Best Places To See Spring Flowers In Metro Detroit

The Nichols Arboretum, or "The Arb" as it's more commonly called, is located on the University of Michigan's campus and has a few entrances, one of which is behind the Markley residence hall. Make sure to keep an eye out for the peony garden, Gateway Garden of New World Plants and the magnolia glen, which is filled with flowers. Other entrances to the Arb include Geddes Avenue, where you'll find the gates to the park and the river entry (where the Huron River enters the Arb).

The Lafayette Greens community garden was started a few years ago, and was taken over by Greening of Detroit in April 2014 from Compuware. In the summer, the garden hosts free night classes as well, such as belly dancing, gardening and yoga. The gardens are maintained by volunteers, and any food that the garden grows is shared with Gleaners Community Food Bank, as well as Freedom House. The gardens have tons of flowers to see too, as well as sculptures throughout.

The Henry Ford Estate is the former home of Clara and Henry Ford, who lived there from 1915 through 1950. When Clara passed away, the home was given to Ford Motor Company, and in 1957, it was donated to the University of Michigan to construct the Dearborn campus. In June 2013, the University transferred ownership to the Henry Ford Estate, Inc., a new non-profit corporation that will reopen the estate. The estate's gardens are open year-round to the public and are open Monday through Friday, until 6 p.m. Admission and on-site parking are free. The estate's historic buildings are closed for renovation right now, but will be opened on a limited basis for pre-arranged group tours only.

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One wouldn't normally think to find an actual flower display in a cemetery, but White Chapel presents an annual tulip display that is worth checking out. The cemetery showcases over 36,000 tulips, including some blooms that are new and rare to find; these have been imported from Holland. Some of its varieties from its 2015 display included the Giantor sunset (largest tulip in existence), the renown, the Russian princess, the sky high scarlet, the ballerina and the Camarque. You can check White Chapel's website for its tulip guide, as well as a map to help plan your tulip-viewing route.

Meadow Brook Hall was built by Matilda Dodge Wilson (widow of John Dodge, an auto pioneer) and Alfred Wilson, her second husband. Its construction was finished in 1929 after taking three years to build, and it was an estate that had 1,500 acres, farm buildings, rec facilities and formal gardens. Meadow Brook daily tour tickets can be purchased for $15 (adults), $10 (seniors 62+), $10 (OU faculty, staff, and alumni, with ID) and admission is free for OU/Cooley students, children ages 12 and under and Meadow Brook Hall members; tickets can be bought in the museum store located inside the Hall, and tour reservations are not required.

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