Mission
Finlandia Gardens, an extension of the nonprofit Finnish Center Association, provides opportunities for volunteering, partnering, learning, and experiencing community while caring for native flora and fauna in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way.
We invite people of any ability, age, and experience level to come visit, enjoy, and be part of these gardens.
Garden areas are available for adoption by an individual or family with consultation available. We can also offer suggestions for volunteer assistance needed throughout the landscape.
Winter Gardens
The gardens in winter become tranquil, offering unique beauty that contrasts with the vibrant energy of spring and summer. The snow-covered branches, snowy pathways, and the beauty of our paper birch, enhance the winter landscape. Faunal activity is reduced, but squirrels and avian residents are active at the seed and suet feeders. Holiday decor is evident throughout the gardens as we pass through the winter solstice and note the lengthening of each day as we move forward to spring. Signs of winter passage is seen in the footprints of deer and dedicated wood shop volunteers.
New Garden Features
Recent additions to the gardens include a Marian Garden, providing a location for prayer and contemplation, a garden honoring the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority of Farmington Hills, and a Children’s Space with numerous attractions for children including a Little Free Library.
Our Evergreen Copse is growing rapidly, enclosing our Sanctuary and creating a nesting location for numerous birds.
A pond, adjoining our wetland, attracts amphibians, Blue Herons, and other waterfowl.
Updates in the Gardens
Garden happenings this growing season have included a number of activities and events which have been of significance. We have given Cub Scout and others tours of the gardens. The aging bridge over the swale has been replaced, improving safety and beauty in our gardens. Undesired sculpture around the building has been removed. Trees in the landscape are being trimmed which has been needed for some time. We have removed five unsightly trees in the Wedding Garden.
Visitors increasingly walk in our gardens and use them for reflection and rest. Lounge rental guests often use the patio and other areas of the gardens during events.
Our Little Free Libraries are a continuing success and function without gardener assistance. Vegetable gardens are producing and our peach tree near Eight Mile is loaded with a bounteous crop. Unfortunately our large Michigan white pine tree is dying, for no explainable reason, but so it goes in the world of verdure. The newly painted portions of the east and north sides of the building have added a fresh touch. Now the wooden beams that define the Finnish design of the building, need repair and staining. This will return the building to its original beauty which I, believe it or not, can remember. Weather this summer has not diminished the floral beauty of the gardens and we have been able to keep up with the watering.
Our loyal gardeners should be honored, along with the other FCA volunteers in some way as has been promised many times in the past but has never has come to fruition.
Your questions and comments are requested.
David Sharpe
FCA Landscape Coordinator
See our “About” page to learn more about visiting, and our “Get Involved” page to see how you can participate!
Testimonial
“Finlandia Gardens has great diversity and lets you volunteer any day of the week allowing you to have your weekends free.”
– Gayle, volunteer and garden coordinator
“I was able to set up my baby near me while I was volunteering in the gardens, and they were flexible with my ever changing schedule. They welcomed my input and I had the opportunity to help in many different areas and learn as I went.”
– Abby, volunteer
Finlandia Gardens 