All-America Selections Garden
All-America Selections (AAS) is an independent agency that has been testing seed-grown plants for superiority since 1932. This garden area features a collection of annuals, vegetables, and even a few perennials—all grown from seed—that have been rigorously tested and released by the AAS as the best in their categories. Whether its merits are early bloom or harvest, disease or pest tolerance, novel colors or forms, yield, or overall great performance, the AAS Winner label is like a stamp of approval.
Art Rudolph Sun and Shade Garden
Arthur Rudolph was a beloved sales representative from Monrovia Nursery. This garden, named for him, features the Lillian Koelsch gazebo, a patio, and a bubbling urn water feature. It also highlights plants that will provide color and interest in a part-sun and part-shade setting, as is typical of many home gardens. Gardeners can gain inspiration from the many lovely monocots and native perennials.
Art Rudolph Sun and Shade Garden
Art Rudolph Sun and Shade Garden
Asian Hillside Garden
During the early 1960s, the sloping woodland between Cook’s Market and the Bamboo Groove saw the planting of a number of Kurume Azaleas (Rhododendron Kurume hybrids) and Chinese Dogwoods (Cornus kousa). It was only logical to build upon the Asian heritage of these plantings, adding numerous Asian Magnolias, Japanese Mahonia (Mahonia japonica), species of clumping bamboo (Fargesia rufa and F. robusta) and sweeps of herbaceous plant material planted throughout. Today, the hillside features a number of trails, as well, laid out and constructed through various Eagle Scout projects.
Bamboo Grove
Initially planted as a wind screen for honeybee colonies in the 1940's, this aggressive form of hardy, evergreen bamboo (Phyllostachys nuda) now forms a large grove nearly 2 acres in size. Each season, new culms grow to over 30 feet in just weeks! The grove features a winding path and a foot bridge over a small stream. Throughout the seasons, this grove never fails to transfix visitors and has become a popular spot for photography.
Cook’s Market Green Roof
The green roof atop Cook’s Market—home of Rutgers Gardens Farmers Market—features interlocking sweeps of mostly native plants, such as Little Blue Stem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida), and Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum). These plants provide food and habitat for native pollinators, while adding a burst of color at the Gardens’ entrance. Non-natives, such as Catnip and Autumn Moor Grass are included to ensure long periods of color. The green roof also reduces reflected heat during the summer and slows stormwater runoff, reducing damage to streams and creeks.
Donald B. Lacey Display Garden
Named for the extension specialist who helped convert a massive bed of irises into a demonstration garden of annuals for the home landscape in 1964. This garden has grown into an incredible display of unusual and colorful annuals, tropicals, herbs, and vegetables. Surrounded by perennial borders and arranged in a formal pattern around a central pond, the design changes yearly, and is always a big attraction for visitors and photographers.
Donald B. Lacey Display Garden
Donald B. Lacey Display Garden
Ella Quimby Water Conservation Terrace Garden
Located at the entrance to the Evergreen Garden, these terraces demonstrate a variety of drought-tolerant plants. Endowed by Josephine Nicholson in the memory of her mother, Ella B. Quimby, this garden features St. John’s Wort (Hypericum 'Hidcote'), Leadplant, New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), several species of Juniper, Stonecrop (Hylotelephium x ‘Autumn Joy’), and various Barberry plantings.
Helyar Woods
Around 60 acres, Helyar Woods is named for a professor and longtime proponent of woodlands and hiking, Frank G. Helyar, who was also director of various programs at the College of Agriculture from 1917 to 1953. Helyar Woods is composed mostly of old-growth beech, birch, maple and oak trees. The woodland includes several springs, a stream, and an old quarry near Westons Mill Pond.
Helyar Woods
Helyar Woods
Holly Collection
One of the largest collections of American Hollies in the United States, some of the mature specimens date back to the 1930s. Originally established for evaluation and called the "Holly Orchard," the large trees now stand as a testament to the decades-long breeding program that arose from it. In addition to American Hollies (Ilex opaca), the collection includes Madeira (I. perado), English (I. aquifolium), Japanese (I. crenata), Chinese (I. cornuta), and Inkberry Hollies (I. glabra), as well as numerous hybrids.
Holly Collection
Holly Collection
Edwin J. and Ida M. Otken Memorial Garden
Perhaps most recognized for the iconic oversized green Adirondack chairs in the center, the Otken Memorial Garden features a mixed border of shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses, along with walking paths. The chairs add not only a sculptural quality to this peaceful garden, but are also a popular photo spot, delighting children and adults alike.
