Andersen Horticultural Library
The Andersen Horticultural Library is a unique and inviting destination open to the public. A reading and reference library specializing in horticulture, plant sciences and natural history, its rich collections include a trove of art in the form of vintage seed catalogs, botanical wall charts, 19th-century wildflower paintings and rare books of exquisite bird and flower images from the past 500 years.
In addition to the reference collection, custom-built Nakashima furnishings make this space a welcoming retreat for reading and reflection.
Library Happenings
- Aug. 26, 2024-Jan. 24, 2025
This showcase of student creativity and library joy celebrates 50 years of the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Arboretum! University of Minnesota College of Design students bring the library's unique collections to life through vibrant posters designed in a surface design course led by Professor James Boyd Brent. Join us in marking this momentous occasion with these colorful posters that illustrate the fascinating stories behind our books and botanicals.
Library Coloring Pages
We’ve turned images from the Andersen Horticultural Library’s Flora & Fauna Illustrata (FFI), rare book and seed packet collections into coloring pages. Help us celebrate these wonderful collections by adding your own artistic touch.
Flora & Fauna Illustrata
The Andersen Horticultural Library is looking for artists to create scientifically accurate fine art for our Flora & Fauna Illustrata (FFI) collection. This “hundred-year project” aims to document all the plant and animal species that make the Arboretum their home. The library permanently archives the art and facilitates periodic FFI exhibitions. The collection provides a regional and national resource to aid research and serves to inspire learning, discovery, and enjoyment.