Exploring the Test Garden: A Map and Guide to Its Diverse Spaces

A Walk Through the Test Garden

The Test Garden is a living showcase of horticultural variety, featuring over 20 distinct garden rooms and plant collections. Each area demonstrates different growing conditions, design styles, and plant palettes, offering inspiration for gardeners of all levels.

Garden Areas at a Glance

1. The plaza and fountain
2. The rose garden
3. The southwest terrace garden
4. The shade garden
5. The fragrant path
6. The dwarf conifer garden
7. The clay garden
8. The garden room
9. The meadow
10. The cutting garden
11. The perennial border
12. The shrub walk
13. The mixed border
14. The tool shed and storage area
15. The dwarf conifer and perennial garden
16. The hillside garden
17. The vegetable and herb garden
18. The arbor and daylily garden
19. The pond and cascade
20. The southwest terrace garden (second area)
21. The deck
22. The rock garden

Highlights of the Test Garden

Summer Flowers in the Test Garden bring vibrant color to the perennial border, mixed border, and rose garden. The fragrant path engages the senses with aromatic herbs and flowers, while the shade garden showcases texture and foliage contrasts. The vegetable and herb garden demonstrates productive, beautiful edible landscaping.

Water features like the pond and cascade add movement and sound, attracting wildlife. The rock garden and dwarf conifer collections display plants adapted to challenging conditions. Throughout, the garden illustrates principles of design, plant selection, and sustainable practices.

Whether you visit in person or explore virtually, the Test Garden offers a wealth of ideas to adapt to your own landscape.