Rose Garden & Trial Beds

Welcome to one of The Great Lakes Bay Region’s premier rose gardens; highlighting All American Rose Selection roses, hardy shrub roses, and species roses. The Rose Garden is home to 389 rose bushes made up of 345 different varieties. A wonderful team of dedicated volunteers helps to care for the roses throughout the year.    

While walking through the Rose Garden, you will also find the Trial Beds. Herbert Dow had a passion for experimenting with plant varieties. After recording his findings, he would often send reports to Universities and Agriculture Experiment Stations across the country. Research continues to be an important focus for the Dow Gardens team. The trial beds in this area provide a space for our horticulturists to test which perennials and annuals will do best under local growing conditions. An evaluation is prepared on an annual basis to assist local homeowners and landscapers in finding varieties best suited for Central Michigan. Scores are calculated throughout the summer and plants are rated based on their vigor, profusion of bloom, uniformity of growth, and disease and insect resistance. The annual evaluations can be found on our website at www.dowgardens.org.