Peony Season 2024
The herbaceous peonies typically bloom in mass from around Memorial Day until mid-June. While we can't predict the exact dates, you can follow their progress below!
June 4, 2024
That's about it for 2024! We still have a few late-blooming plants in flower, (most closer to the hill) but the mass bloom is over. Until next year!
Photo: Michele Yanga
Photo: Michele Yanga
June 3, 2024
We are nearing the end of the peony bloom for 2024. Most of the plants have flowered, and many are starting to lose their petals. There are still plenty of flowers to enjoy, and a few later-blooming plants that have yet to flower, but the mass bloom has passed.
May 29, 2024
While most of the peonies are still blooming, there are signs that we have passed the peak bloom period. Recent heavy rains have caused some stems to arch and petals to fall. Despite this, the garden remains stunning and well worth a visit. The cooler temperatures this week should help preserve the flowers for a bit longer.
May 27, 2024
We can see some impact from the weekend rainstorms - many of the peonies are slightly bent from the heavy rains and wind, however most still hold their petals - the garden is still stunning to visit!
Photo: Megan Swanson
Photo: Megan Swanson
Photo: Megan Swanson
Photo: Megan Swanson
May 24, 2024
This is it! We are officially at peak bloom, and it is stunning!
Photo: Michele Yanga
Photo: Michele Yanga
Photo: Michele Yanga
Photo: Michele Yanga
May 21, 2024
And just like that - the peony garden has exploded into bloom! The high heat over the last few days quickly opened the buds, we are at about 75% open. The weather over the next few weeks will determine how long these blooms stick around - more high heat may cause the petals to drop early, and a heavy rainstorm could damage them as well. Now is an excellent time to visit!
Photo: Michele Yanga
Photo: Michele Yanga
May 17, 2024
Almost, but not quite - If you are waiting for the perfect weekend to come out, this is not it yet - we have about 12 herbaceous peony plants currently blooming - the rest will need another week or so.
Photo: Megan Swanson
Photo: Megan Swanson
May 13, 2024
The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden is on the brink of bloom season, with most of our herbaceous peonies heavy in buds, hinting at the spectacular show to come - stay tuned, our best guessers are predicting full bloom sometime around Memorial Day!
May 8, 2024
The tree peonies in the Arb are having their moment! The tree peonies typically bloom several weeks before our mass bloom of herbaceous peonies and are a nice preview of some of the natural beauty to come!
Photo: Michele Yanga
Photo: Michele Yanga
Photo: Michele Yanga
Photo: Michele Yanga
May 6, 2024
While the tree peonies are starting to open, most of the herbaceous peonies are still closed and will remain so for another few weeks. The warm weather has likely pushed the mass bloom up a little, but exactly when it will happen is still a bit of a guessing game.
April 29, 2024
There is a red herbaceous peony in bed 23 that is trying to beat out the tree peonies for first-to-bloom rights. A single tree peony with dark pink flowers is just starting to open up as well. Despite this early activity, most of the garden is still just leafy plants and tight buds.
April 25, 2024
Nichols Arboretum was hit with frost last night. A few of the peony plants are looking a little droopy, but the majority of them seem unfazed. Our Garden Coordinator, Doug Conley, shares that this is not a setback and that most will likely bounce back without any intervention. If any do need to be cut back, the impressive root system of the peonies will ensure that they will be sprouting new shoots in no time! We are still on track for a late May mass bloom.
April 17, 2024
The peony garden is starting to take off, with the herbaceous peony plants sprouting vigorously, ranging in height from around 8 inches to knee-high. These lush plants are thriving and developing well, preparing for their stunning blooms. Meanwhile, the tree peonies, known for their earlier blooming season, have begun to form tight buds.
March 18, 2024
What do we have here?! Our recent warm weather has encouraged some of our peony plants to start emerging from their slumber! Peony Watch 2024 has officially begun!
