Everything You Need to Know About the Eastern Market Flower Day

On 12May2020
By Heather

Vendors selling Plants and Flowers at the Eastern Market

Colorful Rosebud bushes at the Eastern Market on Flower Day

Rows and rows of colorfully fragrant petunias, roses, pansies, lilies, and more can be found at Eastern Market Flower Day in Detroit, Michigan. Eastern Market Flower Day has been happening annually on the Sunday after Mother’s Day since 1967. This year, it is celebrated on May 19th. Also, check below for other Flower Days. Flower Day at the Eastern Market has been a tradition for Michiganders for years, where they purchase their favorite flowers to begin planting in their gardens.

History of the Flower Day at Eastern Market

The first flower day was held at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. It featured flower displays but did not offer the ability to buy them from local gardeners. It moved to the Eastern Market in 1967, allowing growers to display and sell the flowers. Eastern Market Flower Day is now a favored tradition for families heralding spring to Michigan for over 50 years.

The continuing success of Flower Day is due to the partnership with the Metropolitan Detroit Flower Growers Association. Their members arrive every year from Michigan, Ontario, and neighboring states to display the latest in flowers. The vendors share 15 acres of the heartiest varieties of flowers for this region for you to buy and plant. Information sessions are available to learn strategies to help their plants thrive when they get them home.

Essential Tips for Flower Day

Flower Day is Eastern Market’s busiest weekend, with over 200,000 people attending. You can visit the Eastern Market all year long, but this is the traditional ushering into spring event in Michigan. The market is located at 2934 Russell St. in downtown Detroit. Make sure you come early to get the closest parking spots and the best selection of flowers.

After you have purchased your flowers, make sure to spend some more time exploring Eastern Market and the surrounding area. There are great restaurants, pubs, mom-and-pop stores, and fabulous street art to see. You can make a whole day out of visiting the Eastern Market.

The Flowers

You will be able to find all kinds of varieties of flowers at the Eastern Market on Flower Day. Perennial, annual, and seasonal flowers will be sold and displayed. You can purchase flats of flowers, hanging baskets, or flowers in pots. Almost every flower that grows well in Michigan can be found here. Whatever your favorite might be, whether it is petunias, pansies, lilies, sweet peas, tulips, cacti, or roses, you can buy them here. Along with whatever color scheme you are planning for your flower garden, you will find all colors of the rainbow in the Eastern Market.

Getting Around the Eastern Market

An important tip for first-time visitors to Flower Day is to bring a wagon. The crowds will make it difficult to maneuver around the barns within the Eastern Market. But, carrying the flats and flower pots around will be more challenging unless you bring your whole family to help hold them. Or you might have to take multiple trips back to your car, which might be a hike. The market does offer free parcel pickups, so you don’t have to haul your flats of flowers around while you browse the rest of the market if you don’t have a wagon.

The Tuesday Markets will feature flower selections from Eastern Market growers, smaller crowds, and easier parking. Throughout the flower season, flowers will also be available in person at the weekly Saturday Markets. Find flower vendors in Shed 6 every day from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day, from sunrise to sunset.

Summary

Eastern Market Flower Day has been one of my favorite ways to mark the beginning of spring. It is a bummer that this year, it is changing. Even though we won’t be able to walk around the market and smell all the beautiful flowers, the flowers will still be available for your flower gardens. You can save this post for next year to help you plan your Flower Day adventure. Happy Spring, Everyone!

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