Beautiful, Educational and Unique
The Influence of Herbert H. Dow and his son, Alden B. Dow, is evident everywhere you look in Dow Gardens. Herbert Dow believed it was important that the whole garden should not be seen from one spot. He arranged plantings so that one area gradually led you to another. Alden Dow carried on his father’s beliefs and was also interested in softening the line between nature and architecture. Many of the structures we see in The Gardens today were designed by Alden Dow.
Stream Walk
You can reach the Stream Walk by taking the main paved path from the Visitor Center through Boulder Pass or by taking the Sensory Trail. The stream is announced by the sound of a waterfall. A path meanders between the stream and flower beds. Seasonally, you’ll find tulips and annuals in this area as well as scattered perennials, lilacs, birches, rhododendrons and dogwoods. The stream leads you to an Alden B. Dow designed Red Bridge. The Conservatory is just beyond this Red Bridge.
Estate Area
The Conservatory is open year round and contains numerous foliage and tropical plant displays. From mid-March to mid-April it is filled with colorful butterflies.
Just beyond this contemporary glass building, you’ll see the barn. Once a true working barn, today it is used as a classroom and for equipment storage. Behind the barn is an area known as The Secret Garden. Wanderers here discover a stream, waterfall, and a shady respite.
A short stroll past the Jungle Walk and the Sun Bridge reveals the historic Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Home. The Home was built in 1899 and was often called The Pines. Tours of the home are offered throughout the year by reservation. A delightful kitchen garden is found behind the home.
Other key features of the Estate Area include annual flowers by the Sun Bridge, the Herb Garden, and a small waterfall that spills into a reflecting pool. Look for examples of Michigan hardy plants, including hostas, red buds, weeping cherries and silver maples.
Color Garden
The Color Garden contains an abundance of traditional garden beauty and unique landscape plantings. Depending on the season, you’ll discover large concentrations of perennials, annuals, and tulips. The Color Garden is also home to many fine specimen trees, such as lindens, oaks, elms and other crabapples. While there are no paths in the Color Garden, please feel free to walk on the grass and take in the many colors and textures of this area. A delightful yew maze can be found in the Color Garden to explore. A Red Bridge that was designed by Alden B. Dow crosses the pond into Pineside.
Pineside
As you cross the Red Bridge from the Color Garden, you’ll enter a towering evergreen landscape. Herbert Dow was drawn to the same stand of virgin and second growth white pines you see today. Tucked among these giants, you’ll find many fine examples of crabapples, viburnums, ferns and rhododendrons. The H.H. Dow Maze is one of the oldest features of Dow Gardens and a favorite spot for children. Along the main paved path you can see a land sculpture that we call the Bumps. Behind the Bumps is the Leaping Gazelle, by Marshall Fredericks, which looks over the Herbert H. Dow II Reflecting Pool. The Pines is also home to a small “Sprite” statue. The statue was modeled after a Sprite at the Chicago Midway Gardens by Alfonso Ianelli and Frank Loyd Wright. The Alden B. Dow Home and Studio sits adjacent to Dow Gardens and can be seen across the Pond.
Exploration Garden
To reach the Exploration Garden, cross over the red bridge to Azalea Island. While on the island you can view the Alden B. Dow Home and studio from the overlook. A clinker bridge built by Herbert Dow to access his orchard, will take you off the island to Rhododendron trail.
In the Exploration Garden you’ll find the Trial Garden which is used to evaluate newly introduced annuals, container plants and perennials. Next to the plant trial area is the Rose Garden which contains a variety of roses, including most of the All-American Rose selections.
The Children’s Garden is a fun spot for families. It contains a tree-house, statuary, a pond, fountains known as the jumping jewels, and annual changing plant displays. It was designed to teach kids where their food comes from. The garden is a dynamic place where one can learn about plants while having fun.
Beyond the Children’s Garden, you will find the Snake Creek Overlook with steps down to an observation deck. Also in the Exploration Garden is the wedding peninsula, with ceremonies taking place throughout the summer season.
