Jun12

peony.

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one of my favorite places to hike can be found right in the center of ann arbor, a place where i always return, the nichols arboretum. it’s a lovely, quiet, sweeping park where there is natural beauty to be found in any season. one of the most stunning displays is the blooming of the peony garden. unlike any i have ever seen.

the nichols arboretum peony garden is the largest public collection of historic (pre-1950) herbaceous peony cultivars in north america. the university and botanical gardens are currently in the process of rebuilding this historic garden to be an internationally significant, scientifically-documented and culturally interpreted living reference collection.

the garden, open since 1927, boasts more than 270 historic varieties of peony, cultivated in the 19th and early 20th centuries. nearly 800 plants are arranged in 27 beds at the arboretum’s peony garden, drawing flower lovers from across the region when they bloom each spring.

  • note – early morning and evening are when the peony fragrances are best.

—

“flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful;

they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.”

-luther burbank

—
The Peony Garden
a project of
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

42 responses »

  4. Oh the memories…I had a BEAUTIFUL peony that grew at the corner of our property, down by the electrical box that we shared with our neighbor. One early Spring I came home to see he had “cleaned up” the area and mulched it…that’s right, my dormant peony was chopped up and tossed in the trash with the weeds.. at least it died in it’s sleep- haha…😫 (Yes, we are still great friends)

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  10. What a gorgeous garden! Do they bloom about the same time each year? My peonies have already finished up, but you’re farther north. Ann Arbor’s within driving distance. I’d make the trip to see that many peonies in bloom.

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