Plant Trials in Iowa

Launched in the Spring of 2023 to address a shortage of localized horticultural data, the trial program for herbaceous perennials and shrubs at the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens has now completed four active seasons. This public-facing trial garden provides beauty, education, and outreach to the people of Iowa in a form viewable to the public, allowing for year-round visibility and observation of these plants.

The purpose of this garden is to evaluate the long-term performance of perennial and shrub varieties and report the findings to the introducing entity, the horticulture industry, and the public to help give insight and make educated recommendations for plant varieties to be grown in Iowa.

Most people outside of the Midwest would characterize the climate and weather in Iowa as “the dream” in Zone 5. However, the growing conditions can include extreme winds, periods of heavy rainfall, and intense thunderstorms. Winter brings bitter blizzards, weeks with temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit, and months of snow sitting on crowns of plants. Recently, extreme conditions hit Central Iowa, particularly drought, months without rainfall, and a devastating derecho that left many without trees.