Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is pleased to present its annual fall horticulture exhibition, Chrysanthemums & More!, opening to the public September 15. Michigan’s largest exhibition of its kind features expansive displays of chrysanthemums, fall foliage, and family-friendly activities. Chrysanthemums & More! will be on display September 15 through October 30. 

photo courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park 

This annual fall exhibition—a perennial favorite—spans thousands of blossoms across 158 sprawling acres. Chrysanthemums & More! will surprise and delight, with a focus on abundant autumn plantings arranged in intriguing and uncommon color combinations. It’s the quintessential fall flower like you’ve never seen it before! Prepare to be amazed by how the mighty mum takes shape at Meijer Gardens this autumn. Now in its 25th year, this beloved fall exhibition remains a member and guest must-see and is the largest of its kind in Michigan.  Immerse yourself in a living landscape of rich textures and warm hues. As you explore the gardens and grounds, indoors and out, take special note of the locations noted below to appreciate all the grand and striking detail of this year's Autumn Tapestry theme.

Plentiful plantings in the Grand Entry Garden, Welcome Center, and Gunberg and BISSELL Corridors showcase the chrysanthemum through the artistry of many designers, among them Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park horticulture staff. In the BISSELL Corridor, a different local floral designer each week will create a singular arrangement highlighting the chrysanthemum as its primary element. Local florists include Big City Vibes, Ball Park Floral & Gifts, Kennedy's Flowers & Gifts, Horrocks Market, Dahlia Acres Farms and Gumina’s Flowers. Of equal note are stunning displays in the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, Earl & Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor, and Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, each lush and lovely.

Photo by Johnny Quirin 

Outdoors, treat your senses with a trek into the crisp fall air. Venture onto the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden, with its seasonal wetland views. Then make your way to the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden: Its cornucopia of chrysanthemums intermingles with nontraditional autumn plantings to form a quilt-like tapestry. Continue to Michigan’s Farm Garden, where the abundant autumn harvest boasts heirloom vegetables, herbs, gourds and larger-than-life pumpkins. This example of a working 1930s family farm occasionally provides some of its more than 40 varieties of produce for our James & Shirley Balk Café.

Photo by Johnny Quirin 

"This autumn, join us as we weave an Autumn Tapestry both inside and out," said Steve LaWarre, Vice President of Horticulture. "View artfully manipulated patterns of chrysanthemums and enjoy a multitude of textures provided by ornamental cabbage, kale, pumpkins, grasses, gourds—and more!"

Activities throughout the exhibition, including Tuesdays at the Farm, Glow Garden and Hallowee-Ones, are full of family fun.

Visit MeijerGardens.org for a full listing of events. 

photo by Johnny Quirin 

Chrysanthemums & More! Exhibition Programming:

Programs and events are complimentary and registration is not required.

• Fashion and Nature
Sunday, September 24 | 2–3 pm
Andrea Melvin and Cory Redman, Grand Rapids Public Museum

Join curators of GRPM’s current Fashion and Nature exhibition as they explore the intersection of the natural world and textiles and highlight the sustainability and environmental impact of the fashion industry, in this lecture-style presentation.

• Weaving with Nature
Sunday, October 1 | 2–3 pm
Woodland Weavers & Spinners – Fiber Arts Guild

Join members of the local Woodland Weavers & Spinners as they share how the natural world inspires their fiber art and explore the Fiber Arts Guild’s Bridging the Peninsulas installation displayed in a classroom. Additional information about Ability Weavers in Lowell will be available. 

• Autumn Tapestry Exhibition Walkthrough
Sunday, October 22 | 2–3 pm

Learn what it takes to put together Chrysanthemums & More!, how we care for the plants in our collection and rotate them seasonally, and how the design and theme are determined. Take a guided tour of chrysanthemum displays as Eve Boyer, Curator of Horticultural & Environmental Education at Meijer Gardens, highlights elements of the exhibition.

Plant Show Series:
Events are complimentary and registration is not required.

• Fall Bonsai Show
Presented by the West Michigan Bonsai Club
October 7 and 8 | Saturday, 10 am–5 pm | Sunday, 11 am–5 pm

See a variety of bonsai on display, from trees in early stages of training to lovely older trees. Watch bonsai artists at work and shop for bonsai trees, bonsai tools and supplies. 

Other Programming:
These events are included in the cost of admission and registration is not required. 

• Tuesdays at the Farm and Glow Garden
September 19 and 26 and October 3 | 5–8:30 pm

Spend select Tuesday evenings in the Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden and Michigan’s Farm Garden—back by popular demand! Our Glow Garden is a magical walk through an illuminated forest, filled with pumpkins hand etched by local artist Alynn Guerra. The adventure continues in Michigan’s Farm Garden, with down on the farm family fun featuring pumpkin carving demonstrations, live music, a Balk Café pop-up and adult beverages. Feast your eyes on our vibrant harvest of heirloom vegetables, herbs, gourds and larger-than-life pumpkins until 9 pm. Bring the kids and stay up late with us!

Glow Garden

• Fall Family Day
Saturday, October 7 | 1–4 pm

Visit the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden for fabulous fall family fun. Participate in activities such as fall-inspired tunes and stories, and go on a naturalist walk to highlight this awesome season.

• Hallowee-ones
Friday, October 20 | 10 am–12 pm
Parade begins at 10:15 am

Get creative at this special event, designed for our youngest visitors! Dress your child as a sculpture, fish, or flower, or in any other way that highlights the Children’s Garden! Participate in a costume parade, then celebrate with your wee ones as you listen to Halloween-themed stories and go on a Halloween Hunt. No tricks. No treats. Just fun!

Photo by Johnny Quirin

The Chrysanthemums & More! exhibition is made possible by:

The Meijer Foundation
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation
Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Michigan Arts & Culture Council, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts
Townsquare Media

All information contained herein courtesy and copyright Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park