Ornamental Tree Collection
Ornamental or "small" trees are ideal for the average residential landscape, and a number of the unusual varieties here have reached a size and maturity not often seen in New Jersey gardens. Among our collection you will find the state's largest Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum), a NJ State Champion Two-Winged Silverbell (Halesia diptera), a large and elegant Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica), India Quassia (Picrasma ailanthoides), and a particularly fine Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa ssp. chinensis).
Pollinator Garden
The Pollinator Garden is mindful of the specialized relationship between alluring native plants, water sources, responsible horticultural practices, and the many diverse pollinators that these plants support. Almost 90% of plant species require the help of pollinators in order to set seed, and in exchange, the plants provide food, shelter, and migratory sites. Features Bee Balm (Monarda), Milkweed (Asclepias), Ironweed (Vernonia), Cup Flower (Silphium), Sumac (Rhus), Viburnum, and more.
Pollinator Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
The main objective of a rain garden is to reduce stormwater runoff from impermeable surfaces, combat erosion and sedimentation of local streams and rivers, and to help remove pollutants in the water. Our intention was to design a garden with all of these positive environmental aspects and which remained attractive throughout the year, with minimal maintenance. Features a small waterfall, stepping stones, and plantings of sedges and irises.
Rain Garden
Rain Garden
![pink and lavender flowering shrubs](https://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Rhododendron-Garden-May-12-2016-3-scaled.jpg "Begun in the 1930s, this garden "community" integrates small trees, a variety of shrubs (focusing on <i>Rhododendrons</i>), and groundcovers. Consequently, the wide variety of shrubs entertain visitors from February through August, while also featuring a number of mature and unique trees, including a Dove Tree (<i>Davidia involucrata</i>), Dawn Redwood (<i>Metasequoia glyptostroboides</i>) and Kousa Dogwoods (<i>Cornus kousa</i>).")
Rhododendron and Azalea Garden
Begun in the 1930s, this garden "community" integrates small trees, a variety of shrubs (focusing on Rhododendrons), and groundcovers. Consequently, the wide variety of shrubs entertain visitors from February through August, while also featuring a number of mature and unique trees, including a Dove Tree (Davidia involucrata), Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and Kousa Dogwoods (Cornus kousa).
Roy H. DeBoer Evergreen Garden
Roy DeBoer, former Chairman of the Landscape Architecture Department, designed this area in 1958. The plants are grouped by genus, featuring wonderful examples of Weeping White Pine, Sargent's Weeping Hemlock, and a host of Cedars, Pines, Spruces and Firs. The great lawn is a popular site for wedding ceremonies and events hosted by Rutgers Gardens, as well as the location of our centennial bench.
Roy H. DeBoer Evergreen Garden
Roy H. DeBoer Evergreen Garden
Shade Tree Collection
A large number of mature shade trees, including Linden (Tilia), Buckeye (Aesculus), Elm (Ulmus), and Beech (Fagus), can be found in this collection. Look for the less common specimens such as Bee Bee Tree (Tetradium daniellii), Dayimo Oak (Quercus dentata) and Chinese Toon Tree (Cedrella chinensis).
![purple lilacs over wooden bench](https://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1-Shrub-Garden-6-scaled.jpg "Regarded as our "original collection," the oldest section contains many hybrid and species lilacs planted in 1927. Significantly expanded from the late 1930s through the early 50s by Ben Blackburn, a Rutgers professor, some of the highlights include Vernal Witchhazel (<i>Hamamelis vernalis</i>), Winterhazel (<i>Corylopsis spicata</i>), Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle (<i>Diervilla lonicera</i>), Ninebark <i>(Physocarpus opulifolius</i>), and Alabama Snow Wreath (<i>Neviusia alabamensis</i>). Perhaps the most prominent feature is a very large, beautiful Kobus Magnolia (<i>Magnolia kobus</i>), affectionately known to many as "Larry."")
Shrub Garden
Regarded as our "original collection," the oldest section contains many hybrid and species lilacs planted in 1927. Significantly expanded from the late 1930s through the early 50s by Ben Blackburn, a Rutgers professor, some of the highlights include Vernal Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis), Winterhazel (Corylopsis spicata), Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera), Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), and Alabama Snow Wreath (Neviusia alabamensis). Perhaps the most prominent feature is a very large, beautiful Kobus Magnolia (Magnolia kobus), affectionately known to many as "Larry."
Succulent Garden
The succulent garden may be small in size, but it is rich in character! While it includes hardy Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa) and a creeping stonecrop called Sedum sexangulare, most of the tender display is installed each spring, but overwintered in our greenhouses. During the growing season, you’ll find many interesting varieties of Aeonium, Agave, Aloe, Crassula, Echevaria, Euphorbia, Haworthia, Kalanchoe, Sansevieria and more, arranged in different unique configurations and containers each year.