Beal Botanical Garden's collections establish us as a place of learning. Our Collections support research and teaching at Michigan State University and deepen our understanding of the natural world. We curate collections that contribute to conservation and illustrate the many connections between people and plants.
Current Collections
Collections are organized into three main groups: core, thematic, and virtual collections. Our core collections depict plant diversity and share stories about our relationships with plants with detailed interpretive signs for each plant. Our thematic collections represent regional and global plant diversity, including natural habitats. Our virtual collections, accessible via our Exploration Map, let you explore plants within the garden as well as throughout campus.
A New Collections Plan
Collections are essential for our storytelling of interconnectedness. To demonstrate our relationships with others, plants, and our landscape, a new Collections Policy was created. Our existing collections require restructuring and reimagining to exemplify interconnectedness. See our policy for how our garden will continue to grow and serve MSU.
Our collections will be arranged into three overlapping themes to show that plants play a vital role in:
Understanding our world.
Nourishing our world.
Transforming our world.
Building Our Garden Together
For our garden to be relevant and authentic to our community, we need your help. We are committed to collections that serve the community and provide space for public input. If you would like to suggest a plant you would like to see in the garden, we invite you to fill out this form. Submitted plants will be reviewed by our staff.
Our collections include rare and unique plants from Michigan and across the world. A diverse collection from habitats such as prairies, alpine environments, or tropical climates require special care to maintain healthy plants. The garden staff support conservation by growing ethically and legally sourced wild plants in greenhouse facilities.
Acquiring, growing, and caring for these collections is an intensive process. You can support the care of our plants by giving to the garden!
Photos courtesy of Anna McGuffie (Opuntia humifusa, left; Psilotum nudum, center) and Dr. Peter Carrington (Stapelia gigantea, right).