Hidden Lake Gardens is a 755-acre botanical garden and arboretum, owned by Michigan State University. Located in the scenic Irish Hills near Tipton, Michigan, its natural areas include oak-hickory woodlands, a lake, and open meadows. The conservatory, hosta hillside garden, dwarf conifer collection, a demonstration garden, and arboretum display native plants and exotic species from around the world.

The Hosta Hillside features a significant collection of hosta donated and planted by the Michigan Hosta Society. More than 800 different cultivars are attractively arranged on a shaded hillside next to the lake. A cascading stream meanders through the garden and spills into a dark reflecting pool below. Dedicated as the Ralph H. (Herb) and Dorothy Benedict Hosta Hillside.

By Michael Greanya & Ed Steinbrecher

Hosta Hillside has experienced devastating deer damage over the past three to four years. Although deer have been present
since the beginning of the Hillside Gardens, we have recently seen uncharacteristic damage never before experienced. The size
of the deer herd may have grown since COVID in 2020. Once deer find a food source they like, they will often come back nightly to feast on whatever food is easy and abundant for grazing until it is gone.
Early attempts to deter them were not successful. Milorganite and other deterrents were somewhat effective initially, but deer
eventually got used to them. Rain dilutes their effectiveness and they must be reapplied frequently.
The MHS Board, staff from Hidden Lake Gardens, and MHS members rescued plants and amended beds over the last year. We
saved the most heavily damaged plants first. They are potted and stored in a nursery setting and are growing into healthy plants again. Right now, there are roughly 600 potted plants with about 300 varieties that are in recovery, and they are responding well.
To protect the Hillside, the MHS Board in coordination with Hidden Lake Garden’s staff is installing 8-10’ black deer netting
around the perimeter of the Hillside. This fencing is scheduled for 2025 while plant rescue will continue through next year with an eye toward amending the soil and replanting Hosta Hillside in 2026.

Large gates will be installed on both ends of the road adjacent to the Hillside that can be closed nightly and opened again in the
morning for traffic to drive through and enjoy our rejuvenated Hosta Hillside.
We are asking you to help by getting involved in this restoration project from its planning through the implementation stage in the next couple of years. With your help, we will be working over the course of the next 6 months to plan how we will redesign and replant the Hillside. It is likely that some of the existing beds will continue to have hostas with few if any companion plants. Other beds may have a variety of plants without any or few hostas. We will be identifying beds clogged with tree roots and developing a plan for various plants in those beds that can tolerate root competition.
Other ideas are being considered such as widening the paths for golf cart access and eliminating paths with extreme slopes. This
would make the Hillside more accessible to those with mobility issues.
It’s going to take the help of everyone to bring Hosta Hillside back and make it better than ever. Next spring there will be a need for help planting 1-gallon pots of hosta, labeling newly planted hostas, and many more tasks that will need attention, some that haven’t even been identified yet. We also need help with the early planning and creation stage going on now. Be a part of making Hosta Hillside a true gem again and volunteer to help us make it happen!

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