Third Place Winner (a tie)

Noelridge Park Gardens, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Category 2: 10,001-100,000 Visitors

Commemorating America’s 250th birthday, volunteers at Noelridge Park Greenhouse and Gardens in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, unveiled their 2026 display, “Oh, GOODNESS!” The design explored how the evolution of American gardening reflects the nation’s diverse history, showcasing how plant development and human migration have intertwined over centuries.

The garden highlighted modern All-America Selections (AAS) winners in golden pots, contrasting them against wild and ancestral plant strains to demonstrate historical improvements in yield, beauty, and disease resistance. A red, white, and blue ribbon of blooms woven throughout the grounds provided a festive backdrop alongside historical quotes from founding gardener Thomas Jefferson.

Despite facing typical gardening setbacks—including hungry wildlife, unexpected herbicide issues, and record rainfall—the team persevered, bringing the resilient display to full bloom. The season culminated in a celebratory Open Garden event for local families. By connecting plant history with the everyday triumphs and trials familiar to all growers, the Noelridge Park display highlighted how human creativity, adaptability, and passion continue to nurture the goodness of gardening.