Tour MSU campus for beautiful garden views

Thousands of people are visiting Mississippi State University’s main campus in Starkville as students and their parents arrive for college move-in day or fans attend a football game. They are being treated to one of the most stunningly landscaped grounds I have ever seen.

On a recent visit there, I found myself slowing down to truly appreciate the thoughtful design and beautiful plantings that welcome visitors at every turn.

No matter which entrance you choose, the first thing that greets you is an MSU sign framed by a colorful, well-tended flower bed. This season, many of these entrances have cheerful pink blooms of petunias, the chartreuse foliage of lime green sweet potato vines and the vivid red blossoms of begonias.

In some areas, sunny yellow lantana spill over edges, complemented by the delicate lavender blooms of Mexican heather, the bold, tropical look of SunPatiens, the dramatic plumes of purple fountain grass and the striking sky-blue flowers of Blue My Mind Evolvulus, a dwarf cultivar of morning glory.

By the Old Main Academic Center, multiple plantings showcase an artful mix of textures and colors.

Mounds of SunPatiens, golden lantana and purple fountain grass add dynamic color to the landscape. Lush coleus in variegated shades, large-leafed elephant ears, caladiums and a variety of ornamental grasses add height and drama, making each bed feel dynamic and layered.

The Hunter Henry Center is another showcase of the university’s landscape artistry.

Here, multiple plantings create a lush, resort-like atmosphere. Tall ornamental grasses sway gently in the breeze, paired with bold, tropical dwarf banana plants that give the beds a dramatic vertical element.

Richly colored coleus, cascading Blue My Mind Evolvulus, and cheerful petunias spill over edges, softening the structure of beds. Stately junipers add evergreen texture, while oversized elephant ears and red begonias provide a striking contrast against the grassy backdrops.

The mix of foliage shapes, colors and heights ensures that every glance reveals something new and eye-catching.

One of the campus highlights is the Chapel of Memories, and garden lovers may notice that the landscaping feels almost like a living painting.

Dark burgundy cannas rise tall behind swaths of caladiums and elephant ears, while petunias, SunPatiens and Angelonias provide a colorful carpet below. Purple sweet potato vines tumble gracefully over the red brick raised beds, softening their structure and tying the whole scene together in a beautiful cascade of color.

Scattered throughout campus are several pollinator gardens that add another layer of beauty and purpose to the landscape.

These gardens are filled with nectar-rich blooms and host plants that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Plants like purple coneflowers, zinnias, salvia and rudbeckias provide seasonal color and essential food sources for pollinators.

These gardens are often found near walkways and seating areas, allowing students, faculty, staff and visitors to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature up close while supporting biodiversity in the heart of campus.

The landscaping at MSU is more than just a backdrop. It is an ever-changing display of seasonal beauty, ecological stewardship and horticultural expertise.

When you are in the Starkville area, take some time to explore the campus. Stroll through its walkways, pause by its flower beds and enjoy the careful blend of color, texture and design that make it one of the most beautifully landscaped universities in the country.