As a native Michigander, fall has always been my favorite season. There is nothing quite like the smell of a cider mill, the changing colors, and football games.
But the older I become, I appreciate spring in new ways. There is something to be said about everything kind of coming back to life. Spiritual, if you will, but it has also become somewhat nostalgic for me when it comes to picking out and planting flowers.
We’d love to see your flowers, too! Please share your photos on MIPics!
When you can plant this year
The rule of thumb growing up was to not plant until Memorial Day. It always felt like a little bit of a stretch, but now as a meteorologist, I understand the data behind it.
When it comes to our climatology, the latest spring freeze recorded at Metro Airport was May 29 (in 1966). So, historically speaking, there is a chance that we could get a freeze or frost all the way through late May.
But with a warming climate, we have seen trends shifting. This year is no exception. In fact, coming off of a warmer-than-average second half of April, an overall warmer-than-average start to May, and a long-range outlook (by the Climate Prediction Center) keeping the temperature trend across Lower Michigan above average, we should be safe to plant this weekend, just in time for Mother’s Day, which for me feels a little apropos.
Memories of planting flowers
I have so many memories as a child of driving downriver with my mother to Schwartz’s Greenhouse and being mesmerized by all the bold and beautiful flowers.
My mom and dad would plant several flats of impatiens and New Guinea impatiens each year, and it became a tradition for my mom and me to make the commute down I-275 and Sibley Road to pick out our yearly selection.
Even at a young age, my mom would always let me have input on what color combination we would plant each year, and I think that truly sparked my love for flowers.
Just like my mom, I plant many flats of impatiens. I sprinkle in New Guinea impatien hanging baskets, along with pots and troughs filled with geraniums.
It all depends on the area of the yard. I’ve learned what works well in sunlight and shade. But let me tell you: You simply can’t beat Schwartz’s New Guinea impatien baskets for the quality and price. In fact, when I moved down to Ohio several years ago, I would drive back to Schwartz’s in Romulus to buy flowers in the spring with my mom and drive them all the way back to Central Ohio!
You can take the girl out of Michigan, but you can’t take Michigan out of the girl!
Now, my mom and I bring my daughter along with us as we make our annual trip down I-275 to the greenhouse. It has become a tradition that I look forward to continuing with my daughter for many years to come.
But as someone who works in Downtown Detroit, I would be remiss to not take advantage of Eastern Market, too. I’m not one for crowds, so Flower Day hasn’t ever been my thing, but since returning to Local 4 a couple of years ago, I discovered the Flower Tuesday Market.
Gardening traditions
I find myself going to Sheds 5 & 6 nearly every Tuesday in May, which is less crowded and filled with so many wonderful plants. Even when I think I am done buying for the season, there is always something else that catches my eye and finds its way home into my yard.
This is where I started to explore new species of flowers, like Lantana and Phlox, in hopes of luring hummingbirds and butterflies into my garden. I also find hydrangeas fascinating in how the colors of their blooms are influenced by the pH of the soil. I digress. I guess that is the science nerd in me.
I don’t claim to be a gardening expert by any means, but I do think that I have a little bit of a green thumb, and at the end of the day, the blooms in my yard are therapeutic — a place where I like to relax and enjoy the beauty and memories the season brings.
Whether it is a fresh bouquet, a pot of perennials or a basket of annuals, maybe consider giving the mom(s) in your life flowers this Mother’s Day. Unless of course, they are allergic! 😊
Happy planting to all of my fellow flower enthusiasts, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the great moms out there! You should be celebrated every day.
Photos
Here are some photos of Ashlee’s flowers!
Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)Some of Ashlee Baracy’s flowers. (WDIV)
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.