.
	Gallery Shows
	Through September 16 the North Wing Gallery at the Botanical Center features the works of artists Marilyn and Roger Towndrow, their daughter Aimee, and a host of artist friends and students—literally from all over the world. Beginning September 17 through October 31 the North Wing Gallery will feature large photograph of flowers and quilts inspired by them. Through Labor Day weekend the Show House Corridor features miniatures of artist James Givan’s work, themed “Walking on the Prairie.” September 7 through October 31 the Show House Corridor will be hung with photography by Malak, one of the 20th century’s most famous garden photographers. Art and photography on display at the Botanical Center is accessible to all visitors, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
	Honor System Library
	The Swartz room in the North Wing at the Botanical Center holds more than 2,000 books about plants and gardening. The books are available to peruse on site or to check out. We have many books about growing vegetables, herbs and fruits, not to mention all kinds of flowers, shrubs, trees and vines. Access to the library is available to all members, volunteers, badge-wearing Master Gardeners, and visitors attending business meetings in the North Wing or visitors who have paid admission on entering the Botanical Center.
	Storytime in the Gardens
	Children can enjoy different crafts and activities with each new garden design. Enjoy new products in the Garden Gate Gift Shop, including theme-related books and menu items at the Riverwalk Café, corresponding with each new garden design. August-September: Experience a "Tropical Alphabet Exploration" throughout the gardens. Visitors can participate in a tropical plant alphabet scavenger hunt in the dome and win a prize for correctly completing the scavenger hunt. A few of the featured plants include: hibiscus, kalanchoe and bananas. October-November: The fall gardens will be inspired by Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin, including Charlie Brown's house decorated for Halloween, children dressed as ghosts and witches and fall mums planted along a picket fence. See a giant pumpkin patch with Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin to visit. November-December: The holiday show will be inspired by Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Whimsical gardens will welcome visitors with brightly painted poinsettias, topiaries and a variety of unusual plants. Enjoy the winding path through Santa's house. Santa will visit the Dome in December and greet all the good little boys and girls.
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September
September 17, 2010 - October 31, 2010, 10:00am-5:00pm	American Patchwork & Quilting Display - North Wing Gallery
	Beginning September 17 and running through October 31, the North Wing Gallery will feature quilts from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine paired with botanical prints from the Meredith Creative Library - all different from last year's popular display. The living quilt in the Show House will be in the Pinwheel pattern, first recorded in 1795. It was created by Carolyn Magnani using various different colored coleus grown in the Botanical Center greenhouses. Carolyn is a Botanical Center Volunteer, a Polk County Master Gardener and a member of the Des Moines Quilters’ Guild. This exhibition coincides with the American Quilter's Society Show October 6-9 that annually brings over 20,000 quilters to the Iowa Events Center.
September 25, 2010, 10:00am	Goldfish & Tropical Plant Giveaway
	First come, first serve - we're giving away goldfish and tropical plants. After your regular paid admission to the Botanical Center, line up to receive your goldfish and/or tropical plant - FREE!! More details to follow.
September 28, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
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October
September 30, 2010 - October 3, 2010	3rd Annual Fall Bulb Mart
	Come early and often, shop for hardy perennial spring bulbs and peonies - over 60,000 to choose from! Plant any time until the ground freezes. Many of the bulbs are deer- and critter-resistant, some, such as daffodils and alliums, are virtually deer-proof. September 30 from 4-7pm, October 1-2, 10am-5pm and October 3, noon-4pm. The Bulb Mart will be in greenhouses 4 and 5. Click here for a list of Bulbs and more information.
October 4-31, 2010, 10:00am-5:00pm	Great Pumpkin and Scarecrow Contest
	Des Moines area art students have been challenged by the Botanical Center to enter our 2010 Great Pumpkin and Scarecrow contest. These works will be made out of various materials (preferably recycled items) and will be judged the final week of October but will be on display the entire month. What a unique opportunity to enjoy a fall day here at the Botanical Center while admiring youth art!
October 26, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
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November
November 5-6, 2010	3rd Annual Holiday Bulb Mart
	Shop for amaryllis, paper white narcissus, Festival hyacinths and other bulbs to grow in the house for winter blooms. You'll also find a selection of the newest and best hardy lily bulbs, best planted in the fall up to the time the ground freezes. The sale will be on Friday, November 5 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November 11, 2010, 10:00am-5:00pm	Veterans Day - Free Admission
	Veterans and their families can enjoy free admission to the Des Moines Botanical Center in honor of Veterans Day!
November 30, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
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December
December 12, 2010, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm	Snackin' with the Clauses (and the Grinch!)
	Come spend the afternoon with Santa & Mrs. Claus! Enjoy holiday music while you are enjoying the breath-taking poinsettia display in the Dome. Bring your cameras and capture your childrens' smiles as they give Santa their wish list. Then be sure to go spend some time with Mrs. Claus - she'll be telling stories and sharing a snack with all of the little girls and boys. There will be a craft activity and a scavenger hunt in the dome with a prize. You won't want to miss this very special holiday event! Admission will be $1.00 for ages 1-3, $4.00 for 4-17 year-olds, and regular admission rates of $5.00 per adult and $4.00 per senior (ages 65+).
December 19, 2010, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm	Snackin' with the Clauses (and the Grinch!)
	Come spend the afternoon with Santa & Mrs. Claus! Enjoy holiday music while you are enjoying the breath-taking poinsettia display in the Dome. Bring your cameras and capture your childrens' smiles as they give Santa their wish list. Then be sure to go spend some time with Mrs. Claus - she'll be telling stories and sharing a snack with all of the little girls and boys. There will be a craft activity and a scavenger hunt in the dome with a prize. You won't want to miss this very special holiday event! Admission will be $1.00 for ages 1-3, $4.00 for 4-17 year-olds, and regular admission rates of $5.00 per adult and $4.00 per senior (ages 65+).
December 28-30, 2010, 10:00am-3:00pm	Hats Off to a New Year!
	Bring the kids to the tropical warmth of the Dome on Tuesday, Dec. 28th, Wednesday, Dec. 29th, or Thursday, Dec. 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for special crafts, games, activities, and prizes at our "Hats Off to a New Year" event. The cost is adults - $5.00; children ages 4 and up - $4.00; and 2 and 3 year-olds - $1.00. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information call 323-6290.
December 28, 2010, 10:00am	Toddler Time
	Enjoy a story with a garden theme, music and movement. Accompanied by an adult caregiver, children ages 1-3 are invited to dance, sing, and play, as they enjoy the company of children their own age. This very special morning always ends with a treasure hunt in the dome. No pre-registration required. Children 1-3 are $1.00, regular admission rates apply for other children and adults.
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The Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center welcomes your comments and questions. If you have questions, or comments about the botanical & environmental center e-mail us at botanicalcenter@botanicalcenter.com Copyright © 2005-2009 Des Moines Botanical & Environmental Center. All rights reserved. Legal Terms of Use