Meijer garden tour article written by Jennie and photos by Gail. Thanks to both of you for your contributions.
We were wowed by the knockout colors of the grand entrance flowerbeds as we drove into Meijer gardens. Apparently the plan is to continue the wow right up to the doors of the conservatory but that part is currently under construction.
Entrance to the gardens
Entrance to conservatory area, currently under construction
Our touring group
One of the two docent groups
Sculpture outside the entrance
the Chihuly glass scupture flower like structures
We will henceforth notice how the sculptures inside the conservatory are chosen to enhance the plants, like armadillos and a javelina in the Western Hemisphere arid room.
Arid Room
Outdoors, the plants are chosen to set off the sculptures, often enclosing even the larger works in an outdoor garden room of green tree and shrub walls with various appropriate groundcovers. Even the terrazzo floor in the conservatory is considered a sculpture with specially colored stones and mother-of-pearl fragments setting off the many imbedded bronze designs that suggest a “forest floor” under the canopy of the concrete “tree” forms that support the roof.
Outdoor sculpture
The terrazzo floor
The largest insectivorous plant collection, the largest tropical conservatory in the state, superlatives stacked up! The Victorian room illustrated the historical development of botany and gardening that flourished in that era, and we learned the importance of the Wardian Case in successfully importing exotic species by ship.
Tropical room
Tropical room
The tour can easily be reported as 2 hours of education under the category “educational display gardens”. We also use that category for our volunteer work in our own display/demo gardens and for those who volunteer at TBG and HLG. It is appropriate education for our mission to have docent-led and guided tours because we learn more plants and design ideas as well as educational aspects of such gardens.
Tropical room
Victorian Room
Victorian Room
Pitcher plants in the insect area and carnivorous plant room
The docent showed us a cut away of one of the plants. Inside you could see the insects that it was feeding upon.
A sophisticated cafeteria decorated with blown glass Dale Chihuly flowers, an interesting gift shop, a library, all on the first floor. We could easily have spent the whole day in that building, but the weather was moderate and vast gardens beckoned outside!
Chihuly glass flowers on ceiling in dinning area
The fountain area in the cafeteria outdoor dinning area
The tram was well worth taking as an overview of the outdoor display areas and helped us decide to return to the American Farm garden and the expansive new Japanese garden, before finishing up in the Children’s garden, our senses already overwhelmed even before we saw the oversized tongue, nose and ear denoting the sensory garden areas in it.
Meadow landscaping with sculpture-see conservatory in the background
Waterfall seen during tram ride draws you with the sound of running water. This is a number one spot for weddings…but there is a two year wait.
Garden along tram area
Our group heading out to explore on foot
American Farm garden
Sculpture in the American Farm garden
Japanese Garden
Japanese Garden
Children’s Garden
check out the size of the entry gate (i got thru it)
back exit-entry to vast gardens
sculpture……….another view of conservatory
This plaque says it all–
Thank you Meijer family—what a gift!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 