The Stunning Mississippi Garden With 700 Acres And Thriving Wildlife

HGTV recently released its list of the most beautiful gardens you can visit in every state — 50 spots where you can take in a variety of beautiful blooms. Rather than focusing on actually ranking gardens across the country, HGTV says the list is intended to encourage people to visit and appreciate them. In Mississippi, that's the Crosby Arboretum, a "700-acre love letter to Mississippi's native landscapes," according to the HGTV website. 

The Crosby Arboretum's mission is to educate visitors about the Gulf Coast landscape and the plants and animals that flourish there. It was established as a living memorial to L.O. Crosby, Jr., a nature enthusiast who was president of Crosby Forest Products Company in Picayune, MS. Following his death in 1978, Crosby's family dedicated 64 acres of strawberry fields to establish the arboretum. The total acreage managed by the Crosby Arboretum spans 700 acres,104 of which are in Picayune; only 64 acres are open to the public. The remaining acreage is dedicated to preservation and research. 

Visitors will find no shortage of areas to explore and perhaps find inspiration for native plants to their own home that are perfect for attracting birds. There are 13 trails to wander that will lead visitors through the grassy savanna exhibit, a young woodland that features more than 12,000 native trees and shrubs, and an aquatic exhibit that features a freshwater pond and the Pinecote Pavilion. The pavilion is an open-air wooden structure that "seems to float above a pond," according to HGTV. It is the site of many activities and social gatherings at the arboretum.

Pinecote Pavilion is simple in design, painted to blend in with the natural setting, while the plants, flowers, natural light, and shadows provide the ornamentation. Take note if you want to learn how to decorate with nature in your home. Beyond the pavilion, trails take guests on multiple journeys through the Savanna, Woodland, and Aquatic exhibits. The Ethnobotany Trail demonstrates how early Mississippians used plants for medicine, food, and tools. The Pitcher Plant Bog features carnivorous plants along with more than 60 species of other plants. There are several types of pitcher plants, and you can even care for them at home — a trip to the arboretum lets you see them in person before you buy and plant them in your yard.  A Children's Trail guides little ones through plants and animals found in the forest and teaches them how to get their bearings in nature. 

While exploring, don't forget to look for animals and insects that call the arboretum home. River otters and beavers play in streams and ponds, while woodpeckers peck for insects overhead. Many species of butterflies flit from one bloom to another, and colorful skinks dart across the pathways and under leaves.

Take a guided tour between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday by making a reservation in advance. Or, take a self-guided tour anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Trail signs provide information about the plants and animals native to the area. The arboretum is closed Monday and Tuesday. General admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and military, and $2 for children 12 and younger.