I look forward to late January each year because it heralds the arrival of spring flowers. Not to my garden, but to vases in my home direct from the Jonkheer Greenhouses flower stand – known affectionately to locals as “Tulip Mary’s” at the Pike Place Market. With each successive month until about mid-June, her stand overflows with an abundance of color, shapes and sizes of tulips, daffodils, iris and more.

For a bit more than 20 years Mary has been at the stand from before the sun rises until late each afternoon. I first met her about 8 years ago when I happened across the street from the little French-style bakery to purchase flowers. Mary greeted me with a great big smile and wonderfully positive energy. After multiple visits over the course of that month – I think it was February – she came around the booth on one visit and announced she liked me and we should be friends. With that she embraced me and gave me a big ol’kiss on the cheek.

We’ve been friends ever since.

On two occasions she’s even allowed me to be her assistant for a few hours, selling big bundles of flowers to townies and tourists alike. What a great pleasure it is to know Tulip Mary, to be counted among her many friends and to enjoy these amazing flowers all spring.

Certainly Tulip Mary’s flower stand is one of my favorite “GOOD PLACE!”

Jonkheer Greenhouses
Stall 201
Pike Place Market
Seattle, WA