Trial Gardens

The Trial Gardens are located on the lakeside of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms. They are open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Trial Gardens were commissioned in 1952 by the nascent Grosse Pointe Garden Center. The wheel-shaped design was created by landscape architect Eleanor Roche as test gardens for new varieties of annuals and bulbs. Nine perimeter and four inner plots emanate from an 18th-century granite millstone from the former Windmill Pointe gristmill, donated by George Lauhoff.

Today eight perimeter plots are planted and maintained by local garden clubs in an annual competition. The largest plot is managed by the Garden Center as a victory garden. The four inner plots are dedicated as herb gardens representing culinary, fragrance, medicinal, and wedding themes. They are designed, planted, and maintained by the Herb Society of America, Grosse Pointe Unit.

Trial Gardens Competition: Each year the Garden Center invites eight local garden clubs to take part in their annual judged competition. Participating clubs must create and maintain their designs according to an annual theme selected by the previous year’s first-place winner. Our 2026 theme chosen by Grosse Pointe Farm & Garden is 250th Anniversary of our Nation.

Competition Judges: Our judges chosen to evaluate the gardens for 2025 were: Helen Bai, Grosse Pointe Shores Beautification Commission, Barry Burton, landscape designer, and current project manager for city of Detroit General Services Department, developing green space beautification for city parks, etc.  Sandra Richards, former head of MSU Macomb County Extension Master Gardener program.

Annual Awards Tea: Wednesday, September 16, 2026.  Members and non-members gathered together to enjoy this popular end-of-summer event. Attendees enjoyed a sumptuous tea followed by the announcement of the judges’ top three designs. Our featured speaker will be Alaine Bush who will give a presentation on “Lessons from our Victory Gardens.”

 

Trial Gardens 2025 Competition Award Winners

First Place: Grosse Pointe Farm & Garden

Second Place: Deeplands Garden Club 

Third Place: Grand Marais Garden Club.

 

 

Competition

Competition

2026 Competition Theme: “250th Anniversary of our Nation.” Selected by the 2025 First-place winner, Grosse Pointe Farm & Garden. 

Requirements: The primary colors should be red, white, and blue, in keeping with the patriotic theme.

        Plants:

  • Rose Bush
  • Ornamental grass
  • Native plant
  • Variety of annuals

        Other features:

  • Path (any type)
  • Water source
  • American flag

Judging weeks: June 22 – 26, July 27 – 31, August 24 – 28, 2026.

Garden Clubs Design Descriptions and Plant Lists: 

Herb Gardens

The four herb gardens form the inner circle of the wheel-shaped design and represent Culinary, Medicinal, Fragrant, and Wedding herbs. These plots also change each year and are tended by members of the Herb Society of America – Grosse Pointe Unit.