Matthaei Botanical Gardens Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Outdoor gardens at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Location	1800 N. Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
Type	Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Owner	University of Michigan

The University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a huge place in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It covers about 300 acres (121 hectares). It's a special spot with many different kinds of botanical gardens, wild natural areas with walking trails, and places for scientific research.

One of the most popular parts is the conservatory, which is like a giant greenhouse. It's open all year round! You can find the main entrance at 1800 North Dixboro Road. The outdoor areas are open every day, but some trails might not be kept clear in winter. The conservatory, garden shop, and lobby are open most days. You can find the latest information on their website: Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

The gardens have outdoor display areas, a fun children's garden, and a very large conservatory. There are also natural areas with trails for exploring. The gardens are named after Frederick C. Matthaei, Sr., and his wife Mildred. They gave 200 acres (0.81 km2) of land to start this amazing place.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens has something for everyone! Families, gardeners, hikers, bird watchers, and scientists all love to visit. It's a great place to learn about nature and how to protect our environment. They offer many programs and workshops for both kids and adults.

Exploring the Outdoor Gardens

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens has many different outdoor areas to explore. Each one has its own special plants and design.

Herb Knot Garden

The Alexandra Hicks Herb Knot Garden is a modern take on an old-fashioned Tudor garden. It has neat hedges of yew and boxwood plants. You'll also see fragrant lavender, creeping thyme, and winter savory. This garden honors "Sandy" Hicks, who loved herbs and healing plants.

Demonstration Prairie

The Demonstration Prairie is a restored grassland. It used to be farmland, but work to bring it back to a natural prairie started way back in 1967.

Gaffield Children's Garden

The Gaffield Children's Garden is a super fun place designed just for kids! It's a natural setting where children can explore and play. This garden has different play areas and interactive stations.

Gateway Garden of New World Plants

The Gateway Garden of New World Plants shows off beautiful plants that are native to North and South America. You might see colorful coreopsis, cosmos, marigolds, and sunflowers here.

Woodland Wildflower Garden

The Helen V. Smith Woodland Wildflower Garden is home to over 100 native wildflowers, woody plants, and ferns. These plants are all found in the southern Great Lakes Region.

Labyrinth

The Labyrinth is a quiet spot where you can walk and think. It's a peaceful place for meditation or just to enjoy some calm.

Marie Azary Rock Garden

The Marie Azary Rock Garden is a special garden that features plants growing among rocks.

Matteson Farmstead and Historic Barns

The Matteson Farmstead includes a farmhouse from the 1860s and two old barns. The smaller barn was built around 1845-1865, and the larger one around 1875-1900. These buildings are currently closed to visitors.

Norman Memorial Garden

The Norman Memorial Garden is a popular gathering spot. It has new plantings of native oak, maple, hickory, and sassafras trees.

Perennial Garden

The Perennial Garden bursts with blooms in spring and summer. It's a very popular spot for weddings!

Sam Graham Trees

The Sam Graham Trees collection features many of the important trees that grow naturally in Michigan.

Urban Pocket Garden

The Urban Pocket Garden has interesting trees like European hornbeam, eastern white pines, and Kentucky coffeetree.

Inside the Conservatory

The conservatory is a huge greenhouse, over 10,000 square feet! It was designed by architect Alden B. Dow and finished in 1964. It's thought to be the biggest university-run display greenhouse in the United States. The conservatory has three main areas, each with a different climate:

Tropical House

The Tropical house is warm and humid, just like a rainforest. You'll see plants like pineapple, soursop, bromeliads, coconut palms, coffee plants, and bananas. There are also beautiful orchids and cacao trees, where chocolate comes from!

Temperate House

The Temperate house feels like the Mediterranean region or warm parts of Asia. It has a wonderful collection of bonsai trees, with more than 40 tiny trees on display. You can also see tea plants, fig trees, and cork oak trees.

Arid House

The Arid house is hot and dry, like a desert. This section is full of cactus, succulents, and other plants that can live with very little water. You'll find interesting plants like agave and aloe here.

Bonsai Collection

You can always see three bonsai trees on display in the temperate house. There's also a special outdoor bonsai garden where more of the collection is shown to the public. You can learn more about them online at bonsai.mbgna.umich.edu.

Natural Areas and Trails

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens also has large natural areas. These include old woodlands, wetlands, several ponds, and a built tall-grass prairie. There are four nature trails that cover a total of 3.2 miles (5.1 km).

Dix Pond Trail

The Dix Pond Trail shows how nature takes back old farms, planted forests, and old gravel pits.

Fleming Creek Trail

The Fleming Creek Trail has many different habitats. You might see or hear small wildlife along this path.

Marilyn Bland Prairie

The Marilyn Bland Prairie is full of wildlife. It includes prairies, old fields, and wetlands near the historic Matteson farm.

Sam Graham Trees Trail

On the Sam Graham Trees Trail, you can find Michigan's important trees. They grow in different areas, from wetlands to forests and savannas.

Sue Reichert Discovery Trail

The Sue Reichert Discovery Trail is perfect for kids of all ages. It has child-friendly signs and lots of activities. You can discover animal tracks or explore a cool willow lodge!