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Meijer Gardens celebrates autumn with beloved Chrysanthemum exhibition

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The Chrysanthemums & More! exhibition features a celebration of the art of the chrysanthemum with vibrant chrysanthemum displays, family-friendly activities and more, September 20 to October 27.

Exhibition Programming

  • Herb & Gourd Fest

Midwest Michigan Herb Association and Michigan Gourd Society

Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22. Saturday, 10 am–5 pm; Sunday, 11 am–5 pm

FEE: Free

Discover a variety of ways to use herbs and gourds in this annual fall event. Discover the health benefits that herbs provide, watch gourd artists at work, and purchase handmade herbal gifts and gourd art. There is even a fun art activity for kids!

 

  • Tuesdays at the Farm

Tuesday, September 24 and October 1, 5–8:30 pm in Michigan’s Farm Garden

FEE: Included with admission

Eat, drink, and dance in the crisp autumn air out at Michigan’s Farm Garden. A food truck and the James & Shirley Balk Café will be serving up local fresh fare along with West Michigan beers, hot cider and an adult cocktail. Dance with music from Deep Greens & Blues in the barn. A great time for families, friends and anyone wanting to enjoy the fall at Meijer Gardens!

 

  • Fall Bonsai Show

West Michigan Bonsai Club

October 5–6, Saturday, 10 am–5 pm; Sunday, 11 am–5 pm

FEE: Free

See a variety of bonsai on display, from trees in early stages of training to lovely older trees. Watch bonsai artists at work and shop for bonsai trees as well as bonsai tools and supplies.

 

  • Fall Family Day

Saturday, October 12, 1–4 pm

FEE: Included with admission

Visit the Children’s Garden for fall family fun. Activities include something for all your senses--—listen to fall-inspired tunes and autumn-themed stories, view a fiber arts demo and create a scent-sational herb and flower journal. Create a unique nature-inspired costume to take on a hands-on naturalist walk all about the shapes of leaves.

 

  • Mum Day

Sunday, October 20, 1–4 pm

FEE: Included with admission

Enjoy tours and demonstrations led by members of the horticulture department and learn more about the fascinating chrysanthemum and other fall themed plantings.

 

  • Hallowee-ones

Friday, October 25, 10 am–12 pm (parades at 10:15 and 11:15 am)

FEE: Included with admission

Get creative at this special event designed for our youngest visitors! Dress your child as a sculpture, mammal, fish, insect, bird, tree, flower, geologist or in any other way that highlights something about the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Participate in a costume parade and listen to Halloween-themed stories. Celebrate Halloween with your wee-ones. No tricks, no treats, just fun!

 

Chrysanthemums & More! at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Chrysanthemums & More! at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park /Photo courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is pleased to present the annual fall horticulture exhibition, Chrysanthemums & More! opening to the public on September 20. This exhibition, the largest of its kind in Michigan, features expansive displays of chrysanthemums, fall foliage and family-friendly activities. The exhibition will be on display through October 27.  

Experience formal garden displays with modern touches. Indoor and outdoor areas feature unique displays focused on blocks of color with a unique color palette. Colorful plantings like ‘Cherry Spice’ orange mums and ‘Rainbow’ chard are paired with ‘Red Kuri’ squash and lime green apples, artfully arranged to create bold patterns. This exhibition is a feast for the eyes, displaying the versatility of the magnificent mum and much more.

 “Our theme this year is ‘Art of the Chrysanthemum’,” explained Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture. “While we always dream up and deliver dynamic displays of fall’s best flowers and foliage, this year’s horticultural artistry is more contemporary than classic. Specialty chrysanthemums take on intentionally modern forms which include intriguing groups of single hues and textures in vivid varieties and layered plantings.”

Visitors will be greeted with vibrant displays of chrysanthemums from the moment that they arrive and delighted by abundant floral arrangements of these bold blooms as they walk through the scenic corridor inside of the main building. Upon entering the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, a floor-to-ceiling chrysanthemum display will unfold as a focal point. Presentations of a five-sphere topiary, large disbuds and beds of colorful plantings will complement this feature in the nearby Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor. Outdoors, expansive beds of lush chrysanthemums will be arranged in large sweeps of color and will be balanced by a variety of ornamental plantings.

Activities including the Fall Bonsai Show, Giant Pumpkins and Hallowee-Ones are full of family fun throughout the exhibition. Mum Day on October 20 will give visitors a chance to take a walking tour led by horticulture staff, enjoy informational demonstrations and learn more about the chrysanthemum.  

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