Wenke Greenhouses — Local services in Comstock Charter Township

As a lifelong resident of this region, yesterday happened to be my very first time visiting Wenke Greenhouses. It was an unplanned trip, as I was just using their parking lot to get off of Sprinkle Rd., and make a phone call. But when I put my phone down and realized that I was in the parking lot of a freshly-open-for-spring greenhouse, and since I had a little extra time, I exited my work van and took a stroll through the greenhouse.

Originally intending to just observe, perhaps taking some photos, I brought my coffee with me, and started in the farthest aisle over, weaving my way through each of the winding walkways with beautiful plants on either side. There were so many varieties, colors, smells, and the atmosphere was serene.

When I neared the front end near the middle, I was helped by associate Andy, who took the time to pause placing plants for a few minutes, and he waxed eloquently about very pertinent gardening tips, flower facts, and time-of-planting questions that I had. He was in his element, and with a smile on his face, he patiently listened and honestly answered all of my inquiries and curiosities, explaining in a way that made sense and was practical to apply, even for an amateur gardener like myself.

Despite the addition of a challenging customer who highly over-reacted in a passionate way, Andy rolled with it, and stayed professional, pleasant, and handled the situation like a true champion.

In the end, I found it a pleasure to purchase a couple of perennials for my own front yard, and some intricately blooming annuals as a gift. They are so gorgeous, and I am really excited about having these wonderful, thriving, miraculous, complex beings in my life.

Even though I have seen and passed by Wenke Greenhouse probably hundreds of times in the past decades, I will now be stopping in as a purposeful patron. Wandering with an open heart can sometimes reveal a sprawling paradise, when all you thought you had was a cold...

I visit Wenke’s about twice a year. Once on Mother’s Day weekend and usually after my birthday in July. I just finished up my Mother’s Day visit and for the most part it was the great experience I expected. It’s always nice to just walk around and look at all the plants, Mr. Larry convinced me to finally buy the Lenten Rose I’ve been coveting for 2 years and Anna (Anne? Sorry!) couldn’t have been a nicer cashier. It all kind of came crashing down on my way out to the parking lot when one of the workers (a brown-haired woman with bangs who we shall name Karen) came running out of the store after me and asked to see my receipt because “I came from the side to leave the store and no one comes from that side.” I showed her my receipt and that seemed to satisfy her, but dang, Karen! I saw you working the other line when I checked out (I’m not sure why because there was already a cashier there), and just because I didn’t go through your line doesn’t mean I didn’t pay. Also, I feel like someone trying to shoplift from a greenhouse would either do a grab and run or leave with an abnormally full tote bag with some foliage or something peeking out of it. They wouldn’t, I don’t think, look like someone sauntering slowly out of the store pushing one of your giant carts while basking in her love of plants. Anyway, all that to say I really look forward to these visits and now I’m sitting here wondering if I should return the $50 worth of plants I just bought, give my $100 gift card to someone else and find a new greenhouse. If you’re that worried about shoplifting, perhaps you should post an employee at the entrance and check every receipt instead of embarrassing people who generally love coming...

I’ve spent a lot of money here the last few years but this year they cost me even more. While shopping this year a girl stopped me from grabbing some beans and said bc they were sick and she directed me to a different flat. I asked if it was PM. She said no just something funky. I purchased about 300 dollars in plants that day. Almost my entire garden for my family. Within a day of them being home PM started to show. And a week later my entire garden and surrounding plants are dying out no matter how I treat it. None of my plants from the co-op had an issue before I brought these plants in. Infact everything was thriving. Their improper care has now cost me so much money, time, and I’m out a garden this summer. Don’t sell powdery mildew spore covered freaking plants even more when you know they are there. The lady knew and she down played it as if it wasn’t a major issue and continued to let me buy plants including ones that were the same variety she said they had to pull. Clearly she wasn’t educated on how PM works. Not to mention it’s even on things listed as “disease resistant”…. Uhhhhhh And after talking to some people here around town. This is common for their plants and greenhouses. Not at all happy about this. Infact I’m completely sure I will advocate that people take their business elsewhere and I’ll do so very loudly. I’m not a new gardener. And I’ve been doing this for over ten years all over the United States. This is by far the worst experience I’ve had with a greenhouse selling pm spore...