Beautiful Blooms

I’ve lived in the neighborhood for quite a while, but it was only last year that I stumbled upon its local treasure.

For the past several years on Memorial Weekend, Mark and I have visited the cemetery bearing flowers for his parents’ vault. We had always seen signs for Countryside Greenhouse of Allendale when traversing 68th Street, but had never detoured down Pingree Street before. Little did we know what we had been missing.

Established in 1982, Countryside has grown to be one of the biggest and best garden centers in West Michigan. Originally built as a wholesale facility, it today is strictly a retail establishment. Offerings include accent plants, flats of flowering annuals, hanging baskets, herbs, houseplants, nursery, patio plants, perennials, vegetables and water plants, as well as the containers, fertilizers and iron works to go with them. Not only do they have a fabulous selection, but some of the best prices I’ve ever seen. After our discovery, I’ve vowed never to do my lawn and garden shopping elsewhere.

Since Mark is permanently heading out of Dodge before Memorial Weekend, this evening we made a trip to the greenhouse for a beautiful begonia and then went on to the cemetery. Unfortunately, since his car was packed to the gills for his move, there was no room for all the plants I wanted to buy. Needless to say, a return trip to outfit my yard is definitely in order. If you’ve never been, you need to go as well.

Countryside Greenhouse of Allendale

7235 Pingree Street

616.895.5000