Be part of grassroots community greening efforts!

Flowering Annuals Available for Community Groups

All Des Moines neighborhood associations are being asked to plan their flower gardens NOW for next summer. Requests for free plants from the Parks and Recreation Department are due October 30th. Each year the Des Moines Park and Recreation Department’s greenhouse grows over 250,000 flowering annuals to distribute to community groups to beautify public spaces such as medians, street corners, parkways, and land owned by nonprofits including schools within the city limits of Des Moines. Plants ordered by October 30th will be scheduled for pick-up Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the City’s greenhouses located at 2501 Maury Street.

Individuals or groups interested in beautifying public spaces should contact their neighborhood association to place an order. To find out what neighborhood association a resident belongs to, call the City Information Center at 283-4500 or visit www.dmgov.org click on “Residents” then on “Neighborhoods.” If the neighborhood association doesn't participate in this program, organizations can order directly from the Parks Department.

The Parks staff is available to assist residents in properly placing garden beds and may be able to assist with bed preparation for larger plots. Any flower bed to be planted on land not owned or maintained by the City of Des Moines, such as schools or community centers, do not need park staff approval of their location. For more information, contact Julie Stundins, flowers@dmgov.org or 515-248-6384.

Forms for neighborhood associations:

• Introduction to neighborhood leaders
• Plant Order Form (PDF)