Summer Hours
Monday - Saturday: 8:00-6:00
Sunday: 9:00-5:30
Contact us
1299 Pilgrim Hwy
Frankfort, MI 49635
231-352-9321
ABOUT THE CRYSTAL GARDENS FAMILY
In 1968, Wendell Putney left his factory job, purchased a cottage maintenance business and moved his family 12 miles away to the port city of Frankfort. Wendell grew up on an orchard near Arcadia, MI and always has had a love for the world around him. He poured all his knowledge into his new adventure and after several years of serving the local resort community a bigger need grew. He needed product to better care for his customers and in 1976 CRYSTAL GARDENS was born.
Even in the early years Wendell envisioned a garden center with walk-thru show gardens. His oldest daughter was married in the original ‘rainbow garden’ which gave way to our now cut flower gardens and bird sanctuary. Then, in 2006 granddaughter Wendy followed with a lovely ceremony in the HOSTA GARDEN.
There are a total of five gardens on the property and with all this growing going on it provided plenty of job opportunity for his four children. Over the years each of them has found their niche (or created one!) thus, the BARN SWALLOW. A unique blend of old and new, just what a “more than a garden center” needed.
The grandchildren are now stepping into the picture, assisting with some of the tasks and learning the business. Granddaughters #2 and #3 (JanDee and Wendy) head up our garden maintenance crew. They not only tend to our gardens here but can help you with yours! Contact to make arrangements to get your flowers planted.
Grandson Dustin is taking over the landscape maintenance and installation crews. He has his associates’ degree in Landscape Architecture and Civil Design and is working towards his Michigan Certified Nurseryman’s license. Dustin has also had lots of hands on experience working for Bland Landscaping in North Carolina, where he attended college. He was residential install foreman and ran a crew of 3-5 people. He also did installations on his own working closely with landscape architect Mary Liljequist of Earthly Delights Landscape Design. His talents and energy will be a great asset in the business. You can contact for all your Landscape needs.
As we continue to develop the 10 acres surrounding the stores, the gardens and nine green houses the dream is almost complete. Well as any good gardener knows it is always a work in progress. It has been and is a wonderful environment to grow family, friends and relationships. We hope you’ll visit us soon!