At the Arboretum, we encourage you to truly live outdoors and to take advantage of the beautiful public green space we have in the greater Cedar Valley. Green Space ... Your Place!

The gardens and grounds are made possible by the hard work and dedication of volunteers throughout the Cedar Valley. Until recent years, To this day, volunteers are heavily involved in all aspects of the Arboretum.  If you would like to learn how to get involved at the Arboretum, please click here.

With 72 acres, there is a little bit of everything!  When you visit, you will find a variety of annual, perennial and shrub gardens.  Garden areas include:

Arrival Gardens
Varied in texture and form, the Arrival Gardens stand as a welcome to visitors. The planting showcases trees and shrubs suitable for visitors’ home landscape.

Labyrinth
The classic labyrinth design provides a perfect setting for quiet reflection.

Rose Garden
Filled with rose varieties hardy to Northeast Iowa, the Rose Garden provides the perfect backdrop for weddings and celebrations. The garden also boasts a variety of companion plants for spring to fall seasonal interest.

Community Gardens
Each 10 by 10-foot display bed showcases the creativity and diversity of our Cedar Valley community. The beds are adopted by community members who plant and nurture their plots throughout the season.

Display Gardens
Filled with a variety of color, form, and texture, the Display Gardens enchant visitors throughout spring, summer and fall.

Enabling Gardens
Situated between the Community and Display Gardens, the Enabling Garden provides shade and rest from the warm summer days. The flower beds are raised for all visitors to enjoy.

Children's Gardens
This whimsical garden enchants both children and adults alike with a Railway Garden, Dinosaur Dig, Garden Prairie, Dwarf Conifers, and Peek-a-Boo Forest.

Hosta Garden
Nestled under a grove of Locust trees, the Hosta Garden provides shade on a warm day and showcases the array of sizes and color variations of the Hosta family.

Walking Path & Prairie
Enjoy walking through 15 acres of sun-drenched prairie that encompasses a great diversity of native forbs and grasses. A one-mile walking path that wanders through the Prairie enables visitors to enjoy all its beauty.

Head House & Education Center
Located on the north end of the parking lot, the Head House serves as volunteer central and as the summer office to Director of Horticulture. Adjacent to the Children’s Garden, the Education Center hosts all children’s programming as well as Arboretum summer events. The building and gardens can also be rented for private events and parties.