2025 National Meeting Open Gardens

Attendees of the 2025 American Conifer Society (ACS) National Meeting will have a unique opportunity to visit several exceptional private gardens before and after the conference. These gardens, carefully nurtured over the years, feature many rare and dwarf conifers, striking landscape designs, and the unique passions of their owners. The garden visits are self-guided and do not require registration. A complete list of locations, dates, and opening times will be emailed to attendees and placed in the 2025 meeting group page. Please be sure to visit only during the designated times provided in the official event email.

Bob and Chris Coultrip’s Garden – Morton, Illinois

Bob and Chris Coultrip began transforming their garden in 1994, replacing traditional landscaping with conifers, garden ponds, and other unique plantings. Their passion for conifers took off after attending their first ACS National Meeting in 1999. Their ever-changing landscape now features over 300 conifers, including dwarfs, miniatures, and container plantings. Chris has added more ginkgo and Japanese maples over the years, while Bob continues to test Zone 5 limits with new acquisitions—sometimes successfully, sometimes at the mercy of Mother Nature. Even if you’ve visited before, their evolving garden will have something new to offer.

Dave and Nan Horst’s Garden – Sabula, Iowa

Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, across from Sabula—the only island city in Iowa—Dave and Nan Horst’s hillside garden displays an impressive array of dwarf conifers and hostas, beautifully integrated into the natural surroundings. The bluffs rising behind the house enhance the garden’s dramatic allure, making it a must-see gem.

Dave and Barb Boeckmann’s Farm and Garden – Wheatland, Iowa

Since moving to their farm in 1975, Dave and Barb Boeckmann have transformed their hilltop property from a sparse landscape into a thriving conifer haven. Over time, they have incorporated a variety of hardwood trees, shrubs, hostas, daylilies, and perennials. Local limestone, including salvaged barn foundation blocks from a barn on the property, has been artfully repurposed into ledges and walkways. The latest addition is a second windbreak with spaces for flowering trees and pollinator-friendly plants.

FranMara – Oelwein, Iowa

Brothers Tom and the late Gary Whittenbaugh developed their beautifully landscaped lot, FranMara, with over 750 rare rock garden plants and dwarf conifers. The garden extends from street to alley and features numerous troughs filled with alpine plants and miniature conifers. It has been featured on the covers of Garden Gate and Iowa Gardening magazines, with each publication featuring a story dedicated to it. This meticulously maintained garden reflects their dedication and creativity.

Dennis and Nancy Hermson’s Garden – Farley, Iowa

Retired farmers Dennis and Nancy Hermson have cultivated an extraordinary conifer collection on their open prairie farm, where wind, sleet, and snow present constant challenges. Dennis has constructed protective berms to shield the most sensitive plants, allowing a variety of rare and dwarf conifers to thrive. The garden is constantly evolving, ensuring visitors will discover something new with every visit.

Ed and Kelli Rinderspacher’s Garden – West Branch, Iowa

Located on a century-old farmstead, Ed and Kelli Rinderspacher’s expansive garden is framed by towering trees that create distinct garden rooms. These spaces are filled with an extensive selection of perennials, hostas, tree peonies, hellebores, voodoo lilies, woody shrubs, deciduous trees, and conifers. Many of their conifers were acquired through ACS auctions. Their meticulous rockwork edging adds structure and visual interest. Ed, an arborist, landscaper, and plant collector, has curated a horticultural retreat that combines beauty with function, including extensive vegetable gardens and collections of cacti and succulents.

Emil Rinderspacher and Susan Goodner’s Garden – Iowa City, Iowa

What was once a cornfield is now an intricate landscape of mixed beds and borders planted with a variety of perennials, annuals, roses, grasses, shrubs, small trees, tropicals, and conifers. Over 30 years, Emil and Susan have planted over 250 varieties of trees and shrubs, along with thousands of bulbs, ensuring continuous bloom from early spring through frost. A Master Gardener for 31 years, Emil’s passion for conifers and woody plants has shaped a dynamic, inviting garden with a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and seasonal interest. His brother Ed fueled his interest in conifers.

Myron and Ellen Kloubec’s Koi Farm and Garden – Amana, Iowa

Nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Iowa near the Amana Colonies, Kloubec Koi Farm is an 80-acre aquaculture business transformed into a horticultural showcase. Owners Myron and Ellen Kloubec, who are passionate about koi and conifers, have created a striking landscape that features a 100,000-gallon garden pond with magnificent rockwork, cascading waterfalls, unique and unusual koi, and a cantilevered deck offering a place to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Their extensive conifer collection includes specimens of all sizes, shapes, colors, and textures, featuring rare and unusual varieties. This exceptional fusion of water and woodland highlights their keen design sense and love for the extraordinary.

American Conifer Society Reference Garden – University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Since 2014, the University of Iowa’s conifer gardens have been part of the ACS Reference Garden program. These gardens offer an educational and visually inspiring setting for visitors to explore. The university’s conifer gardens are located throughout campus, with notable plantings at Hancher Auditorium, the President’s Residence, and the Eckstein Medical Research Building. In 2014, two of the university’s conifer gardens were awarded the American Conifer Society Reference Garden distinction. Dancer’s Garden, situated next to Halsey Hall, and the Eckstein Medical Research Building Garden were identified as places where the public could learn more about conifers.

These remarkable gardens, each featuring its own unique character and plant collections, offer an unparalleled opportunity for ACS attendees to explore and find inspiration. Look for full details in your event email and enjoy discovering these extraordinary landscapes before and after the 2025 National Meeting!