For the third year in a row Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is participating in the All-American Garden Landscape Design Contest! The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory received a third place award in 2012 and we are hoping that our 2014 garden display will once again be recognized.

Our display is located in front of the Visitor Center and surround the “Welcome” sign.

Some of the flowers displayed include:

Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’

Salvia ‘Summer Jewel Red’

Zinnia ‘Double Zahara Fire’

Zinnia “Profusion Double Hot Cherry’

What is an AAS Display Garden?

An AAS Display Garden provides the public an opportunity to view the newest AAS winners in an attractive well-maintained setting. Additionally, Display Gardens can provide educational programs about the AAS trialing and award process during “open house” or “field day” events during their peak growing seasons. If they choose, Display Gardens can participate in a Landscape Design contest using AAS Winners.

A typical Display Garden is a public botanic garden or arboretum, a municipality, a garden retailer, a university garden and many others.The network of nearly 200 dedicated AAS gardens includes 55 locations that have served for 25 years or longer. The earliest AAS Display Garden, Norseco, Inc. of Quebec Canada became an AAS garden in 1962.