Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Firefl y Viewing Nights is an event at the Arboretum that is fun for the whole family.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON BOUDREAU-LANDIS

Gather at the garden

Five things to know about the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen is a destination for any nature lover. With over 1,200 acres of green space and gardens, exhibits and a variety of events sure to interest everyone in the family, it’s a great place to stop and smell the roses.

Here are five things people should know about the Arboretum, suggested by the Arboretum’s PR and Media Specialist Sarah Jackson.

VARIETY OF PLANTS

The Arboretum was founded more than 60 years ago and includes a collection of plants like none other in the world. It includes showy annuals and tropicals, but also extremely hardy plants that can thrive in Minnesota.

In many cases, the flowers, plants and trees at the Arboretum were developed by scientists on its very grounds. That includes the honeycrisp apple and more than 100 other edible and ornamental plant introductions that home gardeners and farmers grow every year.

CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE

The Farm at the Arb helps connect people with not only the land but also the food it can provide with demonstration gardens and special events for the public.

Near the farm’s big, red historic dairy barn, the Tashjian Bee & Pollinator Discovery Center teaches all ages about the importance of pollinators.

MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM

Location: 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chanhassen Hours: Open by reservation 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily Cost: Admission is free for members, $15 for non-members ages 16 and older and free for ages 15 and younger Info: arb.umn.edu

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

The Arboretum is fun for families, including those with young children. In addition to plastic-free nature play structures outside at the Arboretum’s Marion Andrus Learning Center, there is a hedge maze, a sculpture garden, a treehouse area in the shade tree exhibit and countless other areas that are ideal for connecting with nature from a child’s point of view.

Storytime in the library is another popular activity, along with summer classes and camps for kids and even entire families.

EVENTS GALORE

Arboretum, thanks to a packed schedule of events, including an outdoor Summer Music Series starting in June, Firefly Viewing Nights, Taste & Toast and Art in the Garden events.

In the fall, events include the Arb Glass Pumpkin Patch, AppleJam, Field Fest, Scarecrows in the Garden, a Fall Color Run and Ar-BOO-retum. Guided yoga, hikes and walks are also offered year-round at the Arb.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SARA PACE

In the spring, the gardeners plant 25,000 to 30,000 annuals in the Griggs/Burke Annual Garden.

MANY WAYS TO EXPLORE

The Arboretum offers wide, open acres to explore — on foot or by car. Three-Mile Drive gives visitors an overview of the expansive grounds and many destinations (trails, forests, wetlands, open meadows and prairies).

Three-Mile Walk allows visitors to go deeper into special areas full of surprising seasonal flowers, shrubs and vines.