One of the prettiest gardens I’ve recently visited was the Michigan State University W.J. Beal Botanical Gardens in East Lansing, Michigan.
Last Fall while visiting my BFF and cousin Denise we had a few hours until I had to catch my plane home, so we ran over to these gardens to check them out. After circling the University in our attempts to find the gardens we finally reached our destination! Haha. Not sure why we had such a hard time, but we finally got there!
I just loved the large trees and how they had all the plants labeled for ease of identification.
This garden, established in 1873 by Professor William James Beal, is the oldest continuously operated university botanical garden of its kind in the United States. With consideration for Professor Beal’s own words, “Students should themselves become discerning observers and investigators rather than mere reservoirs of previously accumulated knowledge” (Beal 1895, p.55). The Garden operates with the following mission:
Reflecting the philosophy of a land-grant institution, the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden is an outdoor laboratory engaged in teaching, collection development, research, conservation and public service. These activities focus on a theme of natural plant diversity, economic botany, ecology and plant conservation with emphasis on the Great Lakes region.
After looking at their website it is pretty obvious we probably only experienced two of the sections of the gardens. But those two areas were gorgeous. Maybe next time I go to Michigan we can have more time and check out even more.
Until next time, get out an explore! LAF
Have Teacup Will Travel 