Spring is almost here — which also means gardening season is upon us! And while many of us are busy tending to our own gardens at home, it is nice to admire the work of expert gardeners in the many botanical gardens in our midst. And here in Ann Arbor, we are lucky enough to have the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, but you may not be aware of some other exceptional gardens in surrounding areas.

To help you maximize your garden adventures this spring and summer, we gathered some of the best must-visit gardens in the Ann Arbor area, all located within an hour of the city. Each provides a variety of flowers, trees and shrubs, all worthy of admiration. Use our map to plan your garden tour of Southeast Michigan!

Matthaei Botanical Gardens | Ann Arbor

Spanning 350 acres, the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens is one of the largest and most diverse gardens in the entire state. Here, you’ll find 11 gardens each with a unique theme, including bonsai, herbs, perennials, wildflowers, medicinal plants, native plants, and much more. And when the weather warms up, retreat to the year-round indoor conservatory packed with plants from around the world. The Matthaei Botanical Gardens Trail connects the gardens with a network of multi-use trails perfect for hiking and biking. While admission to Matthaei Botanical Gardens is free, parking is $1.80 per hour with a $5 daily maximum charge. The buildings, conservatory and gardens are open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

 

Nichols Arboretum | Ann Arbor

Also part of the University of Michigan, the nearby Nichols Arboretum offers one of the richest landscapes in the region. It spans miles of trails and land with collections of native and exotic trees and shrubs crafted into a landscape that was first cultivated in 1907 at the hands of O. C. Simonds. The arboretum contains specialty gardens, thematic areas, dispersed collections, culturally significant landscapes, natural areas, and active areas of ecosystem restoration research. The land is wild and free while remaining well-cared for by gardeners over the years. Admission to Nichols Arboretum is free and open to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

 

Hidden Lake Gardens | Tipton

Encompassing 755 acres in Tipton, Hidden Lake Gardens is the largest botanical garden in the state of Michigan. The gardens are owned and operated by Michigan State University under the division of Land Management. But the vision for this natural wonderland began in 1926, when an Adrian businessman named Harry A. Fee purchased Hidden Lake and the 200 acres surrounding it. Fee spent many years developing the land, erecting buildings, building roads, planting flowers, shrubs and trees, and creating a beautiful place for visitors to enjoy. He donated the land to Michigan State University in 1945, and the rest is history!

The gardens have grown to include raised flower beds, a plant conservatory, hosta and rhododendron gardens, an arboretum, dwarf and rare conifers, a demonstration garden, and more. Plus, because of the network of roads throughout, you can quickly and easily access different areas by car. Hidden Lake Gardens is open 360 days a year with an admission fee of just $5 per person, with an optional $3 guided tour that must be requested at least two weeks in advance.

 

Cranbrook House & Gardens | Bloomfield Hills

Photo Courtesy of Eric Franchy via Cranbrook House & Gardens 

Get a history and horticulture lesson all in one at Cranbrook House & Gardens, a beautiful historic estate in Bloomfield Hills. The property contains an English-Tudor manor, which was built for George Gough Booth and Ellen Scripps Booth and their family in 1908. The Cranbrook House served as the active home for the family of seven for four decades, and today, is open to the public for guided tours. Extending 40 acres, Cranbrook Gardens contains more than 20 gardens with a wide variety of plants, trees and flowers, each with a unique focus, such as the Sunken Garden, the Butterfly Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Herb Garden, the Library Garden, Daffodil Hill, and many more. Admission to Cranbrook House & Gardens is free for self-guided tours, and guided tours and special events require paid admission.

 

Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens | Taylor

Located east of Ann Arbor in the town of Taylor, the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is one of the newest conservatories in the Detroit area, opening in 2005. The gardens encompass 7 acres, filled with perennials, container plantings, spring bulbs, apple and pear trees, and much more. There is an aluminum open-air conservatory structure in the center of the gardens, which is a one-third scale replica of the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle in Detroit (more on that later!). The gardens are open to the public for exploration — plus, guided tours offered June through October when the flowers are fully in bloom.

 

Westcroft Gardens & Farm | Grosse Ile Township

Photo Courtesy of Westcroft Gardens & Farm

Established on July 6, 1776, Westcroft Gardens & Farm is the oldest family-owned and -operated farm in the state of Michigan. The property has a Garden Center (open in May and June) that sells annuals, perennials, shrubs and more, plus Heritage Gardens, blooming with several different varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons. Before you go, keep in mind that the gardens are only open to those who have rented the space for a wedding or event, between Memorial Day and Halloween! Extending more than 3 acres, the gardens were created in the 1920s and ’30s as a testing ground for the farm’s fifth-generation owner, Ernest Stanton, who was experimenting with hybrids. There is something to admire every month at Westcroft, but the vibrant colors are in full force in late May to early June!

 

W.J. Beal Botanical Gardens at Michigan State University | East Lansing

The Michigan State University campus has it all — including a thriving botanical garden considered the oldest continuously operating botanical garden in the country. Situated within walking distance of Spartan Stadium and several residence halls, W.J. Beal Botanical Gardens first bloomed in 1873 and has since been used for teaching and research. Today, the gardens contain a diverse plant collection of more than 5,000 species, including fruits and vegetables, flowering plants, rare and endangered plants, medicinal plants, and more.

 

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory | Detroit

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Providing a relaxing sanctuary in the heart of Detroit, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory was designed by Albert Kahn and opened to the public back in 1904, making it the oldest continually operating conservatory in the country. The central 85-foot dome is modeled after Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and is flanked by three horticulture arms. Outside, the property contains manicured formal gardens and a colorful lily pond, and the conservatory holds five distinct indoor gardens: the Palm House, the Show House, the Tropical House, the Cactus House, and the Fernery.

 

Happy Spring!

What gardens in the Ann Arbor area are you most excited to visit?