Arboretums and Botanical Gardens Galleries

Nichols Arboretum and Dow Prairie - Ann Arbor, Michigan : Nichols Arboretum (affectionately known as 'The Arb' by locals) is operated by the University of Michigan, which for administrative purposes considers it together with the Matthaei Botanical Gardens to comprise a single unit (MBGNA). The two lie several miles apart, and most visitors consider the two nature areas to be quite distinct in what they offer. Nichols Arboretum occupies some prime riverfront along the Huron River, starting just east of the Medical Center campus. Except for the very eastern part, where a tall grass prairie restoration is underway, Dow Prairie, the terrain is steep and mostly wooded. Along the margins of the woods and in the open areas (often referred to as valleys or glens) there are many trees labelled with common and binomial names. Trees both native to North America and imported from around the world can be found, many of them as large, mature specimens, dating to the 1920's - 1950's. Apart from various plantings of rhododenron and azaleas, and a few flower beds that surround them, the only flower garden in the Arboretum is a world class peony garden. Wildflowers abound in the woods and on the prairie, however. Hiking or jogging trails criss-cross both the wooded and open areas. There is no officially approved river access for boaters along the river in the Arboretum. Swans, geese, and ducks nest along it as a consequence. For a nice map of the Arboretum in pdf form, see http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/files/ArbGuide.pdf

Nichols Arboretum and Dow Prairie - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Nichols Arboretum (affectionately known as 'The Arb' by locals) is ope ...

Updated: May 20, 2013 11:45am PST

Hidden Lake Gardens, Michigan : These are pictures of the gardens, woodlands, trails, and other features to be found at this botanical oasis set amidst farms and villages near the Irish Hills area of southeast Michigan. They're selected to give a sense of place. Close-ups or less place-specific shots, and pictures from inside the conservatory, will go to appropriate specialized galleries. I've map tagged a number of the images. FYI, if you do your own Google maps search, use the name 'Hidden Lake Park', not 'Hidden Lake Gardens'.

Hidden Lake Gardens, Michigan

These are pictures of the gardens, woodlands, trails, and other featur ...

Updated: May 05, 2013 4:58am PST

Toledo Botanical Garden : Scenes from the garden which give a sense of place. Closeups of individual plants will go into other galleries in the 'Nature' category. In a few cases, scenes for TBG will go into the 'landscapes' or 'middle distance' galleries.

Toledo Botanical Garden

Scenes from the garden which give a sense of place. Closeups of indiv ...

Updated: Dec 12, 2012 2:46pm PST

Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, Michigan : February 2012: This is a nascent gallery. As the seasons progress, I'll be able to add more pictures of the outside garden spaces and sights along the various hiking trails through the 'Gardens'. Meanwhile, for more information about these gardens and trails, and the location of MBG, here is a link to a nice pdf that shows the overall location on a street level scale, and shows the layout of MBG in terms of trails and planted gardens: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/files/MBGGuide.pdf

Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor, Michigan

February 2012: This is a nascent gallery. As the seasons progress, I ...

Updated: Aug 22, 2012 6:45pm PST

Powell Gardens, Missouri : I have placed here scenes from the garden which give a sense of place. Closeups of individual plants will go into other galleries in the 'Nature' category. Details of the fountains will go to the 'Fountains' gallery in the Nature/Water sub-category. Pictures of the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel, designed by E. Fay Jones, are also in a separate gallery. An extensive set of botanical gardens just off of Hwy 50 in Missouri, about 20 miles west of Warrensburg, and within easy driving distance of Kansas City. A wide variety of plantings, changed with the changing seasons, make a visit here worthwhile at any time of year. Small lakes bracket a lovely area of island aquatic gardens, and surrounding the lakes are specialized gardens of all kinds. The gardens emphasize native prairie and woodland plants as well as a wide variety of cultivated species. A highlight is the Marjorie Powell Allen chapel, designed by Fay Jones, set apart from the gardens to enhance the serenity of the experience of visiting the chapel. Benches, ramadas, pergolas, decks, and other features invite the visitor to pause and rest through the grounds.

Powell Gardens, Missouri

I have placed here scenes from the garden which give a sense of place. ...

Updated: Jan 17, 2009 10:43am PST