The Plant Trials Program is a no-cost testing facility.  We only ask that you send enough (URC, plugs, etc.) for us to make 2 replications of the test. 

Our trial program is funded by voluntary contributions of breeders, suppliers, growers, and the local horticulture industry. 

We take data yearly on over 3,000 entries.  These include annuals, perennials, tropicals, bulbs, shrubs & trees.  All data is downloadable by you in Excel Spreadsheet format.

We have over 2 acres of test site, and an additional 66 acres of display garden that I design.  Also, we have a "secure" trial site that only my technician and myself have access to for trialing pre-released materials for breeders.

We consider the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden to have the largest outdoor floral display of any garden in the southwest of the US.  I plant over 2.9 million bedding plants per year, and 1/2 million bulbs seasonally.  400,000 visitors per year visit our garden and my plant trials website sees over 15,000 visitors per year.

We are the premier site for heat tolerance and extreme climate plant testing in the US. On average we get over 60 days over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, our night temperatures are seldom below 85 during the summer, we experience severe floods and droughts.  We have alkaline clay soil in the pH of 8.5 to 9.5 ( all gardens here are done in heavily amended soils)

Data is taken weekly on all trial plants (other than trees/shrubs which are taken quarterly)

Annuals are tested a minimum of 2 years before promotion, and perennials are tested for 3

Yearly we host a industry only field day for the prior years results.  On average we have over 500 growers, landscapers, architects, breeders etc. in attendance.

Over 100 articles and e-blasts are sent yearly to promote the plants we test. Our motto is "it's not good to test it if we don't help sell it!"  Any photos, data, spreadsheets, quotes, etc. that we produce are free for you to use to promote your product. 

Winners of our trial program may be awarded our "FlameProof Award" for plants that can really take the heat, or our "Arboretum Approved" Award for any plant or product that we believe has merit in our local.

At the end of each trial season you will be emailed the results of all your material in an Excel spreadsheet.  Also, you will be able to view all other trials current & historic on our website in Excel format.  Pictures are available of your material upon request.  All articles, information and results are yours to use and report as you would like.