Have you heard of the stunning 4-acre poppy field in Fennville? When I heard about it, I headed out the same day and am so glad I made the trip. The poppy field is indescribably heartwarming and I will be back to experience it every year. The field was planted by Joan Donaldson and John Van Voorhees, the owners Pleasant Hill Blueberry Farm, to honor their son Mateo. Mateo was in the military and deployed to Afghanistan. After returning, he struggled with PTSD and eventually took his life in 2015.
Mateo had been a beekeeper and his parents began planting the poppy field in 2018 to feed the bees and butterflies that he was so fond of. They also hope the field will bring joy to others facing hardships. It truly does.
The poppies are in peak bloom in June, so be sure to visit them before July. Everyone is welcome, but because of the volume of visitors, please, please, please follow the below requests so this can continue next year. The adjacent cemetery was damaged by visitors to the farm and people have been going in the field and trampling flowers. Remember, this is a private farm and a very generous gift of love from the owners: • PARKING 1. Please park along M-89 or on the very West side of the cemetery only. No parking for poppy viewing will be allowed anywhere else in the cemetery. 2. Please pull far enough off that west side roadway to allow vehicles to pass through. 3. Please remember to be respectful of the community’s loved ones that have been laid to rest there. 4. With the exception of Sunday during church, parking is available at The Fennville Assembly of God Church, a short, pleasant walk. The church is located at 5897 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408 • REQUESTS FROM THE FARM 1. The field has a path surrounding it for visitors, please stay on the path and do not walk into the field. 2. Please do not pick the flowers.
Pleasant Hill Blueberry Farm is also worth a trip for their organic blueberries from July – early August. You can pick your own, or they also will ship frozen organic blueberries to you year-round.
Here’s the address for Pleasant Hill Farm, if you are going to see the flowers, you’ll want to park on the road in front of the cemetery, which is just before you’ll reach the actual farm: 5859 124th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408
We’ve compiled a list of Grand Rapids, MI greenhouses to make your shopping — and new discoveries easier.
Grand Rapids greenhouses and garden centers are one of the highlights of my summer. Perhaps that’s because we think Michigan summers are the BEST, and one of our favorite things to do is shopping at and discovering, locally owned Grand Rapids nurseries and garden centers. Sometimes it can be hard to find new places, so we’ve made a list for you, please feel free to post comments with additional suggestions.
As of Friday, April 24, the restrictions on garden stores under Governor Whitmer’s State Executive Order were lifted. While this was exciting for consumers and small business owners alike, it also came as a surprise. We reached out to Grand Rapids area nurseries and garden centers like Flowerland, Ludema’s and Koetsier’s and discovered that they all seemed to have the same message for their beloved and green-thumbed patrons: “We are elated to serve you again, and are back up to speed, please come see us.”
With the surprise reopening, a lot of demand was put on both suppliers and the workforce — greenhouses had limited staff and resources in order to help their business and plants survive during the economic freeze. For those of you with college-kids home, many of these places are still hiring for summer help.
Thanks to Matt Teliczan of Telidrone for the drone photo of Flowerland on 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Greenhouses are allowing a set number of people in their garden centers at a time to minimize the possible risk of COVID-19 transmission. In addition, highly trafficked areas are being frequently sanitized for consumer and employee safety. A 6-foot standing distance and proper face-mask usage are also required. Many places also have over-the-phone order placement and payment available for curbside pickup.
To make your quest to find the best Grand Rapids area nursery and garden center, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites, along with notes about how they are protecting their employees and customers from COVID-19 (we’ve only made notes for places where we, or someone we know, has experienced the procedures they have in place). One of our favorite summer adventures is shopping for plants. Please leave a note in the comments if you have other places you would recommend and we will add them to our list.,
FlowerlandGrand Rapids Locations 616.532.5934 / 765 28thSt., Wyoming, MI 49509 616.784.0542 / 3801 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321 616.942.5321 / 4321 28thSt. SE, Kentwood, MI 49512 COVID-19 NOTES: employees are wearing masks and customers are requested to wear masks too, along with social distancing. Comments: When I want to make sure that I’m going to find everything I need in one trip, this is my go-to place.
