Our demonstration gardens proudly serve as an official All-America Selections (AAS) Display Garden, showcasing the finest new flowers and edible plants in North American horticulture.
photo by Kim Frey, Lancaster County Master Gardener
As an AAS Display Garden, we feature award-winning varieties recognized for outstanding performance in home gardens. Since 1932, All-America Selections has been the nation's most trusted independent testing organization, rigorously evaluating new plant introductions to ensure superior garden performance.
When you visit our gardens, you'll enjoy vibrant flowers and productive vegetables—while also experiencing the "best of the best" in plant breeding and garden innovation. As part of an elite network of nearly 200 AAS Display Gardens across North America, we are proud to present plants that represent the gold standard in quality, reliability, and performance.
All AAS varieties are clearly labeled with the variety name, QR code, and the AAS color logo. These plants can be found in the Butterfly Garden, Raised Beds Garden, and the Vegetable Garden.
What Is All-America Selections (AAS)?
Founded in 1932, All-America Selections (AAS) is the oldest and most respected independent testing organization for new flowers and edible plants in North America. Its mission is to identify superior new varieties through unbiased trials and to recommend only those that demonstrate exceptional garden performance.
How a Plant Becomes an AAS Winner
Before earning the AAS designation, each plant must demonstrate excellence through a rigorous evaluation process:
- Anonymous Trialing
New varieties are grown side-by-side with leading commercial varieties at multiple trial sites across North America. - Expert Evaluation
Volunteer horticulture professionals assess each entry over an entire growing season, without knowing the breeder or variety name. - Superior Performance
Only plants that show clear and measurable improvements—such as enhanced disease resistance, improved vigor, earlier harvests, or superior ornamental qualities—are selected as AAS Winners.
Open House Dates and Times for 2026
- Wednesday, July 8 at 6:00 PM
- Saturday, August 15 at 9:00 AM
- Saturday, September 12 at 9:00 AM
We invite you to join us for these family-friendly open house events, featuring guided garden tours, hands-on activities, and educational presentations by guest speakers. These programs are designed to be engaging and informative for visitors of all ages.
