Frederik Meijer Gardens continues annual holiday tradition

On December 23, 26-28 and 30, Frederik Meijer Gardens will be extending its hours until 9 p.m. Currently on display are over 40 Christmas trees strung in lights and decorated in various ornamentation that reflect cultures worldwide. The display in located throughout the main corridor.

In addition, both the Victorian Garden and Seasonal Display Greenhouse have been transformed into a model train set loosely mimicking the city of Grand Rapids. Many recognizable and well know buildings are modeled out of natural materials intricately weaving together wood, leaves, bark, moss and stone to create miniature Grand Rapids landmarks.

This is the 19th year that Meijer Gardens has created its Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World Display.

Currently the indoor sculpture room features glasswork from 25 artists. The artwork selected comes from around the world and consists of sculptural and installation pieces that are both contemporary and genre-challenging. Shattered: Contemporary Sculpture in Glass runs until January 5.

Also housed in the building is the Arid Garden that contains many desert plant species including a variety of cacti, agave and aloe plants. Adjacent to the Arid room is the small Carnivorous Plant House packed with varieties from around the world.

Meijer Gardens boasts the largest Tropical Conservatory in Michigan measuring over five stories. It contains a waterfall, banana and coconut trees, a variety of palms, tropical birds, quail and a large collection of orchids among other plant and flower species. In the spring the conservatory is filled with hundred of butterflies of all different species.