Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
 
 
 

About Us

The Arboretum features more than 1,100 acres of magnificent gardens, model landscapes, and natural areas-from woodlands and wetlands to prairie-with extensive collections of northern-hardy plants. Tour the Arboretum on 12.5 miles of garden paths and hiking trails. Walk the close gardens and walk or drive Three-Mile Drive to see more gardens and collections. Limited access to Three-Mile Drive in winter for vehicle traffic (pedestrian traffic remains open).  Winter Wonder bus tours are available Thursdays and Saturdays (check times and fees at Visitor Center. Circulators offering step-on and step-off service to three destinations throughout the Arboretum will start in 2013.

The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Our mission is to be a growing resource for horticultural and environmental information, plant conservation, research and education; to inspire and delight a growing visitorship with quality plants in well-deisgned and maintained displays, collections, model landscapes and natural areas.

 

Download the 2012 Arboretum Statistical Summary.

Contact info@umn.edu with general inquiries  For questions about plants, contact www.extension.org/ask  or visit the Yard & Garden Help Desk in the Oswald Visitor Center, Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Also, a message may be left at they Yard & Garden Help Line at (962) 443-1426.

 

If you are with a community group or civic organization interested in a donation of VIP admission passes from the Arboretum to assist in your fundraising, please click here to fill out a form and submit your request. Allow for six weeks via mail delivery or a pick-up can be arranged. Sorry, no phone calls can be returned. You may email donation@umn.edu for additional assistance.

Thank you for your interest in the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Vision

To be the world-class northern landscape arboretum.

Core Values

We believe:

  • Plants are the basis of life on earth and a critical part of establishing and maintaining a viable urban and rural ecosystem.
  • People of all ages benefit by understanding the value of trees and other plants in their lives.
  • We must continue to support research to discover new knowledge about plants.
  • Plants are a necessary part of the emotional and spiritual well-being of all people.  Horticulture is a nurturing and creative activity.
  • Dissemination of horticultural information is an essential outreach activity of the Arboretum.  This dissemination includes landscape models, collections, and gardens, as well as written, visual, and verbal formats in order to reach all the community.
  • It is our commitment to create an atmosphere of excitement, enthusiasm, and interest about the living environment.
  • We will strive to be accessible and welcoming to all people.

Mission

The mission of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, as part of the University of Minnesota, is to provide a community and a national resource for horticultural and environmental information, research and public education; to develop and evaluate plants and horticultural practices for cold climates; and to inspire and delight all visitors with quality plants in well designed and maintained displays, collections, model landscapes, and conservation areas.

  • Education
  • Research
  • Gardens and Collections
  • Andersen Horticultural Library

 Funding

Click here for FY 2012 operating summary

The Arboretum's annual operating budget is funded primarily by individual members, donors, and private foundations in the form of gifts and grants. More...