Backyard Garden: All American Selections Bed

photo of yellow flowers in the all american garden gardeners working in AAS garden

The purpose of this garden is to demonstrate new plant varieties with superior garden performance that have been selected by All-America Selections (AAS), an independent non-profit organization that tests new, never-before sold varieties for the home gardener.

In 2026, the AAS garden features 26 varieties of All-America Selections zinnias. Zinnias are a great addition to the garden, and combined with many other recent winners, give visitors the opportunity to discover a variety of award-winning edible and ornamental plants.

The AAS bed in the Backyard Garden will be entered in the All-America Selections nationwide garden design competition again in 2026. The theme of the 2026 competition is The Goodness of Gardening.

AAS The Goodness of Gardening

They were second-place winners in the 2025 AAS competition. The theme in 2025 was STEAM. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). They did an amazing job with design, implementation and education.

Watch the award winning video highlights here.

list of zinnias list of zinnias

Garden Points of Interest

  • The All American Selections (AAS) bed at the Backyard Garden is one of five recognized demonstration gardens (via the AAS registry) in the state of Kansas. Kansas is part of the Heartland region within the AAS designation.

Tips

  • If you have limited space, consider mixing flowers and edibles in the same bed.
  • Plant your plantings before you dig/ and consider light requirements, soil conditions, your planting zone limitations, and the size, color and design impression you want your garden to make
  • For more information, check out the All American Selections website.

Please enjoy our garden!

overhead view of AAS garden Photo of flowers hanging from waterng cans used as pots
Garden Address

35230 W 135th St
Olathe, KS 66061
Backyard Garden home page

Master Gardeners are available to answer questions and provide tours while they work the gardens Wednesday mornings, March to October. To schedule a visit on another day (M-F), please contact us at bygjocoemg@gmail.com

Have questions? The Garden Hotline is staffed by trained EMG volunteers and Extension staff who will assist you with questions.

Phone: (913) 715-7050
Email: garden.help@jocogov.org