Bloomin' Beautiful

by Lani West

Few things are as powerful yet beautiful as flowers. Think about it. A single red rose ignites a flame where once barely a spark flew. Landscapes bursting with colorful flora and foliage inspire such inner peace, it’s as if angels hand-painted the scenery just to please. Maybe you’re looking for ideas to create your own tranquil garden. Perhaps you want to share nature’s abundance with someone special. Either way, now is prime garden-time in Michigan.

Visit these gorgeous gardens and discover why, “It’s a bloomin’ beautiful life!”

Greater Kalamazoo

Most people don’t know that Kalamazoo, Michigan, is none other than the nation’s Bedding Plant Capitol. It’s estimated that 75 percent of all bedding plants used in America come from this fertile area, once the country’s “celery capitol.”

The region’s award-winning gardens are planted at the end of May, including 150,000 plants placed in Bronson Park, the Kalamazoo Mall, the eastern gateway, and in Portage at the city center and Library Lane. The local garden clubs and the City of Kalamazoo get into the act as well, with numerous projects like the “front yard contest.”

To make a day of it, visit the Five Senses Garden at the John F. Kennedy Center; the 1,000-acre Kalamazoo Nature Center (featuring birds of prey, other animals, a Butterfly House, and Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden); and the 100-acre Lillian Anderson Arboretum at Kalamazoo College.

Kalamazoo colors peak in late July. For details, call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 269-381-4003.

Lansing & MSU

Michigan’s State Capitol becomes the Garden Capitol come summertime. Naturally, green thumb types wouldn’t miss the “garden trilogy” at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

First, there’s the Horticultural Demonstration Gardens, an official All-American Trail Selections site, offering the perfect place to stroll amidst seven acres of floral displays, fountains, and artwork. Then, the Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum provides a sampling of unique landscape designs for ardent do-it-yourselfers. Finally, the 4-H Children’s Garden brings out the kid in everyone with its tree houses, theme gardens—watch out for Pete Rabbit!—and butterfly area in May.

Another notable “green place” in East Lansing is the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden, the nation’s oldest continually operating garden of its kind. During a free, self-guided tour, see more than 5,000 species co-mingling in an extraordinary “outdoor laboratory” ecosystem.

A drive to downtown Lansing yields Cooley Gardens. Rising up from the city streets, Cooley refreshes like a cool breeze on a scorcher of a day. A mere acre-plus oasis, this little treasure boasts all the elements of a 1900’s estate garden. It’s an eclectic mix of country cottage and formal structure, complete with hedge-divided garden rooms in various garden themes. The extensive peony collection blooms best in May. The classic and English roses… June through August.

End the perfect day in urban paradise with the perfect gift that keeps on giving and growing. Porter’s Orchids in Grand Ledge (W. of Lansing) has 6,000 square feet of greenhouses dedicated to more than a dozen types of orchids… the perfect living souvenir.

For more on these Lansing locales, call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 517-487-0077.

Scenic Saginaw

Try horticulture with the emphasis on “culture” when visiting Saginaw, Michigan. After strolling the formal gardens that elegantly frame the Saginaw Art Museum, park the car at one of the following three locations and take a walking tour of gardens around town.

Admission is free at the Andersen Enrichment Center and Memorial Garden, which houses hundreds of roses, the “flying geese” sculpture, and a fountain. Then walk to the Saginaw Zoo and see the lovely results of the Adopt-a-Garden program there.

Not to be missed, and also within walking distance, is the Tokushima Friendship Garden and Japanese Tea House. One of only five in the country, it was built completely without nails, in honor of Saginaw’s sister city Tokushima. The Eastern gardens with graceful bridges are the perfect backdrop for an authentic and relaxing Japanese tea, served the second Saturday of every month. Reservations are recommended. Call the Saginaw Valley Visitor’s Bureau at 800-444-9979.

Once you’ve visited these great gardens, you might be tempted to return home and tear up your backyard. But, keep in mind there was a team of gardeners involved in these projects. You’re just one person.

Start by adding some color here and there… and, remember, a little flower power goes a long way.