W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden | One of the world's premier collections of heirloom peonies.

W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden | One of the world's premier collections of heirloom peonies.

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Peony Garden

Nichols Arboretum is open sunrise to sunset daily.

Late May – Early June
Visitor center open daily 10am-4:30pm

What's in
Bloom

Passion for Peonies

Passion for Peonies

Our collection of essays celebrates the story of the Garden and peony gardening.

The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden at Nichols Arboretum is one of the world’s premiere collections. The garden holds nearly 800 peonies and over 10,000 flowers at peak bloom.

100 Years in Bloom

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@matthaeinichols / Tag Your Photos #umpeonygarden

The Date Palm in the Conservatory stands as a dist

The Date Palm in the Conservatory stands as a distinct centerpiece, welcoming visitors into the Temperate House. Mike shares why, despite its large size, we will never see it bear fruit.

#datepalm #umichnature

Beaver Fans! This Sunday, December 17th we are off

Beaver Fans! This Sunday, December 17th we are offering a free guided exploration of the local beaver at Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

Join us as we walk along Sam Graham Trees Trail with MBGNA and local experts to learn about the recent beaver activity on and around Fleming Creek. Learn about the important role beavers play in complex ecosystems and how they engineer incredible structures to create dams & channels. We’ll visit the dam's site and look for evidence of beaver activity, then return to the building for hot cocoa!

Free and open to all, please register to join us at myumi.ch/p7G9q (clickable link in bio)

Image descriptions:
1. Two people stand at the edge of Flemming Creek next to a tree that has been chewed by a beaver but is still upright. They look towards the water as one points
2. A close look at a tree that has significant chew marks from a beaver
3. Graphic with a bever. text reads :Beaver Tales: Exploring Nature's Architects. December 17th 1:00pm - 3:00 pm
2.

As the seasons change, so do our landscapes. The A

As the seasons change, so do our landscapes. The Arboretum's Laurel Ridge trail near the Peony Garden experienced the transformative power of nature this summer, reshaped by powerful storms. While these changes have certainly altered the familiar look of the trail, they have also reminded us of the resilience of nature and its ability to adapt and grow.

Our dedicated Natural Areas team has worked tirelessly to clean up the storm's aftermath, focusing not just on clearing and restoring, but also on reimagining Laurel Ridge in its new form. While changes like these stir a sense of nostalgia for what we knew, they also remind us of the resilience of nature and its dynamic ability to adapt and grow.

In light of these transformations, we're thrilled to share the good news - The Laurel Ridge Trail is now open to the public again!

The continuous support towards our 'Heal the Arb' campaign is helping to fund these restoration and resilience-building efforts. Like nature, we too adapt and move forward, preserving what we can, learning from what we cannot, and using these lessons to ensure a more resilient and thriving ecosystem in the face of future changes. We are grateful to you for your continued support.

#HealTheArb #UmichNature #NicholsArboretum

Image descriptions:
1. Matt and Tim in orange hardhats. Matt is cutting a fallen tree trunk that is leaning across Lareel Ridge Trail.
2. Matt and Tim roll a newly cut log as Max looks on.
3. Max, Matt, and Tim stand together on the Laurel Ridge trail they just cleared.

📸: Tom O’Dell

Jeff takes us on a tour of some of the area marked

Jeff takes us on a tour of some of the area marked by beaver activity at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. We remain thrilled with the arrival of this new resident who is teaching us volumes about nature, adaptation, and the vital interconnectedness of our ecosystem.

Our new beaver friend’s actions offer an amazing opportunity to observe and understand the dynamics of wetland ecosystems and their impact on surrounding habitats. This beaver is not only reshaping the landscape around us but also challenging us to rethink our own roles in supporting ecological resilience in a changing world. Stay tuned for more updates!

#MatthaeiBeaver #UmichNature

Video description: Jeff stands outside in a wooded area at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and shows some trees that have been gnawed by a beaver.

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