Research and Teaching
Dr. Miller conducts applied and basic research through his research lab and also the CSU Trial Gardens program, with a mission of providing education, research and outreach to students, community members, industry professionals and anyone else with a desire to learn. The outdoor display and test areas at the Annual Flower Trial Garden were established to allow students, researchers, industry representatives, homeowners and extension personnel to learn, teach and evaluate through horticultural research and demonstration projects conducted in the unique environmental conditions of the Rocky Mountain/High Plains region.
Dr. Miller also teaches the following courses:
HORT 221 Landscape Plants
HORT 332 Herbaceous Plants
Trial Gardens Tour
News & Updates
view allCSU Trial Gardens Photo Library
Access the CSU Trial Gardens Photo Library here to see images of all our annual, perennial, and cool season plants from the past few years.
CSU Trial Gardens 2025 Trial Winners
See the CSU Trial Gardens’ 2025 “Best of” annuals and this years’ trial winners here.
Trial Garden History
The Trial Garden began at the W. D. Holley Plant Environmental Research Center (PERC), located at 630 W. Lake Street on the Colorado State University campus. PERC was in operation from 1971 to 2016. In 1992, Dr. James E. Klett began his role as Director of PERC and became the Faculty Coordinator for the trial program.
Contact Information
mailing addressOffice: 237 Nutrien Building
Lab: Horticulture Center
1707 Centre Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80523
+1 (970) 491 2506
e-mail chad.miller@colostate.edu