The Minnesota Dahlia Society maintains the North Central Trial Garden at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. There are only eight trial gardens in North America, and they are all sponsored by the American Dahlia Society. The purpose of a trial garden is to provide a place for hybridizers to have their new dahlia cultivars evaluated. We are privileged to have the opportunity to grow and care for these potential new introductions right here in our own backyard. Every expert grower in our society has cut their teeth in this trial garden.   

 

Beginners and experts alike work side by side, spending time at the trial garden during the spring, summer, and fall. MDS does not have meetings during the summer months. Volunteering at the trial garden provides more hands-on experience and guidance than any meeting could give you. If you aren’t taking advantage of this opportunity, you are missing out!

​

Your help is needed to ensure that the North Central Trial Garden has a successful year! Tasks include weeding, tying, topping, noting the date of first bloom, disbudding, deadheading, and general grooming of the plants under the supervision and instruction of the Work Team Leader(s). 

BONUS: Entry to the Arb is free when you sign up using the link below. 

Check back in June when the Trial Garden is planted to sign up.

​

Articles:

Dahlias of Today: North Central Trial Garden 2023
Dahlias of Today: North Central Trial Garden 2022

Dahlias of Today: North Central Trial Garden 2021

Dahlias of Today: North Central Trial Garden 2020

Dahlias of Today: North Central Trial Garden 2019

Dahlias of Today: North Central Trial Garden 2018

Dahlias of Today: North Central Trial Garden 2017

Dahlias of Today: North Central Trial Garden 2016

​

Videos:

2023 North Central Trial Garden

​

​

​

​