By providing space, facilities and expertise we are involved in the basic plant growth functions that are necessary for lab research. We also collect, propagate and care for plants in our diversity collections that are necessary for classroom instruction and associated labs.

Our events and our display gardens provide the outreach that brings Marsh Gardens to the attention of Yale students and employees, as well as New Haven and area residents.

With Farnum Gardens and the proposed wet-lands development on the south side of Hillside Place, Marsh Gardens is a key component in the green space development to provide walkways, displays of gardens and collections of horticultural interest.

About the Gardens:

Marsh Gardens sits on eight acres at the northern end of Yale University’s campus. Bequeathed to the University by Othniel C. Marsh (1832-1899), paleontologist and natural history professor, the Gardens have provided support for research and instruction for Yale’s undergraduate and graduate studies programs, including Forestry and Environmental Studies; Evolutionary and Ecological Biology; Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and others.

Our modest outdoor displays include remnants of the original design by Beatrix Farrand, whose relationship with Yale University began in 1923 and lasted for decades. The display areas also include naturalistic plantings on the hillsides using American native wildflowers, grasses and woody plants. The perennial and annual beds near the greenhouses provide spring, summer and fall color.

The indoor diversity collections are the strongest part of our public display, with tropical plants of economic and cultural significance filling every space in several large greenhouses. The insectivorous collection, the desert plant collection and the coffee, chocolate and banana trees elicit positive reactions from visitors.

A brief time line of the history of Marsh Gardens would begin with the establishment of Yale University in 1701 in Killingworth, CT. After moving to New Haven, the expansion of its professional and graduate programs eventually included the School of Forestry (now the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies) in 1900. Othniel Marsh bequeathed his home for this purpose at the same time he gave the grounds to start the botanic garden.

During the first two decades, the oversight of the botanic garden was in the capable hands of Dean of Forestry Henry Graves and the gardener, John Murray. Systematically planted beds with labels provided study material for forestry students and others.

In 1923, the Yale Corporation acknowledged Marsh’s generosity by adding his name to the garden. Also, the School of Forestry moved to Sage Hall and the oversight of the Garden was given to the Botany Department. That same year, a plan for the reorganization of the garden was presented, which stated that the goal should be that ‘the Botanic Garden will be an institute for research in plant life also containing a systematic display of plants as an educational feature for students and the general public.’

1923 continues as a pivotal year for the garden, as Beatrix Farrand began her decades-long relationship with Yale that year. Her design was implemented over several years, and included a formal garden, patterned after the earliest existing formal garden, in Padua, Italy. Her design also included a rock garden, which is the last and best remnant of her work at Marsh. Although it has changed significantly over the years, the special charm of this setting still has power to engage the visitor.

After Ms. Farrand’s tenure of oversight and design of the campus ended in the early 1940’s, the garden went through a period of neglect and encroachment. Late in the 1990’s, Mary Helen Goldsmith, a professor for Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, began a restoration of the garden that included the first stages of planting hillsides, labeling specimens and general renovation of areas of the garden.

The present Director of the Garden, Tim Nelson, has overseen the hiring of the Manager, Eric Larson, further up-grades and renovation of the gardens and greenhouse collections, more display gardens and the development of a long range plan. The landscape master plan for Science Hill or the North end of Yale’s campus, has also progressed with input from Tim Nelson and Eric Larson.