McCrory Gardens: A Hidden Gem in the Northern Plains

Take an insider’s look at the unique features of South Dakota’s largest botanical garden and arboretum

McCrory Gardens , founded in 1965 , features a 45 - acre arboretum and 25 landed estate of courtly garden located on the western boundary of the tall-grass prairie of the Northern Plains . It ’s filled with themed gardens and flora lifetime that can survive in our coarse climate .

Among the 40,000 annuals and perennial imbed each spring in the 25 - Akka formal garden , there are a few unique gardens to highlight that are McCrory Gardens icons . The first is the Cottage Garden , which features a repurposed 1950s overhaul station from Lake Preston , South Dakota , as the focal point of the quaint blank . A large gilded weeping willow ( Salix alba‘Tristis ’ , geographical zone 4–8 ) is a visitant dearie and provide the breathing in for the name of my firstborn child , Willow .

Another garden with several hidden gems is the 25,000 - square - foot Rock Garden , which evergreens call house . Upright weeping Norway spruce ( Picea abies‘Pendula Major ’ , zone 3–7 ) and alpine plants grow among a falls and dwarf conifer collection . If you explore deeply enough , you ’ll even come across cacti like the easterly prickly pear ( Opuntia humifusa , zone 4–8 ) and succulents like hardy hens and chicks ( Sempervivumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) claim various corner and crannies .

If shrubs and Tree are more of your thing , take a amble through the 45 - acre South Dakota State Arboretum . Showcasing the many unlike genus and species of woody plant capable of survive in the Northern Plains , the arboretum also serves as a inquiry and development site for new diversity . Among the thousands of trees and shrubs in the arboretum are a few species unique to the part . One of my favorite is Manchurian striped maple ( Acer tegmentosum , Zones 4–8 ) on the north side of our 3 - acre maple collection . As the name implies , this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s alone bark add interest throughout the twelvemonth , and when combined with its large shade leaves create a pure little tree to have in a hosta ( Hostaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) garden .

A rarely seen tree in the Northern Plains due to our Zone 4 or cold winters , Chinese wingnut ( Pterocarya stenoptera , Zones 6–8 ) is another unique tree that is currently under observation in the botanical garden for possible growing and handout to tote up diversity to our plant palette .

Begun in summer 2020 , the botanical garden is the young legion site for the American Rose Trials for Sustainability ( A.R.T.S ) program , which identifies through regional testing and evaluation under minimum input conditions the audacious and most resilient roseate cultivars to use in our landscape . This is a must - see for any rose enthusiast . Look for a future regional reputation in which I profile some of the top - perform plants at McCrory ’s other plant trials .

No matter what areas of interestingness you have , McCrory Gardens has something to offer every guest . Its mission is to plug into people and plants through education , uncovering , research , and enjoyment of the natural and built landscape . Find out more atMcCroryGardens.com .

— Chris Schlenker is the head gardener of McCrory Gardens at South Dakota State University in Brookings , South Dakota .

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