A Gardener's Vacation

A couple of weeks ago, the hubby and I traveled two hours from our Northern Indiana home to Grand Rapids, Michigan.  We were taking a well deserved long weekend vacation.  Our itineraries differed slightly (Grand Rapids was just voted Beer City USA, again.) but I did get to visit the #1 place on my list--the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. An amazing place!  It covers 132 acres with both indoor and outdoor gardens.  There are paved walking paths or you can take a tour on the tram system.  We walked the grounds and it took an hour to hour and a half, so be prepared to spend at least half a day there.

I think we spent the most time in the indoor gardens--the carnivorous garden, the arid garden and the truly amazing tropical garden.

 These plants are called living stones because they truly look like little pebbles.

Bamboo growing indoors!

 Beautiful Orchids!

Maybe someday the plant on my desk at work will look this this croton!






There are gardens especially designed for children.  Their own area has a farmer's garden, a butterfly garden, a labyrinth for them to follow.  And the latest trend in gardening--the living picture.

There are several waterfalls.  This is one of the side waterfalls.  The main waterfall had a group of art students drawing that day and we didn't want to disturb them.

And the sculptures.  They range from artsy to whimsical.  A few of my favorites were:

Star Wars, anyone?

I need one of these!

Mirror image

But the most amazing sculpture of all was of the American Horse!  Pictures do not do it justice.  It is absolutely HUGE!

If you are ever in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area.  You have to make time to visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens.  The perfect way to spend part of a day.  We need to go back.  We didn't take nearly enough pictures!