Autumn hues bring on ColorFall

Courtesy Photo / Google Images
The changing weather and leaves make Colorfall at the Meijer Gardens an enjoyable tour

Courtesy Photo / Google Images The changing weather and leaves make Colorfall at the Meijer Gardens an enjoyable tour

Maya Soter

The annual horticulture exhibition started on Sept. 17 and will continue through Halloween at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.

The main focal point of the exhibition will include thousands of chrysanthemums in both the interior and exterior venues in the gardens.

Alan Langlois, a seven-year volunteer at Meijer Gardens, informs guests about annual exhibits.

“We have the largest display of chrysanthemums in Michigan,” Langlois said.

This year the gardens added 15 percent more to their display in tribute to its 15-year anniversary.

About 30 constellations of chrysanthemum spheres will hang from the ceiling in the Seasonal Display Greenhouse and mingle along the Scenic Corridor and throughout the building. Chrysanthemums, or mums, have 13 different classifications and can range in color from yellows, pinks, reds, whites, bronzes and lavenders.

Bonsai trees from the Meijer Gardens’ permanent collection will also be showcased against the contrasting flowers.

“I went to see the Chihuly exhibit but it was nice to have all of the brightly colored flowers line the halls of the gardens,” said Grand Valley State University student Tanner Olvitt. The Chihuly glass artist exhibit will also continue until Oct. 31.

ColorFall holds daily 30-minute tours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour includes a mini scavenger hunt that aims for participants to discover a variety of colors found in tree parts.

Another interactive event geared towards preschoolers is the Leaf Lookers. Children are invited for a 45-minute study on the different concepts or sizes, shapes, colors and counting and measurement of a variety of leaves.

“The beauty of ColorFall at Frederick Meijer is the beautiful colors throughout the displays,” Langlois said.

The exhibition provides many different accompanying events through the month of October. There will be a Fall Bonsai Show presenting trees grown by members of the West Michigan Bonsai Club as well as the Prodigious Pumpkins, a display of giant pumpkins at the Farm Garden, on Saturday and Sunday.

“Every year I bring my grandkids out for the giant pumpkins – it’s so enjoyable to watch them having fun, jumping from pumpkin to pumpkin,” said Volunteer Manager Tom Hoving.

The gardens also provide a special event called Hallowee-Ones in which children can join in a costume parade, make a mask and listen to Halloween-themed stories on Oct. 29.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

“ColorFall truly is our one last hurrah before Christmas,” Hoving said.

[email protected]