Midland, Michigan
Dow Gardens
The Dow Gardens, begun in 1899, follow the philosophy of its creator, Herbert Dow, founder of Dow Chemical Company: “never reveal the gardens’ whole beauty at first glance.” More than 1700 varieties of plants grow on 110 acres, including annuals, perennials, bulbs, an arboretum, a collection of a dozen different species of crabapples, rhododendrons, evergreens, a rose garden containing most of the All American Rose selections, and a conservatory. The Children’s Garden entertains visitors with a tree house, a barnyard garden, a rainbow garden, and a weather station.Whiting Forest, Dow Garden’s newest addition, has seven different types of forest, a visitor center, hiking trails, covered bridges, ponds and more. [ info ]