The Utah State University Botanical Center in Kaysville continues its mission of guiding the conservation and wise use of plant, water, and energy resources through research-based educational experiences. The center's campus features diverse environments including an urban fishery, wetlands that support local wildlife, and various volunteer-tended gardens.
Public Access and Facilities
Located at 80 E. 725 S. Sego Lily Dr. in Kaysville, the Botanical Center offers public access to its gardens, ponds, and trails from sunrise to sunset without an entrance fee. The facility serves as a hub for both community engagement and academic study, providing educational opportunities for children and adults alike.
The Varga Arboretum Legacy
The center's campus includes an arboretum known as the William A. Varga Arboretum. This site showcases a collection of trees and shrubs specifically selected because they are well-suited to the arid conditions found in Utah’s mountain valleys.
The arboretum represents a growing, living legacy established by William A. Varga, who served as the first director of the USU Botanical Center and was a long-time horticulture educator for Utah State University.
Rasmussen Teaching Garden
Adjacent to the USU Botanical Center Greenhouse, the H. Paul and Mary Jane Rasmussen Teaching Garden serves as a vital practical resource for the university's off-campus horticulture program. The garden is used extensively by more than 150 students working toward their degrees.
The garden is designed in a series of islands that are intended to be aesthetically pleasing from multiple angles while changing with the seasons. It also maintains a specialized collection of iris and daylilies that represent Dyke’s annual award winners dating back to 1947.
Educational Horticulture Features
The Rasmussen Teaching Garden was named in honor of the long-time support provided by Doctor and the late Mrs. Rasmussen toward the mission of the center, specifically regarding research and demonstrations of plant and water resource management.
A notable feature of this garden is a water sculpture designed by Allison Armour. This piece was added to the garden in the summer of 20_8 and was made possible through a gift from USUBC supporters Dan and Claudette Eastman.
Kaysville Education Center Gardens
The Kaysville Education Center, which also houses the Davis County Extension office, maintains its own distinct botanical displays. The flower beds located in front of the building are designed for curb appeal, featuring spring blooming bulbs and low-water perennials that provide color throughout the summer months.
Central to this area is a courtyard garden that provides a quiet space featuring shade-loving plants and Utah natives. This garden is surrounded by several trees and shrubs that produce flowers in the spring.
Native and Perennial Species
The plant life within the Education Center gardens includes a variety of species such as Pineleaf Penstemon, Jupiter's Beard, and Hardy Iceplant. Other notable plantings include Sol Dancer Daisy, Silverheels Horehound, and Daphne, which can be found blooming in the shade garden.
Additional species present in these beds include Aggies block A and large catmint plants.
Supporting Botanical Conservation
The Utah State University Botanical Center remains committed to its role as an educational institution. To support these ongoing efforts in education and conservation, the center encourages community members to become annual garden members or donate to help sustain the beauty of the gardens through every season.
