‘Better Homes and Gardens’ Perfectly Groomed Test Garden

Ever wonder if those perfectly groomed, impeccably landscaped lawns and flower beds in gardening magazines actually exist? Well, if you see a photo of an emerald-green lawn, an eerily well-kept flower bed, or a patio that looks strangely unused in “Better Homes and Gardens,” chances are it was taken at the magazine’s Test Garden in Des Moines.

Better Homes and Gardens uses a private display garden on the grounds of its company headquarters in Des Moines for many of its photo shoots. The BHG Test Garden lies just outside the downtown offices of the corporate headquarters, an oasis occupying just half a block. With 22 distinct areas, the Test Garden serves not only as a colorful wonderland of flora but also as an outdoor studio for photography, a venue for corporate entertaining, and a lunch spot for employees.