In north Texas we have many environmental challenges that make selecting the “right” plants crucial to successful gardening.  Although most catalogs and books give good descriptions about a plant’s requirements, many of these descriptions are based on growing experience in northern states.  Here in Dallas, we have weather conditions that force us to choose plants that have extra fortitude.  Our winters can be mild, but we may experience sudden sharp drops in temperature; plants must tolerate periods of either too much rain, or no rain at all; and no one can forget about our extreme temperature conditions in the summer.  We ask a lot of our ornamental plants!

The Trial Gardens at the Dallas Arboretum were created for the purpose of expanding our research efforts and providing information to the public. The main focus of the plant testing program is to grow and evaluate many different plants in the drastic climate of the Metroplex and North Central Texas, and develop new plant sections. Information generated from these trials is provided to commercial plant producers, retailers and home gardeners.

Because the trial garden is always open to the public for viewing, it offers new visibility for plant selections currently on the market and those soon to be available. Growers, retailers and home gardeners can visit the trial garden and obtain valuable information on many different plants and how they perform in our climate.

In addition to providing information to the Arboretum staff, its guests and the commercial industry, we also work in cooperation with educational institutions. Plant trials are conducted in conjunction with Texas A&M University and Texas CEMAP (Coordinated Education & Marketing Assistance Program).

For more information visit our trial garden website at www.DallasPlantTrials.org.

Click here to read an article about the Dallas Arboretum trail gardens.