Reiman Gardens - A Place Of Natural Wonder

Stepping into Reiman Gardens feels a bit like finding a quiet, colorful escape right in the middle of things, so it's almost a little surprise how much peace you can discover there. This popular spot, which many people really enjoy, is celebrating three decades of bringing joy and natural beauty to visitors from all over. They have put together some truly wonderful displays, twelve of them actually, each one designed to show off the bright colors, clever ideas, and a certain kind of appealing charm that have made the gardens what they are for thirty years now.

You see, this rather large garden area, stretching out over seventeen acres, is located in Ames, Iowa, and it really does draw people in from both nearby towns and places far away. It’s a place where you can find a quiet calmness and a lot of pretty things to look at, showcasing a very captivating mix of different plants, many kinds of flowers, and special garden areas, each with its own specific feel. It’s a good choice for anyone who enjoys being around nature, and it’s also a very nice spot for families to spend some time together, as a matter of fact.

This year, in some respects, is a really big one for celebrations at Reiman Gardens, as this much-loved Ames attraction is marking its thirtieth year. The whole place is really leaning into the idea of being "picture perfect," which means there are so many lovely scenes just waiting for you to enjoy. Beyond the flowers and plants, you might just find some truly memorable characters and features that make this place quite special, too.

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Table of Contents

• What Makes Reiman Gardens So Special?
• Discovering the Charm of Reiman Gardens' Unique Residents
• Are There Events and Activities at Reiman Gardens for Everyone?
• The Legacy of Reiman Gardens - A Horticultural Story
• Planning Your Visit to Reiman Gardens - What You Should Know
• How Does a Reiman Gardens Membership Benefit You?
• The Ever-Changing Beauty of Reiman Gardens Through the Seasons
• Reiman Gardens - A Community Gem

What Makes Reiman Gardens So Special?

When people talk about places worth seeing, Reiman Gardens often comes up as a spot that really stands out. It was named one of the top ten botanical gardens in North America that people should think about traveling to in 2024, which is a pretty big deal, you know. It has also been recognized as the very best in Story County, which really says something about how much the local community values it. This year, with the theme of "picture perfect," the gardens are putting on quite a show. There are twelve truly beautiful displays, each one set up in a way that makes it just right for taking photos, capturing the spirit of the gardens over the last three decades. Each display seems to tell a little story through its use of color and the clever ways things are arranged, making you feel a real sense of creative thought behind it all. You might find yourself just walking around, soaking in the quiet atmosphere, and feeling a kind of gentle joy from being surrounded by so much natural artistry, basically. It's more or less a place where every corner holds a little visual treat, waiting for you to discover it.

Discovering the Charm of Reiman Gardens' Unique Residents

Reiman Gardens is home to some truly interesting characters and exhibits that make a visit even more memorable. For instance, there's Elwood, who is, in fact, the world's largest gnome made of cement. He's quite a sight to behold, and if you're visiting from outside the state, you really should try to include a stop to see him in your plans, as he's got a very endearing quality about him, honestly. Beyond Elwood, the gardens also house one of the largest butterfly exhibits in the Midwest. This is a place where you can watch these delicate creatures flutter around, moving from flower to flower, and it's a rather peaceful experience, as a matter of fact. But it’s not just butterflies that get attention here; Reiman Gardens is also expanding its focus to include other insects. Thanks to some help from a grant, they now have a special display dedicated to entomology, which is the study of insects. This display will regularly show off different kinds of invertebrates, so you might see things like walking sticks, various cockroaches, interesting beetles, tarantulas, and even scorpions. It’s a very cool way to learn about creatures you might not usually get to observe up close, you know. And then there's "Stink Floyd," which is the nickname for a plant called *Amorphophallus titanum*, often known as a corpse plant. When this rather large plant blooms, it gives off a really strong smell that is said to be like rotting flesh – yes, you read that right! This unique smell is actually a clever way the plant attracts insects to help it spread its pollen, which is pretty fascinating, if you ask me.

Are There Events and Activities at Reiman Gardens for Everyone?

You might wonder if there's always something happening at Reiman Gardens, and the answer is a pretty clear yes. There are often special events and programs coming up, and these are usually included with your general admission ticket, or they might just be part of the everyday experience. If you’re someone who likes to give back, there are also volunteer opportunities available for specific events, which is a nice way to get involved. If you're interested in helping out more regularly at Reiman Gardens, they have a dedicated volunteer page where you can find out more about those ongoing chances to contribute, which is very helpful. During the holiday season, a beloved tradition returns: the RG Express train. From November 9, 2024, through January 18, 2025, visitors of all ages can enjoy this detailed garden-scale train display. It was put together by a company known around the world for their train displays that mix plant design with architectural elements, and this particular display is one of only eighteen like it in North America, so it's quite special. For the younger visitors, or those who enjoy a bit of imaginative play, there are playhouses, too. Each playhouse has its own theme, like stories of fairies, things found in nature, or even outer space, and they offer a unique way to play and interact with the garden surroundings. And if you’re thinking about spring, April at Reiman Gardens is a time of real beauty, with thousands of flowers coming into bloom. They even have a "Spring Enchantment Festival" on April 19, which sounds like a truly lovely way to experience the season, you know.

