THE GARDENS
AT FARRAND HALL
Located just West of Colon, Michigan on South Farrand Road. The 12 acre property is home to
Amy Frost
Farrand Head Gardener
In 2022, I had the priveledge of being hired to oversee the upkeep of the gardens and property at Farrand Hall. From March through October, I manage a team that is responsible for caring for the 12 acre property: weeding, pruning, planting, mulching, chainsawing and more. We love continuing to learn and adapt to the natural balance of the gardens as well as finding new and better ways to manage their care. DirtyGirl Vibe is my passion project.
Farrand Facts
58522 Farrand Rd, Colon, MI 49040
12 Acre Historical Farm Estate
Cafe: open Thursday – Saturday, 8am – 2pm
Various coffee drinks, in-house baked goodies, bakery breads, salads, sandwiches, special menu items
Dinners: Fridays and Saturdays buy tickets online
The property is home to chickens, ducks, bees & fruit trees
What’s In Bloom
July 22, 2023 : So many things are in bloom!
EXPLORE THE GARDENS
Below is a breakdown of the different garden areas on the Farrand property. Each has its own unique personality and is designed to give visitors the opportunity to experience little “moments” in natures. So wander through the dark shade gardens, enjoy the vibrant cutting garden, sit and appreciate the simple pleasure of a perfectly blooming english rose or follow the chickens as they look for bugs in the orchard. Garden Walks are available Friday mornings at 9am. Grab something from the Cafe and join us!
The Wildflower Field
Location: East of the Barns
The Wildflower Field
Location: East of the Barns
The Wildflower Field
The newest edition to Farrand! Located to the east of the new barn, this garden was designed and planted after the installation of the new septic drain field. Because of the restrictions for planting over a drain field (only vegetation with shallow root systems are allowed), planting options were limited – but it offered us the opportunity to create a more natural, “wild” experience for visitors.
OPIUM POPPY
MID-JULY – ?
OPIUM POPPY
MID-JULY – ?
OPIUM POPPY
MID-JULY – ?
CALIFORNIA POPPY
MID-JULY – ?
CORNFLOWER
MID-JULY – ?
CORNFLOWER
MID-JULY – ?
CORNFLOWER
MID-JULY – ?
CORNFLOWER
MID-JULY – ?
Pre-planting, mulch paths established May 2023
First growth, July 2023
POPPIES: They’re at the top, because they’re my favorite! Maybe because they are here and then gone in a blink, so you feel lucky to catch them in bloom. We are hoping to harvest seeds this fall and help propegate even more for next year.
Initial Wildflower Mix
Centaurea cyanus
Cornflower – in various colors including deep purple, blue/periwinkle and pink.
Eschscholzia californica
California Poppy – golden in color, like little drops of sunlight spotting the field. They stand out when surrounded by the white Oxalis.
Papaver somniferum
Opium Poppy – 2 variations are growing in the field: deep orange-red petals, white and soft pink petals – both with black centers.
Oxalis
When laying down seeds, Jacob lined the mulch paths with Oxalis – a wonderfully sweet, tiny white flower.
Coreopsis lanceolata
Buttery yellow with a deep maroon center, these Coreopsis are stunners in the field!
Other Plantings
Philadelphus
Two white mock orange shrubs anchor the stair steps leading into the field.
Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’
Several of these bright purple perrenials are planted at the base of the field, along the lower path that wraps around the outside of the mound.
We look forward to see what else makes it’s way into the wildflower field in the future!
The Square
Located on the south side of the Farrand Property, the Square is a more formal garden that includes a pergola, a large square of cut grass lined by boxwood hedges, and an “enclosed” bed containing bountiful peonies and butterfly bushes. This area is a favorite space for weddings!
Buxus sinica
While boxwoods are in most of the garden areas around Farrand, it’s in the Square that they really make an impact! Eventually, when they are of a more mature size they will be shaped into a solid hedge line to create a formal separation between the other vegetation and the grassy area.
Paeonia
Personally, peonies are one of my favorite flowers. It’s impossible not to be impressed by their heavy scent and dense, pink blooms. Typically blooming in mid June, Jacob will often cut peonies for table decorations for dinners.
Papaver somniferum
Opium Poppy – 2 variations are growing in the field: deep orange-red petals, white and soft pink petals – both with black centers.
Oxalis
When laying down seeds, Jacob lined the mulch paths with Oxalis – a wonderfully sweet, tiny white flower.
Coreopsis lanceolata
Buttery yellow with a deep maroon center, these Coreopsis are stunners in the field!
Other Plantings
Philadelphus
Two white mock orange shrubs anchor the stair steps leading into the field.
Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’
Several of these bright purple perrenials are planted at the base of the field, along the lower path that wraps around the outside of the mound.
We look forward to see what else makes it’s way into the wildflower field in the future!
Natural Gardening
The owners of Farrand Hall are dedicated to providing the healthiest environment possible for their birds & bees! They are especially concerned since the eggs and honey that are produced on the property are served and sold to guests.
No Pesticides
The chickens often snack on bugs they find around the property, so pesticides aren’t used for their safety. Also, pesticides could potentially harm the bees!
No Herbicides
Toxic chemical treatments on the plants at Farrand could potentially affect our bees or the flowering of our trees and plants. So all weeds are erraticated by hand or with natural treatments.
Testimonials
Happy Customers
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★★★★★
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★★★★★