Mississippi Gardens

 Cactus Plantation: 1088 Champion Hill Road, Edwards, MS 39066 (601)852-2705.

The world's only cactus plantation fills several greenhouses with over 3,500 varieties of cacti, succulents, colorful bromeliads, daylilies, tropical foliage and seasonal plants.

 Crosby Arboretum, Mississippi State University: 370 Ridge Road, Picayune, MS 39466 (601)799-2311.

The Crosby Arboretum manages more than 1,000 acres in seven natural areas, supporting more than 700 species of native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers. It includes Pinecote, a 64-acre Native Plant Center and Pinecote Pavilion, designed by world renowned architect Fay Jones.  An article about the acquisition of the Arboretum.

 Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis Home: 2244 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS 39531 (228)388-9074 or (800)570-3818.

The 52 acre estate, formerly the retirement estate of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, includes the home where he wrote and landscaped grounds. (Note:  Horribly damaged by Hurricane Katrina, Beauvoir is now being repaired and restored.  Please check the website for updates.)

 The House on Ellicott's Hill: 1798. N. Canal St., Natchez, MS (601)443-9065.

Andrew Ellicott, in defiance of Spain, raised the American flag on this hill in 1797. This National Historic Landmark is a historic restoration project of the Natchez Garden Club.

 Jackson City Hall: 219 South President Street, Jackson, MS 39209 (601)960-1084.

One of Jackson's oldest surviving antebellum structures, this 1846 Greek Revival building includes a plaza with formal gardens and a statue of Andrew Jackson.

 Jackson Zoological Park: 2918 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39209 (601)352-2582.

This small but excellent zoo has endangered species, extensive plantings, re-created natural habitats, and a butterfly meadow.

 Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum: 1150 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS (601)713-3365.

The complex of museum buildings includes an All America Rose Selections accredited rose garden listed on the National Rose Register.

 Mynelle Gardens: City of Jackson, 4736 Clinton Boulevard, Jackson, MS 39209 (601)960-1894.

The Gardens, the work of Mynelle Westbrook Haywood and now a city park, include an Azalea Trail, an All-American Selection Garden, a Camellia Trail, a Oriental Island, a White Lawn (Wedding Lawn), and a Hemerocallis Society Display Garden.

 Palestine Gardens: 201 Palestine Gardens Road, Route 9, Box 792, Lucedale, MS 39452 (601)947-8422.

This 5 acre garden is a scale model of the Holy Land at the time of Jesus, with the River Jordan, the Dead Sea, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

 Private John Allen National Fish Hatchery: 111 Elizabeth Street, Tupelo, MS 38802 (662)842-3215.

The Pvt. John Allen National-Fish Hatchery is a scenic outdoor facility where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service propagates native fish for use in restocking programs. A charming 1903 Victorian house which was the home to hatchery managers for many years offers a Grandmother's Garden of turn-of-the-century plants.

 Rosalie: 100 Orleans Street, Natchez, MS 39120 (601)446-5676.

This 1820 Georgian style mansion, a National Historic Landmark owned by the DAR, offers colorful gardens including a Bicentennial Garden. Landscaped grounds overlook the Mississippi.

 Rose Garden: University of Southern Mississippi Campus, Hardy Street entrance, Hattiesburg, MS (601)266-6951.

This All America Rose Selections accredited garden features 750 Hybrid Tea and Grandiflora patented rose bushes. Open year-round, the blooming season is late spring and summer. A campus newspaper article offers a detailed description.

 Rowan Oak (Faulkner House): University of Mississippi, Old Taylor Road, Oxford, MS 38655 (662)234-3284.

Enjoy the beautifully landscaped grounds of writer William Faulkner's house.

 Springdale Hills Arboretum and Christmas Tree Farm: 2116 Springdale Road, Pocohontas, MS 39209 (601)366-4679.

This 104 acre arboretum offers trails, over 150 species of trees, ponds for fishing, picnic areas and the ruins of an 1830s mansion.

 Washington County Courthouse Arboretum: Washington Avenue, Greenville, MS 38703

Planted in 1895 by Dr. Orville Blanton, the first white child born in Washington County, this arboretum is curated by the Greenville Garden Club and features trees native to Washington County.  Trees are marked by name and description.

 Wister Gardens:1440 State Highway 7, Belzoni, MS 39038 (662)247-3025.

This 14 acre garden abounds with thousands of azaleas, hundreds of roses in two rose gardens, daylilies, crape myrtles, and flowering fruit trees. A lake provides a home for white and black swans.