Iowa Arboretum & Gardens

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION!
2026-04-25 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Iowa Arboretum & Gardens, 1875 Peach Avenue, MADRID, IA, 50156
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026 ~ 9am to 12noon Join us for our annual celebration of all things trees ~ from tree themed activities and crafts to Treehouse Village Playtime and KIDS CLIMB event with the Iowa Arborists Association on site to assist with tree climbing! We’ll also have scavenger hunts, snacks, tree planting ceremony and a free tree sapling for all attendees! General admission rates apply and include all Arbore Day Celebration activities ~ members are FREE! **RUN FOR THE TREES PARTICIPANTS ARE ALSO FREE AFTER THEIR RUN/WALK!**

ANNUAL PLANT SALE!
2026-04-30 09:00 - 2026-05-02 16:00
Enhance and beautify your garden with the best plants at the annual Plant Sale at Iowa Arboretum & Gardens!
Discover an outstanding selection of perennials and specialty plants carefully chosen for their beauty, performance, and suitability for Iowa landscapes. Whether you’re refreshing a garden bed, adding vibrant color, or searching for that one standout specimen, you’ll find high-quality plants hand-selected by our horticulture expert.
Knowledgeable staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and help you choose the right plants for your space. Plus, every purchase supports the Arboretum’s mission to connect people of all ages with nature.
Shop early for the best selection

What Chinese Gardens Teach Us About Living with Nature
2026-05-02 10:00 - 11:00
Cultural workshop offered during our Annual Plant Sale! Phoebe Liang D’Alessandro is an expert in Chinese philosophy, culture, and China-related issues. She served as a Chinese language and culture professor at Drake University from 2019 to 2022 and has been a Chinese culture ambassador with CultureALL since 2014. Join us as Phoebe presents information about how nature has influenced Chinese approaches to harmonious living. After the talk, come to our greenhouse and peruse the many available plants for your home and garden. GET TICKETS

Garden Social & Auction 2026
2026-05-09 17:00 - 20:30
Join us for our annual fundraiser to support the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens on Saturday, May 9, 2026
Click Here for tickets or table sponsorships

CLASSIC CAR SHOW
2026-06-07 11:00 - 14:00
SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026 11am to 2pm ~ Bring your classic car to show or just show up and marvel at the classic beauties lining our lot and grounds! Food trucks will be on hand so you can have a bite while you peruse the collection. BRINGING A CAR TO SHOW? Arrive between 10 -10:45am to get set up.

TUNES IN THE TREES
2026-06-09 17:00 - 20:00
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026 5pm-8pm ~ Join us for this family friendly outdoor concert event featuring the award winning WEARY RAMBLERS! Food trucks open at 5pm. $10/Members; $15/General Public BUY A SEASON TICKET AND SAVE! Get 4 concert admissions for the price of 3!
BUY SEASON TICKETS HERE
Treehouse Village Playtime until 6pm ($5 per person/free for Members). Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blanket, the kids, your neighbors and the family dog! NEW THIS YEAR: Lawn activities for the kids!

YOGA in the GARDENS
2026-06-21 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-07-19 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-08-16 09:00 - 10:00
REGISTER NOW
Practicing yoga in the beauty of nature offers a complete reset for your mind, body, and spirit through these five key benefits:
Eases Aches & Improves Mobility
Melts Stress & Boosts Mood
Supports Heart Health & Vitality
Sharpens Mindfulness & Mental Clarity
Nourishes Self-Care & Connection
Meet Your Instructor
Erin Luense is an Iowa native and experienced yoga teacher whose practice is rooted in presence, compassion, and mindful connection. With over seven years of dedicated study, Erin earned her RYT 200 through Balance Yoga Lounge, her RYT 500 through Inner Peace Yoga Therapy, and has completed additional training in Trauma-Informed Yoga. Her teaching style is thoughtful, grounding, and responsive—meeting each individual where they are physically, mentally, and emotionally. Erin’s classes invite students to connect with the wisdom of the body, the rhythm of the breath, and the healing power of the present moment.

TUNES IN THE TREES
2026-07-14 17:00 - 20:00
Today’s Concert Has Been Moved Indoors.
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026 5 pm – 8 pm ~ Join us for this family-friendly outdoor concert event featuring RHYTHMIC REWIND! Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blanket, the kids, your neighbors, and the family dog! NEW THIS YEAR: Lawn activities for the kids!
*On rainy or very hot days, concerts will be moved inside.

Get ready for an evening of classic hits as Rhythmic Rewind Band brings you the oldies and the goodies!
5pm ~ Lawn activities start and an activity from Boone Girl Scouts
5pm – 7:45pm ~ Mr. Burrito Food Truck open for food service
5pm – 7:45pm ~ FAbled Popcorn Company opcorn and ce ream
5pm – 7:45pm ~ Christiani’s with lcohol and non-alcohol drinks
6pm -8pm ~ Rhythmic Rewind Band performance
Concert Tickets (available at the door):
Iowa Arboretum & Gardens Members: $10
Non-members: $15
Children 12 and under: FREE
Before and during the concert, enjoy everything the gardens have to offer! The Main Campus, Trial Gardens, Children’s Garden, and Butterfly Garden will be open for exploring, playing, and strolling.
Adele & Dean Bowden Treehouse Village will be open until 6:00 PM on concert days. Admission is $5 per child with the purchase of a Tunes in the Trees concert ticket.
Don’t forget your lawn chairs and settle in for a relaxing summer evening filled with great music, beautiful gardens, and family fun!
DO NOT BRING: Carry-in alcohol, smokes or vapes. Thank you!
We can’t wait to see you out here!

