What is a Dahlia Trial Garden?
Trial Garden Overview
The American Dahlia Society sponsors Trial Gardens across North America to provide a place for hybridizers to have their new dahlia cultivars evaluated. The Trial Gardens are generally located in parks or gardens where the public can visit and watch the dahlias grow and bloom. The ADS provides detailed specifications for the practices used to grow the dahlias, and for evaluating the dahlias. Annually, the American Dahlia Society issues several awards to the best of the season across all Trial Garden cultivators ADS Awards (to blooms).
ADS Eastern Trial Garden
Mid Island Dahlia Society maintains the ADS Eastern Trial Garden at Eisenhower Park,East Meadow, NY.
If you wish to enter a cultivar in the Eastern Trial Gardens, you must make reservations with the Trial Garden Director.
Prior to submitting an entry, the applicant should inquire whether space remains available in the Trial Garden. If so, a reservation will be acknowledged by the Director, Barry Oster.
Each entry should be accompanied by a duly completed ADS application, photo of the hybrid, 3 tubers with eyes, and a $15 check made payable to Mid Island Dahlia Society.
All the foregoing should be sent to
Barry Oster, ETG Director
12 Florence St.
Great Neck, NY 11023
Entries must be received between April 1 and April 15th.
During the 2026 season, thirty one cultivars were successfully judged.
American Dahlia Society Trial Garden information.