Welcome to the MSU Trial gardens

The MSU Horticulture Gardens have been planned and built based on the generous financial support of our horticulture industries, the general public and our very own “Friends of the Garden”. We are a part of the MSU Department of Horticulture, considered to be one of the finest horticulture teaching, research and extension facilities in the country.  

Purpose of the Trials

The purpose of our trial gardens is to grow and evaluate new (and sometimes old!) species and cultivars of a wide range of plants under our mid-Michigan climatic conditions. Our growing conditions here are characterized by cold winters and cool springs followed by warm, sometimes hot humid summers. This season, we have received ample rainfall and temperatures have been somewhat cooler than normal. In 2008, the summer was quite dry and it has been interesting to see the differences in growth and development of different plants; cool season plants are lasting well into July, while warm season plants are so slow this year!

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