A Garden Welcome

Located at the Washington Heights entrance to Nichols Arboretum, the Gateway Garden welcomes visitors into the Arb and provides a transition between the surrounding neighborhood and its trails and natural areas.

New planting areas along the sidewalk feature Michigan native plants arranged in broad sweeps of grasses and sedges, with flowering perennials woven throughout. The simple, more formal design creates a clear and welcoming approach to the Arb while complementing the nearby Peony Garden.

The planting also responds to the garden's sloping site. Bicknell's sedge (Carex bicknellii) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) form a dense layer of fibrous roots that helps hold soil in place. Familiar-looking native perennials, including nodding onion, foxglove beardtongue, wild geranium, and Richardson's alumroot, add flowers throughout the planting.

James D. Reader Jr. Urban Environmental Education Center

The James D. Reader Jr. Urban Environmental Education Center sits within the Gateway Garden and serves as a welcoming point for visitors entering Nichols Arboretum from Washington Heights. Visitors are welcome to stop in for information, assistance, and access to restrooms.