DOWAGIAC — Just in time for Mother’s Day, flowers are blooming in Dowagiac, and one place to get them is at longtime Dowagiac business, Creekside Greenhouse.

Walking into the greenhouse, customers are greeted by hanging baskets overflowing with red petunias on display by the welcome sign. In the greenhouse behind them, there is an overflow of flowers of all different colors — purples, oranges and blues — prepared to be gifted to local mothers this weekend.

Creekside Greenhouse, 324 Pokagon St., Dowagiac, is preparing for its 23rd Mother’s Day in business. According to the business owners, workers at the greenhouse have been working overtime to fill orders and get ready for the major holiday.

Business owner O’Larry Collins said he works in his greenhouse twice as hard when preparing for the busy season that begins in May.

“Between Mother’s Day and graduation ceremonies, it’s hard to keep track of exactly how many orders were putting out, but it’s a lot,” Collins said.

Creekside Greenhouse has colorful bouquets, hanging baskets and lots of grasses for customers to pick from. Hanging bouquets and baskets are the most popular buy at the greenhouse, according to Collins, and many people order early to make sure they will not miss out.

“Anything red goes pretty quick around here. Everyone wants to attract hummingbirds, and they think red will do the trick,” Collins said.

Because of their popularity and high demand, Collins creates twice as many red bouquets and arrangements during the busy season.

Due to a high influx of orders over the summer and during the Mother’s Day rush, Collins said he hires students on summer break to help with the workload.

Creekside Greenhouse is a family business that started more than two decades ago. Since the beginning, Collins said the greenhouse has been dedicated to helping people in Dowagiac beautify their homes and businesses.

Collins received help from his children as they grew up and now he and his wife, Mildred Collins, continue to keep the flowers blooming.

Through O’Larry’s and Mildred’s dedication, over the years, the greenhouse has developed a steady stream of regular customers, as well as traveling people who come all the way from Chicago.

Collins gives credit to Mildred for how successful the greenhouse has been.

“I tell everyone she has the green thumb — I just keep this place together,” he said.

While Mother’s Day might signal the beginning of a busy business season of hard work for O’Larry and his wife, he said that would not change a thing.

“I don’t mind all of the work, because people love to come see what I have,” O’Larry said.

Creekside Greenhouse is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, contact the Collins at (269) 414-2120.