MACKINAC ISLAND, MI — Spring bloom is in full swing on Michigan’s most iconic island, as vibrant colors begin to fill the hidden gardens of Grand Hotel.
The Secret Garden area outside Mackinac Island’s famous Grand Hotel has captivated visitors since 2018. With its vibrant colors and intricate design, it has become a popular destination for photographers, flower enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates beauty with a touch of whimsy.
An orange-belted bumblebee pollinates Grape Hyacinths at the Grand Hotel’s “Secret Garden” begins to bloom on Mackinac Island, Mich. on Friday, May 16, 2025. The garden is made up of thousands of grape hyacinths, tulips and a variety of alliums. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com
A bridge across a “river” of grape hyacinths at the Grand Hotel’s “Secret Garden” begins to bloom on Mackinac Island, Mich. on Friday, May 16, 2025. The garden is made up of thousands of grape hyacinths, tulips and a variety of alliums.Joel Bissell | MLive.com
Tucked within a cedar grove, the hidden area was designed to amaze, though it requires a keen eye to discover the garden’s entrance path.
And this year’s eye-catching display is as impressive as ever. Its most distinctive feature is the curving woodland “river” of small, deep purple hyacinths that “flow” under a wooden bridge – a perfect backdrop for photos. This purple pathway is edged by jewel-colored tulips and bright daffodils, which tend to last into early summer due to the island’s climate.
The Grand Hotel’s “Secret Garden” begins to bloom on Mackinac Island, Mich. on Friday, May 16, 2025. The garden is made up of thousands of grape hyacinths, tulips and a variety of alliums. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com
A sea of grape hyacinths at the Grand Hotel’s “Secret Garden” begins to bloom on Mackinac Island, Mich. on Friday, May 16, 2025. The garden is made up of thousands of grape hyacinths, tulips and a variety of alliums. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com
The Grand Hotel’s “Secret Garden” begins to bloom on Mackinac Island, Mich. on Friday, May 16, 2025. The garden is made up of thousands of grape hyacinths, tulips and a variety of alliums. Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com
The secret garden debuted in 2018, after dozens of trailer loads of landscaping debris were cleared from the site and the resort’s garden team decided that a forgotten area needed to be remade into something special.
The Starry Night Garden returns to bloom on the grounds of the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan on Friday, May 16, 2025. Drew Butterfield, Director of Grounds at Grand Hotel, designed the garden with inspiration from his favorite painting, Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night. The 200 Square foot garden consists of 8,000 hyacinth bulbs in hues of purple, white, and yellow.Joel Bissell | Jbissell@mlive.com
Also returning to bloom this year is the nearby “Starry Night” garden, a passion project of Drew Butterfield, senior director of grounds for the Mackinac Island resort.
READ MORE: Thousands of flowers bloom into beautiful ‘Starry Night’ garden on Mackinac Island
Butterfield created the 200-square-foot garden area, after planting 4,500 hyacinth bulbs in shades of white, blue, yellow and purple to mimic the background and colorful swirls of the 1889 iconic painting by artist Vincent van Gogh.
In the video below you can see an aerial video showing the before and after of “Starry Night” garden.