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The Legacy of Reiman Gardens - A Horticultural Story

Reiman Gardens isn't just a pretty place that appeared out of nowhere; it actually has roots that go back a long way, continuing a tradition of horticulture at Iowa State University that started back in 1914. It’s a place that carries on a rich history of growing and showing off plants, basically. One part of this story involves the Dr. Buck roses, which are a particular type of hardy rose featured in one of the garden areas. Dr. Buck, who was a professor at Iowa State University, spent many years, between 1962 and 1985, creating a lot of really beautiful and tough landscape roses. These "Buck roses" are known all over the world for a few very important qualities. They are recognized for being able to handle cold winters, which means they can survive Iowa's winter temperatures without too much trouble, which is pretty amazing. They also have a very appealing look to them, and they don't require a lot of special care, which makes them a good choice for many gardens. Plus, they tend to be quite resistant to most of the common problems that roses can face, so they stay looking good without a lot of fuss. It's a testament to the work done at Iowa State, really, and a lovely part of the Reiman Gardens story.

Planning Your Visit to Reiman Gardens - What You Should Know

When you're thinking about coming to Reiman Gardens, there are a few practical things that are good to keep in mind to make your visit as pleasant as possible. The gardens are open every day, usually starting at 9 a.m., so you have plenty of time to explore. However, it's worth noting that Reiman Gardens does close on days when Iowa State University has a home football game. This is something to check beforehand if your visit happens to fall on a weekend during football season, you know. While Reiman Gardens is a natural place where kids can run around and discover things, it's important to remember that it's not set up like a public park or a playground. It's a living collection of plants and artwork, so visitors are asked to be respectful of everything there. This means staying on the marked paths and grassy areas, and not going into the ponds, streams, or fountains, other than any designated splash areas, of course. For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, any young people aged twelve and under need to be with an adult supervisor at all times. Following these simple guidelines helps keep the gardens a beautiful and enjoyable place for everyone who comes to visit, basically.

How Does a Reiman Gardens Membership Benefit You?

Getting a membership to Reiman Gardens offers some pretty cool perks that go beyond just getting into the gardens whenever you want. One of the really neat things about being a member is that it gives you access to a whole lot of other public gardens across the United States, too. This is because Reiman Gardens participates in the American Horticultural Society's (AHS) reciprocal membership program. What this means is that your membership here can get you into as many as three hundred other gardens that are part of this network, which is quite a lot of places to explore, you know. So, if you enjoy visiting different garden spaces and you travel a bit, a Reiman Gardens membership could be a very worthwhile thing to have, letting you see more beautiful plant collections without having to pay admission at each new place. It's a way to extend your love for plants and natural beauty far beyond Ames, which is really something to consider.

The Ever-Changing Beauty of Reiman Gardens Through the Seasons

One of the truly wonderful things about Reiman Gardens is how it changes with the passing of the year, offering a different kind of beauty in each season. For instance, spring is a time that feels like everything is being made new again, and there's really no better spot to experience that special feeling than at Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa. In April, the gardens are absolutely full of flowers, putting on a show that is truly unforgettable, creating what they call a "spring enchantment" experience. You’ll see thousands upon thousands of flowers, all bursting with color, and there are exciting events happening, like the Spring Enchantment Festival. This time of year is, in some respects, the ultimate adventure for anyone who loves nature and wants to see it at its most vibrant. But it’s not just spring; the gardens adapt and offer different displays and feelings as summer brings lush growth, autumn brings a different palette of colors, and even winter offers its own quiet charm, often with special light displays or train exhibits, as a matter of fact. Each visit can feel a little different, depending on when you go, which keeps things interesting, you know.

Reiman Gardens - A Community Gem

Reiman Gardens is truly a special place, recognized as the best in Story County, and it’s easy to see why. It offers a kind of quiet peacefulness and a lot of visual attractiveness, making it a perfect spot for anyone who enjoys the natural world and for families looking for a pleasant outing. It’s a place where you can connect with plants, learn about insects, and just enjoy being outdoors in a thoughtfully cared-for setting. Whether you’re looking for a moment of calm, a place for kids to discover, or a unique experience like seeing the world's largest cement gnome, Reiman Gardens provides a welcoming space. It really is a treasured part of the community, offering something for everyone who steps through its gates, you know.