Public Gardens

Nestled among the fields and rivers of western Minnesota, the West Central Research and Outreach Center's (WCROC) Horticulture Display Garden offers an educational and inspirational experience for people of all ages. Our public gardens feature a wide array of flowers, plants and vegetables in a beautifully landscaped display. The Horticulture Display Garden was established with generous support from donors who wanted to provide a beautiful venue to demonstrate and display the WCROC's horticulture research.

The Horticulture Display Garden was voted as the Best Public Display Garden in MN by WCCO News viewers in 2015.

Plan your Visit

The Garden is open from dawn till dusk during the growing season. Admission is free.

Signs and tags provide plant identification throughout the gardens.

The garden is the perfect place for a picnic or family outing. You're welcome to use our picnic tables, park benches or gazebo, or to spread a blanket on the grass. Our garden is handicap accessible and has walking paths throughout. While you're exploring our horticulture areas, consider learning about other types of research happening at the WCROC.

Map and directions to the Horticulture Display Garden.

Explore with Us

The garden showcases hundreds of annual flowers each year, a variety of container plantings, perennials, native plantings, ornamental grasses, hostas and much more. The garden is also an All-America Selections (AAS) Display Garden, offering the public an opportunity to view the newest AAS flower and vegetable winners. More information can be found on our gardens and collections page.

Plant a Seed for the Future

The Horticulture Display Garden relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to help the garden grow. We have an exciting vision for future expansion and enhancement as part of our Horticulture Display Garden Master Plan, but we need your help to make it happen.

  • Become a Friend of the Garden - an annual membership of $50 or more makes you a Friend of the Garden. Friends receive newsletters, updates on events and invitations to donor events.
  • Give to the Garden - gifts of all sizes are gratefully accepted. Consider a gift in honor or memory of someone special in your life.
  • Become a Garden Volunteer - Our gardens wouldn't be what they are without the devoted help from our volunteers, and we always have room for more. Whether it's providing garden care, picking fruit, or using your handyman skills, we need you!

Contact Us

If you need additional information to plan your visit to the Horticulture Display Garden, contact the West Central Research and Outreach Center at 320-589-1711.