Plan Your Visit / Garden Spaces

Garden Spaces

To Explore

Reiman Gardens covers 17 acres with 26 distinct garden areas and several structures including the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, the Conservatory and Gift Shop. There are many areas within the Gardens, each with its own mission and notable features. Click for more on the unique areas of the Gardens.

two rows of bald cypress trees in summer with green grass and blue sky

Bald Cypress Allée

Garden Features & Mission A formal allée, one of the original design axis of the garden. A popular place for weddings and quiet moments. Garden features: an open lawn Prominent plants: Bald Cypress

The Events Plaza overlooking the Butterfly Wing with grasses and a sculpture

Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing

Garden Features & Mission This tropical paradise is home to up to 800 live butterflies representing up to 80 different species. Reiman Gardens is permitted to display almost 1,000 different butterflies of native and exotic species, so there’s always something new to see. While visiting, notice how the structure of […]

outdoors in the Pattern Garden with a paved surface and various planted containers

CoHort’s Patio Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Patio Garden is a modern courtyard with a limited perennial plant palette and a burst of colorful annual plants in containers. Garden features: […]

outdoors in summer in the Shade Garden with large trees and plants

DeeAnn Drew Shade Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Shade Garden showcases plants that grow in deep shade conditions. Elwood the World’s Largest Concrete Gnome helps us cast some shade on these […]

Dr. Griffith J. Buck Rose Collection

Garden Features & Mission This garden features the hardy roses developed by Dr. Griffith Buck. Dr. Buck, a professor at Iowa State University, bred many beautiful, hardy landscape roses between 1962 and 1985. Buck roses are recognized worldwide for their winter hardiness, attractiveness and low maintenance. They can survive Iowa’s […]

outdoors in summer in the Dunlap Courtyard with a foutain, and plants growing up trellises

Dunlap Entry Courtyard

Garden Features & Mission A popular gathering space that also affords scenic views of the Gardens, this area is framed by a pair of sculptures called, “Dikotomia” and “Pods” and benefits from the shade of several Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) trees. Garden features: Dikhotomia, Pods, seating, shaded area, annual plants Prominent […]

outdoor in summer in the East Entry Garden with white flowers and a bridge

East Entry Garden

Garden Features & Mission The east entrance to Reiman Gardens is flanked by the East Entry Garden and North Lawn. The East Entry Garden showcases native prairie perennial with a mixed shrub border. Garden features: native plants, Old Bridge Prominent plants: Maney Juniper, Ohio Buckeye

outdoors in the Edible Garden with planted fruits and veggies and a red trellis

Edible Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Edible Garden showcases a raised bed garden for vegetables and flowers with edible parts. Garden features: Potting Shed, apple trellis, raised beds

outdoors in summer in the Front Yard Garden with grasses, large trees, a fence, and a building created with the prairie style of architecture

Front Yard Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Front Yard Garden showcases a mixture of new plant introductions amongst tried-and-true plantings. Garden features: mixed beds, annual containers Prominent plants: State Street […]

outdoors in summer in the Heirnloom Garden with roses, bushes, and a wistera arbor

Heirloom Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Heirloom Garden contains plants common to early 1900’s gardens, including roses from the original 1910 Iowa State University Horticulture Garden. Garden features Historic Collection, Rose Garden Prominent plants: Ames Rose, Princeton Sentry Ginkgo

Outdoors in the Jones Rose Garden in summer with many multi colored flowers and a wisteria arbor

Helen Latch Jones Rose Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Jones Rose Garden incorporates a sustainable focus in its design and maintenance practices. Rose cultivars are selected for disease-resistance and winter-hardiness. The rose palette includes a mix of Buck roses, EarthKind roses, Easy Elegance® and Proven Winners® roses. Pairing these roses with perennials and other […]

outdoors in the summer in the Hillside Garden with green bushes and shrubs

Hillside Water-wise Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Hillside Water-wise Garden is the only one of its kind in Iowa for its unique planting method and style. A path casually winds up the hill through four different planting themes, planted in 4-6″ of gravel, and bordered by impressive limestone walls. The plantings reflect […]

outdoors in fall in the Front Yard Garden with large trees, grasses, a wood fence and a building

Home Demonstration Gardens

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces.

indoors in the tropical plant conservatory with people, orchids and large tropical plants

Hughes Conservatory

Garden Features & Mission This glass house features a lush, tropical collection of colorful and rare plants among seasonal, artistic creations that interpret garden themes and intrigue guests. Be sure to see the palms, cycads, and tranquil waterfall and pond. Garden features: tropical border, annual display, water feature, annual containers

outdoors during summerin the Herb Garden with a sun dial and varous plants and flowers

Joey and Jesse’s Herb Garden

Garden Features & Mission The sundial in the center of Herb Garden was a gift to the old horticulture garden on Iowa State University’s campus. This formal garden features raised beds with a mix of annual and perennial plants. Each bed corresponds with a theme – including Fragrance, Tea and […]

Outdoors at Lake Helen with pink water lilies and lily pads

Lake Helen

Garden Features & Mission Lake Helen anchors the central garden area with several planting shelves supporting aquatic wildlife, plants and fish. In summer, Lake Helen is home to many Victoria water platters, hardy water lilies, and lotus. Garden features: Purple Martin House, Look-out, water feature, open lawn, aquatic plants Prominent […]

outdoors in Spring in the Campanile Garden with tulips, trees and the campanile

Margaret E. Penkhus Campanile Garden

Garden Features & Mission This garden serves as a visual link to Iowa State University’s Central Campus while providing an open lawn gathering space. This area is a striking entrance to the City of Ames and Iowa State University as the Gardens creates innovative displays of rotating bulb and annual […]

outdoors in the Natuarlist Garden in summer with trees, plants and a wood table and chairs

Naturalist Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Naturalist Garden showcases native perennials and shrubs around a small water feature. Garden features: water feature

outdoors in summer with large green trees with a person sitting at a bench of the North Lawn

North Lawn

Garden Features & Mission The east entrance to Reiman Gardens is flanked by the East Entry Garden and North Lawn. The North Lawn is an open lawn space with some of Reiman Gardens’ most mature trees. Garden features: open lawn Prominent plants: Cornus mas, Peony collection

oudoors in summer with many lush green trees and pink flowers

North Mixed Border

Garden Features & Mission A mixed border combines herbaceous and woody plants in an interesting and attractive way to provide four seasons of interest. The North Mixed Border contains many different perennial plants and small shrubs. Prominent plants: Magnolia ‘Merrill’, Mugo Pine ‘Tennenbaum’, Juniper ‘Taylor’, Swamp White Oak

outdoors in summrer in the Outdoor Living Room with grass, plants, a planted container and a water feature

Outdoor Living Room

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Outdoor Living Room provides space to sit outdoors, an open lawn, and mixed planting beds. A small waterfall adds to the inviting atmosphere. […]

outdoors in summer with blue and purple flowers and the Children's Garden sign

Patty Jischke Children’s Garden

Garden Features & Mission With agriculture as its theme, the Children’s Garden contains elements reminiscent of Iowa’s agricultural heritage. Features include a hideout, a maze, tumbling mounds, a butterfly bench, and a stock tank with hand pumps to squirt water at unsuspecting friends. Hangout in the amphitheater that often features […]

outdoors in summer in the Prairie Vista Garden with a fire pit with plants in the firepit, stone at the fireplace and yellow hanging planters

Prairie Vista Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. Prairie Vista provides an elevated terrace over a small prairie. Garden features: Rabbit Hill sculptures, hanging baskets, borrowed views Prominent plants: European Hornbeam

outdoors in summer in the reflection garden with a tree, shrubs, a fountain water feature and a deck and pergola

