What’s in Bloom Spring-Summer 2021

In this space we’re posting photos of things that are blooming in our natural areas and around the trails at Matthaei-Nichols. The gallery on top represents the current week’s blooms.

Week of September 6 2021:

In one of the last weeks we can still call summer, the vivid blooms in the Gateway Garden at Matthaei take center stage. Zinnias, cannas, phlox, salvia, asters, dahlias, and others are singing their last hurrahs of the season. Check out some of the other features here too, such as the fountains, Willow Pond, and the fruits of the bottlebrush buckeye in the Gateway Garden.

Week of August 16 2021:

Mid-August but still plenty in bloom at Matthaei-Nichols, including lilies, spotted beebalm, boneset, cup plant, cardinal flower, and more. Check out the gallery

Week of August 9 2021:

Plenty of native plants in the Great Lakes Gardens at Matthaei: ironweed, joe-pye weed, nodding onion, butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Also, Gateway Garden coming into its summer peak, and lots more. Check out the gallery

June 10 2021:

The peony garden today (June 10) is on the other side of peak. Most plants are finished blooming, though still a lot to see, such as Bride’s Dream, Sagamore, and Auten’s Pride (pictured here). See the garden today or tomorrow. Won’t last much beyond the weekend.

Week of June 3 2021:

On June 3 about 50% of the peony garden was in bloom. This weekend (June 4-6) will be a good time to see the peonies. The weather is warming up and the rain we got will really push the peony blooming cycle into overdrive.

Also check out Laurel Ridge Trail above the peony garden. There are still rhododendrons and azaleas blooming. You’ll also see amsonia and baptisia in bloom nearby.

The peony garden is open this year! All visitors will of course need to follow University of Michigan covid guidelines such as face coverings and social distancing in gatherings of 100 or more.

Week of May 24 2021:

This week the floral spotlight shines on the peony garden in Nichols Arboretum. About 50 herbaceous peonies are blooming out of 800 or so plants. Should be really taking off we hope this weekend and for sure next week.

Tree peonies are still blooming but many are done blooming for the most part.

The peony garden is open this year! All visitors will of course need to follow University of Michigan covid guidelines such as face coverings and social distancing in gatherings of 100 or more.

Week of May 17 2021:

This week the floral spotlight shines on the peony garden in Nichols Arboretum. A lot is happening and even more is getting ready to happen. Many tree peonies are blooming. Tree peonies bloom two or three weeks before the herbaceous peonies and they put on quite a show with their amazing colors usually not seen in herbaceous peonies: yellows, lavenders, and purples.

Anout 14 herbaceous peonies are blooming. That’s only approx 1.75% of the entire collection so there’s a ways to go. Should be really taking off we hope this weekend and for sure next week.

You’ll also see near the peony garden lots of rhododendrons blooming, golden Alexanders, wild geranium, and native columbine.

The peony garden is open this year! All visitors will of course need to follow University of Michigan covid guidelines such as face coverings and social distancing in gatherings of 100 or more.

Week of May 3 2021:

This week the floral spotlight shines on the peony garden in Nichols Arboretum. A lot is happening and even more is getting ready to happen. Many tree peonies are close to bloom. Tree peonies bloom two or three weeks before the herbaceous peonies and they put on quite a show with their amazing colors usually not seen in herbaceous peonies: yellows, lavenders, and purples.

The peony garden is open this year! All visitors will of course need to follow covid guidelines such as masks and social distancing. Stay tuned for more peony goings-on soon.

Week of April 26 2021:

Week of April 12 2021:

Week of April 5 2021: