Systematics Gardens with plant species arranged in beds according to a system of classification are important in many major botanic gardens, particularly gardens associated with colleges and universities. In a systematics garden, students may observe the range of flower types and growth forms within a given plant family and may compare different plant families in close proximity.

The Herbaceous Garden has served as a "systematics garden" for more than a century. Each family in the garden is represented by a selection of economically important, botanically interesting or ornamental species. The Ruth Brown Richardson Perennial Border, which extends along the wrought iron fence east of College Lane, was planted in the 1980s. Here plants are arranged for aesthetic purposes, reflecting horticultural rather than strictly taxonomic goals.