Viewfinder: The Colors of Spring

We have made it to March in Michigan with hopes that spring is around the corner.  In my yard, some plants have poked their heads above the dirt in anticipation of feeling the warm sun on their tiny buds. I think they have forgotten they are in Michigan! With winter storms still a possibility, we have gone on a search of the local flower shops and garden centers in Brighton to find color and a touch of spring.

For all of those out there who are anxious to get something pretty in the front yard both Chris Meier, of , and Julie Clore, of , recommend we spend our energy preparing our yards for the future beauty. There are many things we can do to get our yards ready such as pulling old mulch out of flower beds, trimming rose bushes and cutting the grass back from the edges of where we have flowers planted.

We, as consumers, are just now thinking about spring but the florist shops with greenhouses have been thinking about this since January.

"Once the poinsettias leave the greenhouse after Christmas we get started germinating seeds," Julie Clore said. "They need two to three weeks to grow and then we, by hand, move all of the seedlings into the flats."

Eric Meier said, "We grow everything from scratch, none of what we have is bought."

If you are itching to have some color in your home and cannot wait for warmer weather then cut flowers might be your option.

Chris Wicinski, head designer for the Meier flower shop says, "To keep your flowers looking their best longer recut the stems and it give them fresh water every couple of days. If the ends have turned black then they no longer can receive water." 

Whether you live on the east side of Brighton or the west, there is a flower shop or garden center near you to fulfill that need for color. Some of the other shops in town are and .