The Grand Garden Show on Mackinac Island

Here are some of the highlights from my trip to Mackinac Island in Michigan for the Grand Garden Show Featuring Proven Winners®. I was honored to have been asked by Proven Winners to present three talks on container gardening and leading tours through some of the amazing gardens on the island. I am especially excited to have had the opportunity to spend the weekend with like-minded garden enthusiasts! 

I am not sure if it was the big chair or the long journey that had me saying “are we there yet?” over and over but I definitely felt like a little kid. The Grand Hotel was definitely….grand. And they know how to do geraniums! Pots, pots everywhere. And gardens that were simply begging to be photographed. The master designer, Jack Barnwell, (Barnwell Landscape and Garden Services- A Mackinac Island Based Company) led us docents on a rainy tour of some of the island’s private gardens. One “cottage” had a sweet porch ceiling that was painted blue with birds on it! And how better to end a long day than with delicious food…hello filet mignon! 

Beautiful gardens and a great view from the Cupola Bar at the Grand Hotel. I was blessed to be a docent at two gorgeous downtown gardens. First at the Hotel Iroquois then the beautiful Boardwalk Cottage. Hydrangea paniculata ‘Great Star’ was the most photographed plant on both tours! I met Myrtle, the turtle, explored the island via a private carriage ride and took even more pictures of the Grand Hotel. Then the great crew at Jack Barnwell Design started adding extra curb appeal for the big opening of the Grand Garden Show. Moving planters like the pros they are! An opening night cocktail party was a great excuse to dress up and hang out with my friend Kerry Ann Mendez. Another delicious meal with the folks from Proven Winners and then….showtime!