Current Garden Exhibits
One of the largest parts of the gardens is the Annual Trial Garden. As stated on the annual trial garden website, Plants for the trial garden are submitted private breeding companies and All America Selections. The plants are grown in the trial gardens at Michigan State University to test performance of the plants in a Michigan climate. Plants are evaluated bi-weekly on vigor, uniformity, ornamental value, susceptibility to disease and illness, and tolerance to a extremes in climate (like a really hot summer day in Michigan, or a really cold, rainy summer night in Michigan). A summary of this evaluation is published in a booklet at the end of every season. The booklet is available online (Cameron).
Recently more than just annuals were trialed on the Michigan State University site. Typically only annuals are trialed because they are easy to breed- they only have a life cycle of one growing season so results of crosses are quickly seen. While most trials take place in the annual garden right next to the Plant and Soil Science Building, vegetables, herbaceous perennials, and native plants were trialed in other parts of the gardens. The vegetables are in the Vegetable Demonstration Garden and the native plant trials are to the east of the Food Safety and Toxicology Building (Cameron).
A large display of perennials is presented in the Judith A. Delapa Perennial Garden. This garden has ten island beds that total 6,500 square feet. Because perennials bloom all year long there is something to look at most of the year—from March until late November, sometimes later. This garden, like all the others, is an educational resource for both students and visitors to campus. Plants are labeled with scientific names and common names so that visitors can learn about plants they enjoy. The entrance pavilion serves as the entrance to the perennial garden. There is also a pond located in the northeast section of the garden. The pond is a nice spot to enjoy water lilies and other aquatic plants.
A popular attraction for young visitors to the gardens is the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden. The 4-H Children’s garden in located in-between the demonstration gardens and the Lewis Arboretum. All of the 4-H gardens are made up of small theme gardens. The outdoor gardens have the ABC KinderGarden, the Teddy Bear and Animals Garden, and the Storybook Garden. The indoor garden has food themed areas: My favorite Foods, Rainforest in My Kitchen, and Around The World Herb.
Read more about this topic: Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens
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