MSU’s campus in Michigan is full of breathtaking garden views that are a treat for the eyes. From vibrant flower beds to perfectly manicured landscapes, there’s beauty around every corner.
Strolling through these gardens feels like a peaceful escape right in the heart of campus. Whether you’re a nature lover or just looking for some inspiration, MSU’s gardens are sure to impress.
1. W.J. Beal Botanical Garden
Founded in 1873, this garden is America’s oldest continuously operated university botanical garden. The collection features over 5,000 plant species organized by evolutionary relationships.
Michigan’s academic heritage shines through each carefully labeled specimen, making it both beautiful and educational. Students often sketch the unique plants while visitors enjoy the peaceful stream running through the garden.
2. Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum
Hidden behind the Plant and Soil Sciences Building, this gem showcases different landscape designs and plant combinations. Winding paths lead visitors through themed gardens that change with Michigan’s distinct seasons.
Students use this living laboratory to study landscape architecture while visitors snap photos of the picture-perfect scenes. The gazebo offers a charming spot to sit and take in the surrounding beauty.
3. 4-H Children’s Garden
Whimsy meets education in this delightful space designed specifically for young explorers. Tiny bridges, colorful flowers, and interactive elements make learning about plants fun for kids visiting Michigan’s premier agricultural university.
The alphabet garden, butterfly house, and pizza garden capture children’s imagination while teaching plant science. During summer, the garden hosts special programs where kids can get their hands dirty planting their own flowers.
4. Judith DeLapa Perennial Garden
Bursting with color from spring through fall, this garden showcases plants that return year after year without replanting. The clever design ensures something is always blooming as Michigan’s seasons change.
Garden enthusiasts often jot down plant names for their own home gardens. The variety of textures, heights, and bloom times demonstrates how to create a garden with year-round interest even in Michigan’s challenging climate.
5. Annual Trial Gardens
A riot of color greets visitors to this testing ground where new flower varieties show off their potential. Researchers evaluate hundreds of plants for their performance in Michigan’s climate before they hit garden centers.
The neat rows of experimental blooms create a patchwork quilt effect that’s stunning to photograph. Garden industry professionals visit from across the state to see which new varieties might be tomorrow’s garden stars.
6. Demonstration Gardens
Practical gardening ideas come to life in these showcases of sustainable landscaping techniques. Rain gardens, native plant collections, and pollinator-friendly designs demonstrate eco-friendly approaches perfect for Michigan homes.
Homeowners find inspiration for solving common garden problems while helping the environment. The clever use of space and plant selection shows how to create beautiful landscapes that require less water, chemicals, and maintenance.
7. Horticultural Gardens
Surrounding the Plant and Soil Sciences Building, these gardens serve as outdoor classrooms for future plant scientists. Different garden rooms showcase various design styles from formal to woodland, all thriving in Michigan’s climate.
Students gain hands-on experience maintaining these spaces throughout the changing seasons. The carefully planned plant combinations demonstrate professional design principles while providing beautiful spots for campus photos.
8. Red Cedar Riverbank Gardens
Following the winding river through campus, these natural-looking plantings blend with Michigan’s native landscape. Strategically placed benches invite visitors to pause and watch ducks glide by or listen to the gentle sounds of moving water.
Fall brings spectacular color as trees reflect in the river’s surface. These gardens demonstrate how to create beautiful riverside plantings that prevent erosion while enhancing the natural beauty of Michigan’s waterways.
9. Healing Gardens
Tucked beside the Clinical Center, this therapeutic space uses plant selection and design to create a sense of calm. Research shows that garden views speed healing, making this Michigan garden both beautiful and beneficial.
Fragrant plants, gentle water features, and comfortable seating invite reflection and relaxation. Medical students sometimes study here, finding that the peaceful environment helps them absorb complex information better than indoor spaces.
10. Michigan 4 Seasons Garden
Specially designed to showcase beauty year-round, this garden proves Michigan’s harsh winters can’t stop the show. Spring bulbs, summer perennials, fall foliage, and winter berries ensure continuous interest regardless of season.
Clever plant selection demonstrates how to maintain garden appeal even under snow. Photography students frequently visit to capture the changing face of this garden, creating visual records of Michigan’s dramatic seasonal transitions throughout the academic year.