Leila Arboretum

Battle Creek, Michigan, United States

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Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek, Michigan, was established in 1922 when Leila Post Montgomery, widow of cereal magnate C. W. Post, donated 72 acres of land that was formerly a country club to the city with the vision of creating a public arboretum.

The arboretum showcases nearly 1,700 woody plant species and around 25,000 total plants laid out in the style of European gardens, including perennial gardens with daylilies, purple coneflowers, daisies, and seasonal displays of thousands of bulbs like tulips and daffodils.

Over the years, it expanded to include demonstration gardens such as a lilac garden, perennial walkway, native plant garden, and labyrinth. The site also features the Kingman Museum, walking and running trails, a children’s garden, public art installations like the Fantasy Forest carved tree sculptures, and a championship disc golf course.

The Leila Arboretum Society, a community-driven nonprofit with hundreds of volunteers, manages the gardens and offers educational programs, maintaining this cherished green space and cultural landmark in Battle Creek.​