The Cincinnati Enquirer

Better Homes and Gardens has opened its first test garden -- about a half-acre -- at the headquarters of its publisher, Meredith Corp. in Des Moines, Iowa.

The garden, designed to demonstrate the craft of landscaping, is open to the public noon-2 p.m. Friday, May 15-Oct. 15.

''We've packed an uncommonly rich mix of plants and ideas into one garden,'' says Mark Kane, gardening editor for Better Homes and Gardens.

''There are 2,500 woody and perennial plants, 16,000 bulbs, hundreds of annuals and many structures, including garden houses, gates and fences. It all combines to lend us an infinite number of design possibilities.''

Twenty-two distinct gardens -- shade and sun gardens, formal and informal styles, paths, arbors, trellises and ponds -- have been planted. There is a rose garden featuring a collection of hardy landscape roses that need no spraying. Some perennials were chosen for their aroma. In the ''meadow'' is a collection of wildflowers planted in bands.

Tips and photographs from the test garden will appear in each issue of Better Homes and Gardens. In addition, the garden will serve as a segment location for the Better Homes and Gardens television show, and techniques from the garden on simplifying home landscaping will appear on the magazine's Web site -- bhglive.com.

The garden is at 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa. Information: (515) 284-3994. Tours for groups of eight or more by appointment.