MSU Horticulture Garden

Liberty Hyde Bailey is known as the father of American Horticulture. You will often find flowers placed in his hand by students, staff and visitors.

These massive plants are commonly called Elephant Ears (Colocasia). They are planted outdoors in the annual garden for the summer, then dug up, potted and kept in the greenhouses during the colder months.

The secret garden is tucked away in between buildings, the perfect place to study or read a book!

The Cypress trees (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula") create an epic background for the Annual Garden Gazebo.

This cultivar of Dahlia is one of many unofficial trial Dahlias featured in the Sunken Gardens.

Espalier is the practice of pruning and tying branches to a frame or trellis, in formal or informal patterns, flat against a structure such as a wall, fence, or trellis.

The Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) creates a beautiful arbor that is popularly used for the aisle in wedding ceremonies. Although beautiful, this vine is commonly called the Trumpet Creeper because of its tendency to spread uncontrollabl... Read more

This cultivar of Echinacea is one of many perennial trial plots. In the summer, trial plots are evaluated biweekly and are given scores based on uniformity, wow factor, vigor and resistance to environment (pests, draught, etc). The scores, ... Read more

Hosta 'Little Treasure' is a favorite among the Hosta Garden.

Frank’s Nursery and Crafts Rose Garden displays over 700 roses. The roses are sprayed weekly for black spot and powdery mildew and are pruned as needed.

Some trials include various plant combinations in containers. The purpose of this is to test what looks good together and what performs well in a container. This Scaevola combination is especially stunning! Scaevola are also commonly calle... Read more

This Lady Fern (Athyrium 'Ghost') is one of many ferns on display in the Woodland Garden. Ferns reproduce by spores that are located on the underside of the fronds. Take a peek!

The Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') has beautiful striped foliage. This ornamental grass is a featured plant and not easily ignored!

The waterfall and perennial pond is a favorite scenic spot. This area is constantly improved with new features and plants. This summer (2023) a bog garden was added toward the front of the pond and includes a handful of carnivorous plants!... Read more

The entrance pavilion was completed in 1992 and forms the entrance to the Perennial Gardens. It is a circular, open-air structure with a central planter with a purple-leafed beech (Fagus sylvatica purpurea) surrounded by two rows of classic... Read more

Just outside and north of the Entrance Pavilion is Wilbir the Floral Peacock. Wilbir is 14 feet tall and 35 feet wide and is planted with more than 3,000 plants each year - mostly begonias because of their ease of care and floriferous natur... Read more

The Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) in the Children's Garden is in the top ten largest redwood trees in Michigan!

The Pizza Garden is one of the 60+ themed garden beds in the Children's Garden. The Pizza Garden includes plants used as pizza toppings such as peppers, chives, basil and pineapple!

The willow tree, pond and bridge is a magical space that was inspired by Claude Monet paintings.

The Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia fragilis) is found in the Dinosaur themed garden. Did you know that this cactus is actually native to Michigan?

You won't be able to miss the group of vibrantly colored Hydrangea macrophylla just past the Michigan Garden. Did you know that the color of hydrangea flowers are dependent on the PH of the soil?

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) are perennial plants that send out shoots in the spring, flower in the summer, and go dormant during the winter. Lotus flowers rise above the water, while Water Lillies and their leaves float on top of the water. ...

The Torch Lily (Kniphofia) is a perennial plant surrounding the bird bath in the Bees, Butterflies and Hummingbirds Garden. 

The Paw Paw tree (Asimina triloba) produces fruit that tastes like a mix between a mango and a banana. Paw Paws are considered to be North America's version of tropical fruit.

The Red Currant (Ribes rubrum) is displayed as a part of the Mawby Fruit Collection. The red berries are edible, but are often made into jams because they can be quite tart! 

The Japanese White Pine (Pinus parviflora) is featured in the Jane L. Smith Conifer Garden. Conifers are popularly used in landscaping because they look fantastic all year round.