Second Place Winner

Boerner Botanical Gardens in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Category 3: Over 100,000 Visitors

The trial garden display at Boerner Botanical Gardens featured a distinctive STEAM Train built to reflect the 2025 AAS theme. Utilizing the long bed, the designer constructed a train with each “car” representing a different STEAM discipline, planted exclusively with past and present AAS Winners. The project incorporated a unique train engine and cow catcher built from scrap metal by an Ironworkers Local 8 member. Educational efforts included information cards linking plants to each STEAM concept for visiting school groups. The display proved highly popular, serving as a photo opportunity and educational focal point for both school children and general visitors, generating local news coverage and social media interest.