The Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens are plant-related gardens with a collection of trees and plants. They are located on Bogue Street on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing, Michigan. The gardens are free for the public to visit every day.

Many people visit the gardens because they are a popular place on campus. Gardens have been on campus since the college was founded, which later became Michigan State University. Over time, the gardens were moved because new buildings were built. Today, the gardens are next to the Plant and Soil Science Building, which is home to the Department of Horticulture and its teaching greenhouses.

The main features of the gardens are as follows:

History

The first gardens on campus were the botanical gardens, which began in 1877 (Beal 252). Before these gardens became popular, there was also a Horticultural greenhouse. It was a favorite place for visitors and was considered the most interesting spot on campus at that time (Lyon 204). Before designated horticultural gardens were created, the entire campus grounds were described as Milton imagined Eden: "A happy rural seat of various views." (Lyon 203).

The first planned horticulture gardens were used as test areas for growing plants. For example, trees there were studied for experiments with fungicides in 1889 (Davidson 76). The first display gardens had two purposes: to show plants to students and visitors and to provide plants for classes. These gardens included roses, annuals, perennials, and bulbs. They were designed in the early 1930s by T. Glenn Philips, who was the college landscape architect at the time (76). They were located in the center of what is now East Circle and extended to where the Student Services Building now stands. These gardens were very popular, with an estimated 40,000 visitors in the summer of 1935.

In the late 1940s, the Horticulture gardens were clearly separated from the botanical gardens after a disagreement about who was responsible for them. President Hannah assigned the botanical gardens to the botany department and the horticulture gardens to the horticulture department. The horticulture department was also responsible for providing floral arrangements to all buildings on campus (76).

Changes were needed for the gardens due to the construction of the Natural Science Building and the Student Services Building. The redesigned garden included a grassy area with a fountain surrounded by ‘Red Jade’ crab apples in the center. Jack and Perkins released its ‘Spartan’ rose in 1955 to honor Michigan State University's centennial. By 1971, the gardens became a popular place for special events, including weddings, twelve of which took place that year (77).

In 1978, Michigan State University was asked by All-America Selections and professional seed producers to join a network of trial gardens across the United States. Lowell Ewart was responsible for the Michigan State University Trial Gardens. Trial gardens allow plant companies to see how different plant varieties grow in various climates. Flower seed companies choose which plants to test and submit thousands of varieties for testing in Michigan. Bedding plants were started in the Horticulture Teaching Greenhouse around March and April and then transplanted in May. Each variety was given a number and evaluated by a judge three times during the summer. Information about these evaluations was published at the end of each growing season. Bedding plant producers met at the site in early August to review the trials and decide which plants to grow the next season. The trial garden covered about half an acre with 30,000 plants. The trial gardens were moved to the current site in the late 1980s, and the current manager is Katie Carver.

Fundraising for the newest and final gardens began in 1987. Despite doubts from faculty, $3 million was raised by the time the gardens were dedicated in 1993. Work on the new gardens started in 1989 after the Plant and Soil Science Building was completed. The gardens were moved next to the Plant and Soil Science Building because the horticulture department was relocated there, making it appropriate for the gardens to be moved as well. All the perennials from the old garden were moved to the new site, and more were added (78). The square footage of perennials increased from 1,500 to 18,000. The Michigan 4-H Children's Garden was started in 1991 and completed in 1993. The gardens now cover 7.5 acres and are visited by 300,000 people each year.

After moving the new gardens to the current location, the department could no longer maintain the old gardens near the Old Horticulture Building. The area was converted into a green space, which disappointed many students who enjoyed the area.

Explanation of people and companies mentioned (in order of appearance)

President Hannah was the 12th president of Michigan State University. He is known for expanding the university and increasing the number of students from 6,000 to 40,000. Jack and Perkins is a plant company that focuses on breeding roses. All America Selections has a goal of testing new plant varieties and informing gardeners about the varieties that perform well and receive approval. Lowell Ewart works in the horticulture department and creates new plant varieties.

Current garden exhibits

One of the largest areas in the gardens is the Annual Trial Garden. According to the Annual Trial Garden website, plants for the trial garden are submitted by private breeding companies and All America Selections. These plants are grown in the trial gardens at Michigan State University to test how well they grow in Michigan’s climate. Plants are checked every two weeks for health, uniformity, beauty, resistance to disease, and ability to survive extreme weather, such as very hot summer days or very cold, rainy nights in Michigan. A summary of these evaluations is published in a booklet at the end of each season. The booklet is available online (Cameron).

Recently, more than just annual plants have been tested at Michigan State University. Usually, only annuals are tested because they grow quickly and complete their life cycle in one season, making results easier to observe. While most trials take place in the Annual Trial Garden near the Plant and Soil Science Building, vegetables, non-woody perennials, and native plants have also been tested in other areas of the gardens. Vegetables are tested in the Vegetable Demonstration Garden, and native plant trials are located to the east of the Food Safety and Toxicology Building (Cameron).

The Judith A. Delapa Perennial Garden features a large display of perennials. This garden includes ten island beds covering 6,500 square feet. Because perennials bloom throughout the year, there is something to see from March until late November, sometimes later. Like all the gardens, this one is an educational resource for students and visitors. Each plant is labeled with its scientific and common names so visitors can learn about the plants they enjoy. The entrance pavilion is the main entrance to the garden. A pond is also located in the northeast section of the garden, where visitors can see water lilies and other aquatic plants.

A popular attraction for young visitors is the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden. This garden is located between the demonstration gardens and the Lewis Arboretum. The 4-H Children’s Garden includes small theme gardens. The outdoor areas feature the ABC Kinder Garden, the Teddy Bear and Animals Garden, and the Storybook Garden. The indoor section includes food-themed areas: My Favorite Foods, Rainforest in My Kitchen, and Around the World Herb.

Gallery

• The Perennial Garden.
• The Rose Garden area.
• A water fountain located between the Gardens and the Plant Biology Lab.
• A pond with fish.
• Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum.