The month of April marks the end of a long winter and the birth of a new spring, and along with it, Reiman Gardens’ Spring Enchantment. The month-long event takes place throughout all of April and features an array of exciting activities for visitors and their pets to take part in.

“I think Spring Enchantment is just an opportunity to really embrace that newness of spring,” Patty Johnston, Reiman Gardens events assistant, said. “I think we go through a long winter and you kind of forget how beautiful everything can be because it’s been so dark and drab for so long. So I think spring enchantment is just that kind of a celebration of how enchanting nature really is and all the beauty that it provides for us.”

In addition to a spring tulip display, which will continually change throughout the month, Reiman Gardens created a Creature Homes and Fairy Doors scavenger hunt. Throughout the garden, 31 fairy homes have been placed for visitors to search for and discover. A full checklist of the fairy homes can be found at the front entrance kiosk. 

Rovers at Reiman

Returning for a second year, Rovers at Reiman is back for Spring Enchantment. Visitors are encouraged to bring their furry friends and walk throughout the gardens every Tuesday in April from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

“It’s a good opportunity for dogs to get to socialize with other dogs because a lot of times they don’t get to do that,” Reiman Gardens employee Mandy Miller said.

To facilitate a safe and enjoyable experience for both visitors and pets, color-coded ribbons are assigned to each dog as they enter the gate. Green ribbons represent that a dog is friendly and is okay to approach or pet. Yellow ribbons indicate that the owner is uncertain about how the dog might react to others and should be asked before approaching. A red ribbon indicates that the dog may be particularly anxious or aggressive, and interaction should be avoided. The cost of admission during Rovers at Reiman hours is $5 per dog.

Each dog will also receive a treat bag upon entry, courtesy of the local pet store Treats on a Leash, located in downtown Ames.

“Aside from seeing the cute dogs, I think it’s really fun to watch the owners,” Johnston said. “They’re always so happy to get to bring their dogs to something like this, and then the way they all interact with each other, it’s really fun to see.”.

Extended Bulb Hours

During its spring display, featuring over 50,000 tulips, hyacinths and other flowers, Reiman Gardens will implement its extended bulb hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the dates of April 18-20 and April 25-27. These extended visiting hours provide guests with the opportunity to view the garden’s tulips during peak bloom time. Regular admission rates still apply during these hours and the gift shop will remain open until 7:30 p.m.

“A lot of the bulbs are planted in a rotation so that even if you come through this week, and say, ‘Oh, they’re all blooming,’ there will be more blooming next week when you come through again, so they really keep that rotation,” Johnston said.

Mid Iowa Woodcarvers Show

Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the Mid Iowa Wood Carvers Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 20. The show will offer guests a chance to view live wood carving from professionals, contests and a hands-on lesson in whittling. The event will be free for all Iowa State students and Reiman Gardens members. All other guests will be required to pay the gardens’ normal admission price. No prior registration is required.

Educational Programs

The month of April at Reiman Gardens is packed with educational events and opportunities for visitors of all ages to participate in. Programs include those such as Yoga in the Gardens, Plant-A-Row for the Hungry and a floral design workshop.

Additional information about educational program schedules and other events can be found on Reiman Gardens’ website. Further questions can be directed to Reiman Gardens staff members by emailing [email protected] or by calling (515) 294-2710.

“It’s such a great opportunity to just get back in touch with the beauty of nature and it’s just a really nice way to say farewell to winter and welcome the warmer temperatures,” Johnston said. “I think it’s just a great opportunity to welcome in the season.”