Trial Program Field Day
2026-08-08 10:00 - 16:00
YOU ARE INVITED! Join the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens Trial Program for their third annual Field Day! The Trial Garden will be open from 10am to 4pm with special programs all day, information listed below. Pre-registration is required, please RSVP by August 1, 2026.

RSVP HERE

Participate in evaluating perennials and shrubs in the trial garden. Walk the garden to check out soon to be available varieties and let us know your favorites! Evaluation generally takes around 25-30 minutes.
Details: Members of the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens gain free admission to the grounds and event. American Horticultural Society (AHS) Garden Network Program (GNP) members receive complimentary general admission and admission to event for those listed on the card only. Museums for All admission guests must show their SNAP or WIC card and photo ID in order to receive tickets. Please note that attendees will need to purchase their own general admission tickets, which include access to the main campus and Treehouse Village.*Golf cart service is available for persons needing assistance.
Background: Due to the unique climate in Central Iowa, the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens established an ornamental trial garden for the categories of herbaceous perennials and shrubs in the Spring of 2023. This public-facing trial garden provides beauty, education, and outreach to the people of Iowa in a form viewable to the public, allowing for year-round visibility and observation of these plants. The Public Evaluation Day helps us in several ways. First, we get to hear from you, the consumer, about what plants you want in your garden. Second, we expose the Central Iowa public to the breadth of plants that are available to you while testing their long-term performance. Help us help you garden better!

Learn more about the trial program here

Program:
Adapting Gardens for a Changing Climate: Building Biodiversity Through Plant Diversity – David McKinney, Curator of Collections and Grounds, Iowa Arboretum & Gardens
Over the past century, our cities and suburbs and rural areas have been transformed, leaving few landscapes that resemble their original habitats. True ecological restoration is often out of reach—and climate change is making it even harder. As native plants bloom earlier or for shorter periods, critical gaps in nectar and habitat threaten the pollinators and wildlife that depend on them.
Yet there is hope. Join us for an engaging lecture on how diverse plant selections can build stronger, more resilient urban ecosystems. Drawing on 30 years of phenological data and more, we’ll explore how climate change affects native plants’ ability to support pollinators and identify additional criteria—beyond native vs non-native—for evaluating a plant’s ecological value. We’ll review climate-adaptive midwestern native species and explore how expanding native ranges, along with thoughtfully adding select non-natives, can fill ecological gaps and enhance biodiversity in urban environments.
The talk will also address emerging pest threats, highlighting why plant diversity is essential to the health of our urban and suburban landscapes. You’ll gain practical strategies on adapting to shifting plant ranges, choosing species with real ecological benefits, and creating gardens that sustain pollinators and wildlife in a changing climate.

KIDS CLIMB Tree Climbing Event
2026-08-09 10:00 - 12:00
Sunday August 9, 2026 – Join us from 10:00am-12:00pm for safe tree climbing with the Iowa Arborist Association! All equipment (helmet, harness, etc.) is provided. FREE with paid admission. Members are always FREE!

TUNES IN THE TREES
2026-08-11 17:00 - 20:00
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026 5pm-8pm ~ Join us for this family friendly outdoor concert event featuring THE NADAS! Food trucks open at 5 pm. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blanket, the kids, your neighbors and the family dog! Lawn activities for the kids!
*On rainy or very hot days, concerts will be moved inside.

Food Truck 5:00–7:45 PM
Fabled Ice Cream & Popcorn 5:00–7:45 PM
Christiani’s with Alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks 5:00–7:45 PM
Music by The Nadas from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Concert Tickets (available at the door):
Iowa Arboretum & Gardens Members: $10
Non-members: $15
Children 12 and under: FREE
The Main Campus, Trial Gardens, Children’s Garden, and Butterfly Garden will be open for exploring, playing, and strolling.
Dean and Adele Bowden Treehouse Village will be open until 6:00 PM on concert days. Admission is $5 per child with the purchase of a Tunes in the Trees concert ticket (members’ children are free).
Don’t forget your lawn chairs and settle in for a relaxing summer evening filled with great music, beautiful gardens, and family fun!

Iowa Young Birders Program
2026-08-23 13:00 - 15:00
Iowa Young Birders staff will help children discover the joys of birding! They will explore good bird habitat, learn how to find and observe birds, and learn identification techniques. Register through iowayoungbirders.org

TUNES IN THE TREES
2026-09-08 17:00 - 20:00
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 5 pm-8 pm ~ Join us for this family-friendly outdoor concert event featuring FAT TUESDAY & THE GREASEFIRE HORNS! Food trucks open at 5 pm. Treehouse Village Playtime until 6 pm ($5 per person/free for Members). Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blanket, the kids, your neighbors, and the family dog! NEW THIS YEAR: Lawn activities for the kids!
* On rainy or very hot days, concerts will be moved inside.

Food Truck 5:00–7:45 PM
Fabled Ice Cream & Popcorn 5:00–7:45 PM
Christiani’s with Alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks 5:00–7:45 PM
Music by FAT TUESDAY & THE GREASEFIRE HORNS from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Concert Tickets (available at the door):
Iowa Arboretum & Gardens Members: $10
Non-members: $15
Children 12 and under: FREE
The Main Campus, Trial Gardens, Children’s Garden, and Butterfly Garden will be open for exploring, playing, and strolling.
Dean and Adele Bowden Treehouse Village will be open until 6:00 PM on concert days. Admission is $5 per child with the purchase of a Tunes in the Trees concert ticket (members’ children are free).
Don’t forget your lawn chairs and settle in for a relaxing summer evening filled with great music, beautiful gardens, and family fun!
