Penn State Master Gardeners use trial gardens at North Park to test plants for hardiness

From spring through fall, visitors to North Park can experience the vibrant colors and bouquet of a wide variety of flowers, trees, bushes and plants.

Hundreds of cherry blossom trees bathe the park in shades of pink during spring, and blooming wildflowers and perennials are complemented with new annuals to enhance the landscape.

One of the most important gardens in the park is located near the semi-circular Veterans Memorial at the intersection of Wildwood and Ingomar Roads.

Known as the trial garden, the 1,800 square foot area is one of only three in the state. The others are located at Hershey Gardens and in Manheim, Lancaster County.

The trial and demonstration gardens are maintained in partnership with Allegheny County by a team of Penn State Extension Master Gardeners, who regularly conduct educational programs in the park.

“Each year, growers send us plants that aren’t for sale yet to evaluate,” said Brenna Wist, a Penn State Master Gardner who volunteers at the park. “We monitor things like how well the plant is flowering, how large it grows and whether it’s susceptible to disease.”

Wist said the information gathered is then provided to the growers.

“All the plants in the garden are labeled, so you may see what is planted this year at your local garden center in a year or two,” she said.

In addition to the trial garden, the raised beds at the base of the stone monument serve as a demonstration herb and basil garden and feature a number of rare varieties.

Several types of garlic are also planted in a demonstration garden along the roadside.

The Master Gardeners also operate a satellite demonstration garden in South Park and an edible teaching garden in Pittsburgh’s North Point Breeze neighborhood, said Glenn Bupp, who coordinates the program.

He said there are no prerequisites for participating in the program.

“We have people who join with no gardening experience and those who already know a great deal,” Bupp said. “We take people who are interested in using what they learn to help educate the community.”

Photos and information about activities, events and projects in North Park are posted throughout the year by the North Park Community of Friends group and the county website.