Reflection Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Reflection Garden displays shade tolerant plants around a central water feature. Garden features: water feature, shaded area, gazebo, annual containers Prominent plants: Dawn […]

outdoors in summer in the Formal Lawn Garden with large trees, lawn, and planted containers

Ross Formal Lawn Garden

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Ross Formal Lawn highlights an open lawn plan with symmetrical plantings and a strong focal point. Garden features: Frank Lloyd Wright urns and […]

outdoors in summer in the Hardwood Foest with large green trees, a wood pergola and a person

Roy & Mary Amos Smith Hardwood Forest

Garden Features & Mission The Hardwood Forest features some of Reiman Gardens’ most mature trees. Walk the open lawn, sit under the secluded pergola, and enjoy the view of the Campanile Garden. Garden features: Totems, pergola, open lawn, shaded area Prominent plants: Red Oak, Blue Spruce ‘Fat Albert’

outdoors in summer in the Events Plaza with decorative concreate paths, flowers, tables, chairs and umbrellas

Rust Events Plaza

Garden Features & Mission This open plaza, nestled between the Conservatory Complex and the Mahlstede Building, is ideal for relaxing or hosting your next event. Take a seat in the shade or look around and enjoy the mixed planting beds and . “Joy II”, a working water fountain designed by […]

outside during the summer with colorful flowers, and a flower tower in the South Field

South Field

Garden Features & Mission The South Field, located just south of the Mahlstead Building, is often used to display a sculpture for our annual theme year. The perennial plantings act as an anchor for the raised annual bed in the middle. Garden features: open lawn, annual plantings Prominent plants: Feather […]

outdoors in summer with large trees with green leaves and pink flowers below

South Mixed Border

Garden Features & Mission A mixed border combines herbaceous and woody plants in an interesting and attractive way to provide four seasons of interest. The South Mixed Border contains many interesting evergreen trees. Garden features: Dancing Chimes Prominent plants: Ginkgo ‘Autumn Gold’, Norway Spruce ‘Acrocona’

outdoors in summer with lush green, burgundy and pink plants

South Patio

Garden Features & Mission The South Patio of the Mahlstede Building is surround by garden beds that showcase specimen trees – a trio of river birch, a weeping larch, and a pair of yellow buckeyes. The beds around these trees serve to highlight these trees and provide additional seasons of […]

outdoors in the Sunny Side Yard during summer with evergreens

Sunny Side Yard

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Sunny Side Garden provides an example of a small space with a lot of character. Prominent plants: Chamaecyparis ‘King’s Gold’ […]

outdoors at a public garden with a lake, tower, trees and colorful plants

Sycamore Falls

Garden Features & Mission A series of water pools cascade over a native limestone wall to collect in a circular pool surrounded by a walkway. A grassy meadow and bright perennial plantings will enhance the water feature’s path. An additional feature of the garden is a tower structure that adds […]

outdoors in summer with the trial garden

Trial and Display Gardens

Garden Features & Mission The Trial and Display Garden is the home to our yearly All-American Selections (AAS) Trials of annual and perennial plants and the American Rose Trials for Sustainability (ARTS), where new cultivars of roses are trialed for two years. Garden features: Raised beds, annual plantings, annual […]

outdoors in summer in the Walled Courtyard with various flowers and evergreens

Walled Court

Garden Features & Mission The Home Demonstration is broken into several small district gardens which contain ideas to be incorporated into home and business garden spaces. The Walled Court creates a microclimate, allowing plants that are usually too tender for Iowa winters to thrive. Prominent plants: Maple ‘Bloodgood’, Ilex ‘Sky […]

outdoors in summer with trees, shrubs, and flowers

West Entry Garden

Garden Features & Mission The West Entry Garden frames the entrance of the Conservatory Complex. A mixture of shade and ornamental trees, as well as large shrubs provide four seasons of interest. Garden features: open lawn, Reiman Rock Prominent plants: Euonymus ‘Verona’, Sumac ‘Morton’