Welcome to the new web site for The Rutgers Gardens!  If the Rutgers Gardens is new to you or, you have not visited us of late, please look through our pages and come for a visit.  The Rutgers Gardens is a world of flowering trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials that is located right in the heart of New Jersey on the G.H. Cook Campus at Rutgers University.   Encompassing over 50 acres, the gardens offer plants, events, and opportunities for all.  For years the gardens have been called one of the best-kept secrets in New Jersey, a statement that we will soon change.

The Rutgers Gardens has historically served as an outdoor classroom for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and as the site of several plant breeding programs.  Design and planting of the Rutgers Gardens was begun in the 1930's with the Shrub and Rhododendron Garden.  It continued in the 1950's with the planting of one of the largest collections of American Hollies in the United States, as well as the planting of the Evergreen Garden.  Under the guidance of Doctor Bruce Hamilton, the gardens developed a stronger volunteer program during the 1990's, introducing the concept of volunteer Adopt-a Plot for growing vegetables and annuals.

Having become the Director in August of 2005, I have the honor of building upon the gardens fine history and taking the gardens ever closer to its centennial.  What will the future for the Rutgers Gardens bring as it approaches this centennial?

It is important that the Rutgers Gardens maintains and furthers its historical role with the faculty and administration of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.  The school is noted for promoting strong and engaging student/faculty interactions, and it is crucial for the gardens to continue its role in these interactions.  The gardens will also reach out and become more accessible to the other campuses of Rutgers University.   The gardens are committed to develop its interaction with the faculty and students both in the gardens proper and on the campuses throughout the University.

Traditionally, the Rutgers Gardens have been considered as a center for plant collections.  It can better serve the students and the public by demonstrating how plants can best be used in combination with other plants and garden structures.  New garden areas will be developed, which will highlight innovative methods of using hedges, and how some of the latest and 'coolest' plant introductions can be used in the garden.

A trials area will be developed.  Students (both old and young) are constantly asking what species or cultivars will do best in New Jersey.  I believe it is the role of the gardens to perform trials on some of the most popular garden plants.  The results of these trials will be available in the years to come on this web site for public review.

A new series of classes for adults and homeowners is taking shape.  Many adults are looking to gain more knowledge about plants and garden design.   What are the proper cultural requirements for my plants?  How are the plants best maintained and pruned?  How can the plants be propagated?   Our budding gardeners should not be ignored either.  We will start several pilot classes on gardening for children in 2006, which will be expanded in the years to come.

It is indeed exciting and busy times at the Rutgers Gardens.  I sincerely hope that you will come for a visit, and if you have already seen the gardens, come back to see our developments.  If you have any concerns or comments, please contact us.  We no longer wish to be one of the 'best kept secrets' in New Jersey.

Sincerely,

Bruce Crawford

 

Last Modified: 10/01/2007, rugardens@njaes.rutgers.edu.
©2008 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey