Who doesn’t remember the movie, “The Wizard of Oz?” Whether you feared the flying monkeys or were wary of the Wicked Witch, there was no way you could forget this movie masterpiece. According to my Mother, I was terrified of the flying monkeys—something I shared with millions of other 6 year-olds, I’m sure. But for me, the most memorable scene was when Dorothy and her friends found themselves smack-dab in the middle of a poppy field on their way to Emerald City. My memory had completely blocked out the Wicked Witch’s poppy poisoning attempt. I figured that they all fell asleep because they felt so happy and content surrounded by thousands of silky flowers! For me, it was like Grandma’s lap, Christmas morning and the first bite of your chocolate bunny all rolled into one.

Join a Plant Society to Visit Fields of Flowers

Fast forward several decades to my first sight of a commercial peony field. I even had my little dog, too. Madeline, the Shih Tzu mix and my husband traveled north with me in search of fragrant peonies. I was thrilled to meet the folks at a large peony breeder and grower in Wisconsin who were willing to show me around, taking sniffs and snapping photos as I went. The peony field was even larger than the one leading up to Emerald City. We actually had to drive along the rows.

I found several fragrant peonies. I later found more in Minnesota in the fields of one of the few organic peony growers in the country. And I guess you could say I’ve been attempting to recreate the feeling several times a year as I travel to display gardens, u-pick flower farms, growers’ fields, and botanic gardens. Some have been of a “behind the scenes” nature, but most are open to the public on a regular basis. One way to learn the low-down and see fields of flowers is to join a plant society that focuses on your favorite.

Flower Farms

Flower farms have been cropping up just within the past few years. I’ve been seeking them out in my own proverbial backyard. Mid-summer offers up daisies of all kinds. I love the Shastas to the cone flowers, peonies, lupine, foxglove and larkspur and poppies. In late summer and fall come the phlox, goldenrod, asters, mums and Dahlias, just to name a few. Some flower growers offer u-pick by appointment, some accept drop-ins, and others sell pre-picked bouquets only or offer flower subscriptions. It’s a good idea to check their websites or Facebook pages to see which they prefer, what to bring and their open hours. One thing most flower farms have in common is that they aren’t easy to find, but are well worth every twisting turn and rutted road. Make sure you have their phone number handy on the trip so you can call when you get lost.

Michigan Cut Flower Farms

These six farms offered u-pick in 2015. Check to make sure that is still the case in 2016 before arriving.

1. Hamilton Dahlia Farm (616) 218-7666, janet@hamiltondahliafarm.com Check website for directions in Hamilton, MI
2. Holmestead Farms, 2102 West Long Lake Rd. Traverse City, MI 49685 (231) 668-7482
3. Kiteley’s Farm Market, 3805 Brock Road, Charlevoix, MI 49720, (231) 547-2318 kiteleyfarms@hotmail.com, http://www.kiteleyfarms.com/
4. Lavender Hill Farm, 1219 Morris Dr., Niles, MI 49120, 269-684-0123
5. Michigan Flower Farm, 22460 Garfield Rd. Northville, MI 48167, (248) 390-7266.
6. Omena Cut Flowers, 12401 E Freeland Rd, Suttons Bay, MI 49682, seven miles north of Suttons Bay on M-22 in Leelanau County (sign visible along M-22). faught3@aol.com (231)883-8327

“Lavender Hill Farm” Photo Credit: Jean Starr

One of the most spectacular flower farms I visited was Hamilton Dahlia Farm. Imagine the bright crayon colors of this in-your-face flower as far as the eye can see. While I was there, a bride and her attendants carried buckets and clippers along the rows, choosing flowers in the bride’s colors and style. I was there to take photos, so I didn’t partake in the picking, but I could have if I’d been prepared with containers and cash. (Most growers don’t have the ability to accept credit cards, so cash is always welcome.)

“Hamilton Dahlia Farm” Photo Credit: Jean Starr

While I was there I visited with a florist who was filling her van with buckets of Dahlias. She had a couple of weddings she was buying for and customers who came in for bouquets each week. Florists throughout the country have embraced this fresh flower approach. While some prefer the consistent look of imported blooms, others appreciate that some flowers just don’t travel well and like to have a local outlet available.

Grower Field Days

If you’ve longed to visit Provence and the iconic lavender fields, but don’t have time or money, the next best thing can be found in Niles, Michigan at Lavender Hill Farm. Owner, Martha Wilczynski’s farm boasts the perfect soil for lavender. They offer pre-cut bundles or pick your own during the season. The season for lavender in the Midwest varies like the region’s temperatures. It’s a must to check the status before getting in the car!

Many growers offer field days during the bloom season so that we can visit, and see in person, what a flower looks like before choosing to plant it in our own gardens. Early in the summer, you can find displays of peonies and iris (Hostas are at their peak during this time as well). Mid-summer brings on daylilies, Dahlias, Lavender and roses.

Gardens

1. Roses, peonies and irises can be seen in a garden setting at Cooley Gardens, 213 West Main Street at Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI, (517)483-4332 or 483-4277.
2. Dahlia Hill, 2809 Orchard Drive, Midland, MI 48640 (989)631-0100.
3. Iris Warehouse is a working nursery that displays more than 1,000 varieties of iris. Call before visiting, 1903 Culver Hill Drive, Williamston, MI 48895, (517) 655-9222.
4. The Display Garden on Suncrest is a small yet colorful garden adjacent to the Lapeer County Medical Care Facility. It might not be worth a detour, but it’s nice to know it’s there, it is handicap accessible, is open daily dawn to dusk, and contains small collections of Hostas, Heucheras and Hydrangeas . 1455 Suncrest Drive, Lapeer, MI.
5. Hidden Lake Gardens features a huge Hosta collection, all labeled so that you can decide which of the 800+ varieties to plant in your home garden. 6214 Monroe Road (M50) Tipton, Michigan 49287, (517) 431-2060
6. The Peony Garden at University of Michigan has the largest peony collection in the country. The garden is located within Nichols Arboretum, 1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (734)647-7600.
7. Veldheer Tulip Farm 12755 Quincy Street, Holland, MI 49424 (616) 399-1900.
8. Windmill Island Gardens, 1 Lincoln Avenue, Holland MI 49423, (888) 535-5792

All America Selections Gardens offer an overview of the latest annual flowers and vegetables. Two public gardens in Michigan are great places to see these annual plants:

• Dow Gardens, 1809 Eastman Avenue, Midland, MI 48640
• Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens, 1066 Bogue Street, East Lansing MI 48824, (517) 355-5191 Ext 1359. A map of the gardens is available.

I really enjoy visiting these gardens and growers’ fields. How did I find them? A Google search is my first foray into the hidden world of plants. I’ve made lists of “must see” spots around a vacation destination, and I visit Michigan several times each year.