NE Grand Rapids Greenhouse: Knapp Valley Landscaping 616.363.8086, 4100 Knapp St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
NE Grand RapidsGreenhouse: Romence Gardens & Greenhouses (616) 451-8214 265 Lakeside Dr NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 COVID-19 NOTES: carts are cleaned after each use, employees are wearing masks and customers are requested to wear masks too, along with social distancing. Comments: I shopped here today, they have a great variety of annuals and perennials, this place is another of my favorites.
NW Grand RapidsGreenhouse:Andy Mast Greenhouses 877.927.1151 1534 Pannell NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
SE Grand RapidsGreenhouse: Bos Greenhouses 616.949.0407 1674 Spaulding SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
SE Grand RapidsGreenhouse: Huizenga Brothers Greenhouse 616.245.7409 3055 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
SE Grand RapidsGreenhouse:Koetsiers Greenhouse 616.949.7299 or 616.956.1526 1601 Spaulding Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
SE Grand RapidsGreenhouse:Ludema’s Greenhouse 616.452.2961 3408 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Comments:this is another favorite that I go to with my mom every year. They have wonderful plants that are great quality and quite a few unique options too.
AdaGreenhouse: Thornapple River Nursery (616) 676-0102 8080 28th St SE Ada, Michigan 49301 Comments: if you need mulch, they have a wonderful, unique composted leaf mulch. Once you use it, you won’t want anything else.
MiddlevilleGreenhouse: Creekside Growers (269) 795-7674 10197 W Garbow Rd, Middleville, Michigan COVID-19 NOTES: employees are wearing masks and customers are required to wear masks too, along with social distancing, hand sanitizer is also available. Comments: I shopped here last week and was impressed with the quality, unique plants available.
Middleville GreenhouseCherry Valley Gardens (269) 795-8811 6900 N M-37 Hwy Middleville, Michigan 49333
LowellGreenhouse: Snow Avenue Greenhouse 616.897.0057 3295 Snow Ave. SE, Lowell, MI 49331
Hudsonville Greenhouse:JW Succulents 616-422-6767 4545 New Holland Street Hudsonville, MI 49426 Comments: I’ve not been here yet, but have heard wonderful things about this place.
HudsonvilleGreenhouse: WW Greenhouses (616) 669-0134 4044 Chicago Dr Hudsonville, Michigan 49426
Allendale Greenhouse:Countryside Greenhouse 616.895.5000 9050 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale, MI 49401 COVID-19 NOTES: employees are wearing masks and customers are required to wear masks too, along with social distancing, hand sanitizer is also available. I’ve heard from quite a few people that they are impressed with how Countryside is keeping their customers safe. Comments: Countryside is enormous and is known for great pricing and an excellent variety.
NW Grand RapidsGreenhouse:Mottman’s Greenhouses 616.677.1525 0-2617 River Hill Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49534 COVID-19 NOTES: I’ve heard from friends that employees and customers have not been wearing masks or social distancing here.
Kalamazoo Greenhouse:River Street Flowerland 269.342.9207 1300 River St., Kalamazoo, MI 49048 Comments: every year my mother and I make the hour long trek to this greenhouse. They have an amazing variety of classics and unique plants.
Caledonia Greenhouse: Apols Water Gardens 616-698-1030 9430 Kalamazoo Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Comments: this is my go-to place for water gardens. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.
A few of the beautiful dahlias from our flower picking spree!Making the most of your Michigan summer should include going to places that embrace Michigan’s farmland, and the wonderful growing season we have here. Dahlia Acres farm in Hudsonville, MI is a great place to have that experience. You’ll walk away with more than memories because you can also pick and buy your own flowers, with over 50 varieties of dahlias, there’s a lot to choose from!
These are just a few of the varieties of dahlias on the farm at Dahlia Acres in Hudsonville.In addition to stopping by to pick flowers, Dahlia Acres also has an event called “Bouquets & Bottles” (which I hear is a HUGE hit), here’s some info that I picked up from their website:
Join us in making a beautiful bouquet!
