Second Place Winner

Lee College Horticulture Program, Huntsville, Texas

Category 1: 0-10,000 Visitors

Highlighting the restorative power of nature, a featured 2026 display garden brought “The Goodness of Gardening” to life through a multi-sensory landscape designed to nourish mind, body, and spirit. The garden showcased how thoughtful design fosters emotional well-being, ecological stewardship, and community connection.

Centering on wellness and self-sustainability, the layout integrated edible plants like Treviso basil alongside wildlife sanctuaries that support local biodiversity. Nectar-rich blooms, including SunGlobe coreopsis, Claire Orange rudbeckia, and Burning Embers celosia, provided essential food and habitat for songbirds, monarchs, and native pollinators.

The garden highlighted versatile All-America Selections (AAS) award winners, pairing showstopping foliage like Premium Sun Coral Candy coleus with vibrant plantings of Flamma Pink celosia, Zydeco Fire zinnia, and Black Forest Ruby dahlia near tranquil water features. From urban green refuges to quiet, hidden sanctuaries for solitary reflection, the display