The Gardens Part 1: Before The Renovation

Did you ever think you could find a slice of European paradise in the middle of Michigan? Let alone, one with the most magnificent English gardens, bursting full of life?

When we purchased Greencrest Manor last year, we immediately fell in love with the gardens first. They were in full bloom and absolutely breathtaking. Around every corner of the property, we found ourselves gasping in awe and delight. The overwhelming beauty overtook our senses and happy tears pricked our eyes. We immediately visualized the possibilities for endless celebrations here - romantic picnics, festive parties, vows on the lawn, community events… the possibilities are endless!

As beautiful as the gardens were in their original form, they did need some help. In order to create our vision of the future, many of the garden beds needed to be tended to - weeded, cleaned out, reorganized, supplemented, etc. As we progress in this journey on our first Spring at the manor, we wanted to document the “before” shots - still so magical, but a little bit more wild and untamed.

A French Normandy style estate deserves a European style garden, does it not? We’re inspired by these grounds each and every day, they truly feel as though they’re meant for “frolicking” and picnicking. Between the pear trees, miniature apple orchard, fresh vegetables and amazing florals, the gardens came to us already incredibly fruitful, no pun intended!

We knew we wanted to refine the floral variety on the property to ensure that we could incorporate these blooms into our couple’s flower arrangements for their wedding & event weekends. This special touch is extremely important to us and with such a large property to work with, the room was there to make it happen. It was time to get the plans in order! The design for the cutting garden expansion came together swiftly. We wasted no time getting our hands dirty to make it all happen.

The photo below was taken in late fall 2019 after the renovations began on the raised beds (which were previously vegetable gardens). Allison’s Landscape Design was an integral part of the design process and we can’t thank her and her team enough! We worked for days pulling up weeds, roots, and long past their prime vegetables. Talk about an incredible undertaking!

We had a good size crew, David and myself (Jenn) included - putting the back-breaking work into digging up the current plants to make way for the much-needed improvements. Nothing makes you invest yourself quite like sweat equity! I’ve always loved and appreciated florals, obviously, but WOW, did I have a lot to learn about what makes them spectacular from start to finish.

We were anxious to get the Spring peonies, tulips, and daffodils planted. We knew we needed to get them in the ground before the first frost, so the bulbs would have time to work their magic beneath the frozen grounds. Once the planting was well underway, the process of installing underground irrigation began. WOW - what a chaotic and messy process… installing 15 acres of underground sprinkling is no joke!

Once we were finally in the swing of things, it was time to enlist the help of our amazing local nursery and pick out garden roses. **Insert happy dance here**. The 150+ bushes we picked out are currently being nurtured in the hoop house (similar to greenhouse). We are just starting to put them in the ground, and will continue to do so throughout the month of May.

Stay tuned for MANY more updates in the next coming weeks and months as the gardens come together, and eventually, mature into a magnificent work of art. For those of you who follow us on Instagram Stories, you likely already see us digging in, day after day! For those of you who don’t, you can follow some of the property’s behind the scenes renovations and improvements here.

Warmly,

Jenn, Dave, and Team GC