Bring a friend and a bottle of wine, and try your han,d at making a floral arrangement. We will be demonstrating throughout the event, but it is up to you to get creative. We will provide all you need for your arrangement, a vase, all the cut flowers you will need, and scissors.
We will also have light snacks and bottled water…
The cost is $35 a person. Class sizes are 15-20 people.
Payment requested at RSVP- checks can be mailed to
Marcy Krause
4763 Baldwin Street
Hudsonville Mi, 49426
Questions welcome here, or through Marcy’s contact information as above.
You may also inquire about a private party.
We filled the back of the truck!Free Dahlia Care Tips from Dahlia Acres
Dahlia flowers come in a variety of colors and shapes. They are beautiful blooms but do require more care than other flower types. We want to share our dahlia care and handling tips.
Dahlias will hydrate better in warm water. Make sure your vase is clean and filled with at least 3”-4” of warm water.
Carefully separate the stems and remove any lower foliage that would fall below the water line.
Give each stem a clean diagonal cut. Cut at least 1” off each stem and quickly place in water.
Recut the stems and change the water daily. This will prevent bacteria from forming and clogging the stems.
Keep dahlias in a cool area, away from direct sunlight.
dahliaacresfarm.com. The address is: 4763 Baldwin Street
Hudsonville Mi, 49426
Don’t you just love the beautiful Michigan sky?
Pink and orange, my favorite.
I’ll be returning during peak season at the end of August, beginning of September to see how much bigger everything is.
This is the farming area for zinnias, sunflowers, snapdragons, eucalyptus, gladiolas, bells of Ireland and more.
Did you know that you can grow lotus flowers in Michigan? I grew this lotus in my backyard lotus bog. In fact, this is what I woke up to on my birthday. Happy Day!
I got this at Apols Landscaping. It’s well worth the drive to Caledonia. Here’s a link to their website, it doesn’t come close to doing them justice though. The place is incredible with tons of water lily’s, koi, goldfish, and lots of other things that will make your yard a sanctuary.
The Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition will be winding down pretty soon, so if you want to see it, this would be the time to act. The event is over on April 30th. The butterflies are at their best on sunny days, they go crazy and are everywhere.
I appreciate having the Frederik Meijer Gardens here in West Michigan. We’re lucky to have so many philanthropists who care about making their hometown special. It’s not unusual to see Fred Meijer at the gardens he and his wife Lena so generously gave to this community. And the gardens continue to grow and give. Each year I’m amazed at the new exhibits and changes that make them even better.
Amidst all the doom and gloom on the news, it’s easy to forget about the simple things in life that give us joy and happen even when the stock markets tank and politicians argue. I took this picture of a beautiful lotus in my little bog. It makes me smile and I hope it does the same for you.
Monotropa Uniflora, also known as Ghost Plant or Indian Pipe is a rare find, but grows in Michigan woods.
Indian pipes are rare plants that grow in the woods of Michigan. Although they look like a fungus, they are actually flowers that lack chlorophyll. My friend Ruth, an avid gardener, called me today and said that in her 53 years she had never seen one of these plants and that one was growing in her garden. Of course I had to go there tonight and take this for ya’ll!
Wildflowers in Glen Arbor is a must if you love gardening and are in the area.
Up until this summer, I had never checked out Wildflowers, but had driven by the shop on my way to Syncronicity in Glen Arbor. My friend Lisa had told me this was one of her favorite places to go when she was up north with her mother-in-law.
Now I can see why. Inside, the shop is filled to the brim with unique specialty items, from home accessories to personal gifts. Outside, the garden area showcases lush shade gardening with plants, statuaries, fountains, birdbaths, furniture and more for sale. It’s located on M-22, here’s a google map link.
As a yoga lover, I’ve always been fascinated with lotus flowers. This year I finally built a lotus bog and here’s my the first bloom.
By the way, thanks everyone who came out to see me at the Reed’s Lake Fine Art Show today in East Grand Rapids. It was a great show and I was honored to be included with all the wonderful artists there.
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