Detroit Garden Works hosted the first day of its annual spring garden fair yesterday. In 2010, we decided to sponsor a spring fair for a a few good reasons. Rob has shopped overseas for Detroit Garden Works for 18 years. In fact, we just had a container from Belgium arrive a few days ago. In his travels, he has had occasion to attend garden fairs in a number of different countries, in spring summer and fall. The European fairs feature growers of plants, vegetables and fruits. Some fairs have chickens for sale, or mushrooms in season. People of a gardening persuasion have a chance to gather over a coffee and a little something to eat.
We are firmly behind celebrating the spring season. Michigan winters are long and hard. This past winter was a record breaking heartbreak. Once nature suggests that the winter is about to be over, we like to celebrate. Last year’s fair proceeded as scheduled despite very cold temperatures, and snow flurries. 11 vendors representing topiary plants, spring flowering shrubs and tree peonies, cut flowers, spring container plants, herbs, wildflowers, spring flowering perennials including an extensive collection of hellebore cultivars, tools, succulents, spring wreaths, dry and preserved materials-I believe I even saw a strelitizia in bloom.
Spring was in the air. Yesterday was the best weather we have had in 6 months. The day was marked by lots of sunshine, warm temperatures, and lots of smiles. Even though we provide valet parking as so many people attend this event, lots of people parked blocks away and walked. The day was that nice. If you plan to come to the fair today, and park your own car, be advised that no cars can be parked blocking the bike path that is a bridge over Telegraph. When in doubt, let the valet people park your car.
Of course there was plenty of talk about the ruins of our winter, but there is nothing like an incredibly bad winter to make the experience of the first spring day so welcome. Liberating. We had as many people outdoors walking the shop grounds as indoors. We’ll be open today from 14 to 4. If you have a mind to, come to the fair.
parrot tulips
pots of grape hyacinths
bunches of sweet peas
spring fair
daffodils and hyacinths
Juliet roses
potted pansies and violas
spring container planting with dianthus and violas
Come to the fair!
box of daffodils
cut pale pink parrot tulips with variegated leaves
the Weed Lady booth
cineraria and moss phlox from Bogie Lake greenhouse
pots of miniature daffodils
Spring it on.
Lovely…wish I could have been there!
Dear Laurin, we would have loved having you. Thanks for reading, Deborah
So happy to see spring has come to Detroit
Dear Maryanne, it was 70 degrees at 6am, and will be 30 degrees late in the day, with 2 inches of snow on the way. Typical Michigan! Thanks, Deborah
Had a great day at the spring fair….What a treasure to see everything blooming!
The flowers were great-I couldn’t get enough of them. Thanks, Deborah
Beautiful ! Everything looks so fresh and pretty. Wish you had a west coast location!
Dear Mary, I would not have the faintest idea of what to do on the west coast, but it’s great to be able to hear from gardeners from all over. Some gardening issues are the same, no matter where they come from. Thanks, Deborah
What a treat for your customers but also for you and your staff to see so many smiling faces. Spring it would seem has finally ‘sprung’…. hallelujah.
Jean,a happier group I have never seen! Thanks, Deborah
A site for sore eyes!
Thanks for this description, Christine! loved it. Best, Deborah
Dear Deborah,
How good it was to see you, “the shop” and the gang at your Spring Fair yesterday. Of course the highlight was catching up with you, viewing progress on your incredible projects (the new fountains) and just plain commiserating. It would have been fun to purchase all of J Costello’s gorgeous Julliet Roses, Sweet Peas and Peonies. We did OK filling our vehicle with flats of Pansies, pots of Hellebores, assorted branches and materials, etc. for the drive home to Cleveland. So glad we made the trip ~ loved every minute!
Gerry and Silvia
Dear Silvia, all that Jody had left by Sunday’s end was a bunch of delphiniums- which she gave to me. Her flowers were incredibly beautiful, definitely not the ordinary stems pone sees everywhere. Thanks so much for making the trip-it was a treat to see the both of you. All the best, Deborah
In the picture of the Weed Lady Booth, there are several paper mache figures dancing…..are those for sale and if so can they be mailed. I have one like that and have been looking all over for one for my daughter. Your blog and shop are wonderful.
Thanks ,
Pam Bustamante
Dear Pam, I gave them your email address-they will contact you. They told me that the woman who makes those figures is in her nineties now-and still making them. Thanks, Deborah
So nice that you had a true Spring day for your celebration!
Dear Linda, I told everyone that we had ordered up the weather special for this event. We all had a good laugh over that!! Deborah
Friendly spirit & wonderful flower, plants & other products at the Spring Fair today! Spring really started this weekend!
Looks like a wonderful way to feed the gardener hunger that has been building up over the past couple of months. I, too, have a joyful gardening lady figurine which always makes me smile when I catch sight of it. Mine is over 15 years old so I can attest that they last!
Dear Michaele, spring was in the air in a big way. Thanks, Deborah
We had the perfect gardening girlfriend road trip here to DGW Spring Garden Fair 2014 today! Loved The Weed Lady, Heavenly Scent Herb Farm and Bogie Lake Greenhouse…went home with bundles of must-have colorful French Parrot Tulips from J. Costello Designs. Terrific woodland plants from Starr Foster and baby perennials from GWN~ So much fun to see color and visit with many shopping gardeners. Thank you for hosting this celebratory spring event DGW, Bravo!
Dear Julia, I have an awesome picture of you, carrying all those red and yellow parrot tulips. I’ll send it along. We had a great fair, and all of our visiting businesses were already talking about next year! Good to see you, thanks, Deborah
Always see or learn something new from your post. I’ve never seen or heard of Juliet roses. I thought they were peony. It all looks so lovely! Lynn
Dear Lynn, the Juliet rose is a garden rose grown for the cut flower trade. The development of this variety is an interesting story. They are beautiful, aren’t they? Thanks, Deborah
Dear Deborah,
As I sit here in Belize and read and enjoy your delightful web posts, I believe I’m finally ready to head back to Michigan for the spring gardens! I’ve never been ready to leave the wonderful weather here before, but after viewing your pictures of your spring open house, I’m now anxious to get home earlier than usual. You’ve succeeded in making me anxious to get my hands in the dirt and to see what has survived the harsh winter there. I called a friend who helps me garden there and asked removing the rose cones and gently removing the fall leaves from the emerging bulbs and blooming snow drops, crocus and hyacinths. Must return soon to glimpse the new 800 tulip bulbs planted last early November. Can’t wait! Thanks for the excitement!