Summer at Home: The MSU Gardens

We came back to Lansing from the lake so I could go to some doc appointments and that Rick and Kitty could prepare to go meet the grands (and her great grands) over the weekend. But it was a lovely day and a good time to take Kitty on a walk through the beautiful gardens at Michigan State University.

Late August is a lovely time to visit. Almost everything is still in full bloom. We enjoyed time in the perennial garden first. It was filled with sunflowers, lavender, hibiscus and many other glorious blooms.

I'm not sure what these were but they were enormous and I loved them!

The rose garden was looking a bit the worse for wear, but still a lovely spot. 

As we looked at this wonderful tree (with a sign that said "do not climb"), we shared stories of climbing trees we'd loved in the past. This one was magnificent! This was even better than the apple tree in my back yard as a child that I remember fondly!

 

 After we visited that garden we moved over to the Children's Garden. This is my favorite and I've written about it here many times before.

Things were in full bloom. I loved these sunflowers. 

So did the bees!

And I loved this photo of Kitty standing with them!

The Monet bridge over a small pond offered a lovely area for contemplation.

So, we took a little break!

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I took Kitty into the Alice in Wonderland maze. And no, I didn't lose her there!

Then we checked out the musical section. They have directions for playing several songs with your feet!

There are three "enchanted houses" (huts made of grapevines.) 

Kitty checked them out to look for fairies. (None today!)

I especially loved the zinnias. 

The bees and bugs were having a field day with this bloom -- a sunflower strain?

 

This is the entry to "Mary Russell's" Secret Garden.

We checked out the pizza garden, the Peter Rabbit garden, the herb and salad gardens and many others. Lovely, colorful signs pointed the way!

I was wild about these paper butterflies tucked into some of the garden beds.

The paper appears to be marbled or painted, folded accordion style and adhered together. They were then covered in something to provide some strength and waterproofing. I think it was something more than ModPodge -- they were still flexible but held their shape when you tapped on the wing.

The put on sticks an stuck into the gardens. I loved these! (If anyone has made them and has official directions, please direct me there!)

All in all, it was a lovely time and I was glad I could show her this wee jewel in our crown. 

She's back in Texas now, after a visit with her great grandlittles! Here we have four generations on the Acklin side. 

Makes me smile. 

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