Think Green: Donate Extra Plants to the 2026 Spring Perennial Divide

Des Moines, Iowa - Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - Des Moines Parks and Recreation invites residents to participate in the 2026 Spring Perennial Divide, a citywide initiative encouraging the donation of garden plants to enhance landscaping at public spaces throughout the community.

Think green, purple, pink, yellow, and all the colors of your garden! Gardeners with extra plants or space to spare are encouraged to contribute to this annual program, which turns personal garden surplus into a shared resource. This program beautifies and benefits all in our communities...people and pollinators alike.

All donated plants will be distributed to local schools, nonprofits, community centers, neighborhood associations, and public parks to ensure the entire city can bloom.

Plant Donation Drop-off:
City of Des Moines Greenhouse - 1553 Maury Street
Friday, May 15: 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

What to Donate:
Perennial flowers, bulbs, ground covers, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and annuals - all plant types and quantities are welcome! No donation is too small. Donors are kindly asked to label each plant with:

• Plant type
• Sunlight needs
• Height
• Flower color (if applicable)

Contact
Ally MacLean
Communications Specialist II, City Manager's Office
(515) 689-8819
[email protected]

About the City of Des Moines
The City of Des Moines is Iowa's capital, and our 17 departments serve more than 214,000 residents and 46 neighborhood associations. Des Moines is a leader in sustainability and provides its residents with vibrant neighborhoods, an active downtown, and abundant leisure opportunities.

Des Moines continuously improves neighborhoods, public safety, and quality of life by offering exceptional city services and reliable infrastructure while fostering an involved and compassionate community for all who visit and live there. Visit DSM.city, Facebook, and Twitter for more information.