The gardens are designated as an official All-America Selections display site, evaluating plants for their performance in the local climate.
The collection includes the Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum, which contains a mature collection of trees and shrubs categorized for regional landscape design.
The site functions primarily as a research and teaching facility for the Michigan State University Department of Horticulture.
Plants are organized in specific test beds to monitor growth patterns, pest resistance, and flower durability under Midwestern environmental conditions.
The Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens serve as a 14-acre outdoor teaching and research laboratory managed by the Department of Horticulture. Located on the campus of Michigan State University, the grounds encompass a collection of theme gardens including the Judith A. DeLapa Perennial Garden, the Amien J. Carter Annual Trial Garden, and the Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum. These gardens feature over 1,000 distinct species and cultivars, providing a living catalog of plant diversity for students and public visitors. The site functions as an official All-America Selections (AAS) display garden, showcasing top-performing plant varieties. Dedicated thematic areas include a conservatory, an English cottage-style garden, and various water features. The site is actively used for plant trialing, breeding research, and horticultural education. Visitors can access the collection via a network of interconnected pedestrian pathways that wind through various ecological zones.
The central fountain area near the conservatory provides the most balanced perspective of the primary garden axis.
Bring a camera and a notebook, as many plants are labeled with their botanical names and specific cultivars for educational purposes.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the gardens encompass a large, sprawling area with varied terrain.
Check the university's academic calendar, as student research projects occasionally require temporary cordoning off of specific garden beds.
Do not attempt to walk through experimental research beds that are marked as restricted or in the process of data collection.
The outdoor gardens are accessible year-round, though peak visual interest is limited to the growing season; some paths may be difficult to navigate after heavy snowfall.
Stay on marked paths; do not collect seeds, cuttings, or plants from the research plots; respect ongoing academic research.
