A visit to Meijer Gardens ~ 5/27/16

Being a member, I come here often and sometimes just for a place to walk. This spring has been particularly beautiful with the cherry blossoms blooming in the Japanese Garden. The cherry blossoms are now finished but there's always something else making an appearance. This afternoon I carried an umbrella as I was greeted by this sky.

But the gray clouds moved along and before I left the sun returned to really steam things up. First thing out of the building I was greeted by this row of rhododendrons, and how splendid they are.

The trees in the Japanese Garden have greened up and everywhere you look the view is spectacular,

 and reflections mirror the beauty of nature including the passing, gray skies.

Check out these two photos from 3/25/16:

And two from 4/29:

 Today rhododendrons and azaleas are starring.

Vivid color is everywhere.

How could anyone resist walking down this inviting path?

The earlier rain had driven most people away so I was lucky enough to enjoy these moments in solitude.

Iris are also taking their turn throughout the gardens.

You'll see a variety of different things in bloom each time you visit,

but the Iron Tree and American Horse will always be there for you.

  12 seconds of this cool water feature

Meijer Gardens ~ 10/30/14

Each visit begins with a walk on the boardwalk, after a quick stop in the gallery. Today the gallery still contained the ArtPrize exhibit.

Creepy feather girl ~

But I came here for the outdoors, and Meijer Gardens rarely disappoints. They know how to do color.

Today preparations were underway for Christmas.

This item must be someone's idea of a joke because it's certainly not up to the Garden's usual standards :-)

Off on the Boardwalk.

Mansions across the lagoon that are usually hidden are slowly revealed as winter approaches.

The boardwalk offers ever-changing scenery and a tranquil place to walk. Today the leaves were evenly distributed between the trees and the water/ground.

Suddenly I heard of lot of splashing and saw this group of ducks move en masse from one end of the lagoon to another. That was a fun moment.

Past the farm, the Japanese Garden continues to develop. The 8 acre park is scheduled to open in June of 2015 and I think it's going to be magnificent. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Aria by Liberman was stunning in its surrounding fall color.

Next stop was the waterfall, and as throughout the rest of the Gardens, I was surprised how much brilliant fall color was still around.

A circle around the pond at B-Tree II brought more.

Lying Man is waiting for the Summer Season to begin, and here's a view from the stage.

Neuron looks great in any season, and American Horse was for once all alone.

A quick walk through the Children's Garden found these clever creations.

The Chief Horticulturist, Ian, is Scottish :-)

Although the butterflies are no more, the greenhouse has interesting plants and birds to see. The birds were too fast for me today but the plants posed nicely.

Here's a few photos from The Perennial Garden.

A beautiful sculpture that many people may not notice is the one under their feet, "Beneath the Leafy Crown" by Michele Oka Doner. It's a creative and unique floor that's not to be missed.

After two hours and miles walked, it was time to go. I found this last rose of summer in the parking lot. There is beauty everywhere, and especially at Meijer Gardens.