Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve

Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve is a 105-acre property with landscape gardens, a woodland preserve, an arboretum with trees from temperate regions, and a restored tallgrass prairie section. The site combines several types of cultivated and natural spaces into one cohesive landscape.

The Boydston family purchased the initial land in 1941. In 1964, Lawrence and Mary Plym transformed the property into a public garden open to visitors.

The garden features specialized plant collections from different regions, including a Japanese dry garden and herb sections with many varieties. These areas show how people from different parts of the world have cultivated and organized plants.

Paths throughout the property are accessible and easy to walk, with cafes and rest areas located in different sections. Plan for a full outing since there is plenty of ground to cover and different areas to explore.

The conservatory displays more than 100 varieties of tropical ferns, while outdoor sections feature over 50 types of hardy ferns adapted to the local climate. This collection shows visitors a wide range of fern species from different environments.

Location: Michigan

GPS coordinates: 41.86530,-86.34660

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:26