top of page

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - ANN ARBOR

Great LAKES GARDENS

The Great Lakes Gardens is a very special site at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens that showcases nine endemic ecosystems to the Great Lakes Basin.  Just outside of Ann Arbor, the public can see rare plant species in a variety of ecosystems - including wetlands, prairies, and dunes. 

InSite was hired to create the framework for the gardens and the system in which the native plants grow.  The site is tightly situated between the conservatory and Fleming Creek and InSite was charged with working around existing trees, wetlands, and steep grades to create structure for this very special garden.  Each of the nine ecosystems is unique in terms of soils, stone, and ecological infrastructure.  The materials for walks and walls were selected to reflect the various ecosystem types and the character of natural areas found around the state.

bottom of page