Peonies! And Other Blossoms

University of Michigan, Nichols Arboretum

Peony Garden 2025

This year’s peonies are just beginning to bloom. The garden has a remarkable collection of peonies
dating back over 100 years, and a staff of gardeners and researchers. 

On the hillside above the peony beds, rhododendrons are in full bloom.

Lots of folks taking selfies!

The rhododendrons are beautiful.

Now for some peonies…

Spectacular rhododendrons.

Peonies originated in China, as exemplified by this 12th Century vase.

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art.

And in our small garden at home…

Our annual crop of herbs, which Len just bought and repotted this weekend.

Among our new potted plants: lavender.

Outdoor Dining

After weeks of cold weather, we finally managed to eat lunch outdoors.

Getting ready to grill our dinner. First time this season.

Grilled vegetables, bread, and steak with mustard.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Photos © 2025 mae sander

Destruction at the Arb

A huge fallen tree in the Arb, aftermath of last week’s storms.

The Nichols Arboretum is a beloved spot in central Ann Arbor, in walking distance of the campus and of many residential neighborhoods including ours. Familiarly known as “The Arb,” it has welcomed generations of students, families, and other visitors. The Arb’s peony garden has a remarkable variety of cultivated peonies, which bloom in May and June. There’s a beautiful wooded area, a large meadow, and a stretch of river front along the Huron River.

Last week, two violent thunderstorms raged through town, and the Arb lost nearly 100 trees, including some very old ones. When we walked through, nearly a week later, the destruction was easily seen, despite a vast amount of tree-cutting and hauling which has made the paths safely walkable again. 

Please note that this event is nothing compared to the devastation of several recent hurricanes and fires in other parts of the country, especially the Maui fire and Hurricane Idalia. We in Ann Arbor require no help or sympathy! Severe weather is increasing everywhere because of climate change.

Behind the peonies you can see several large pines that were snapped off by the wind.

 

The pines as they were before.

In this photo you can see the big trees behind the peony garden, several of which were lost last week.

The boardwalk with an upended tree.

Blog post © 2023 mae sander. Photos © 2022, 2023

The Beginning of Summer

 

Chipmunks are all over our garden.

They also sit on our chairs.

Throughout the neighborhood, people are starting their vegetable gardens.
These raised beds are in a front yard around the block from us.

The University of Michigan Peony Garden was at its peak last Sunday.
Hundreds of people were enjoying the thousands of blossoms.

Neighbors are committed to encourage pollinators (but I'm not sure what that means here).

In another garden, less cultivated, is a clover, a recognized attraction for pollinators.

Roses are blooming in other people's gardens.

Spring flowers are just about finished blooming

The latest-blooming rhododendrons are just finishing their season.

Smoke from Canada has weirded out the sun.

Unfortunately this is climate change. Exceptional drought causes fires in Canada.

The Ann Arbor Potters' Guild held its June sale.

A ceramic dragon at the Potters' Guild.

Shared with Eileen's Critters.

Photos © 2023 mae sander

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Since 2001, "Shakespeare in the Arb" has presented outdoor performances of a chosen Shakespeare play each June, except during the pandemic. This year's play is "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The first scene was presented in the peony garden, which is a very popular site in the Nichols Arboretum -- "The Arb." Here you can see the introductory musicians. Behind the performers, you can see many people (the ones without costumes) visiting the peony beds which are at their peak this weekend.

The audience and players move from one location in the Arb to another. This performance had four or five such changes. It was a beautiful evening and very pleasant to walk in the woods and open spaces.

The "rude mechanicals" rehearse their play-in-a-play.

Bottom the Weaver.

The character Puck was played by three actors.
I would prefer the traditional choice: just one Puck!

Queen Titania about to go to sleep,
with her four fairies chanting a lullaby.

Queen Titania, bewitched by Oberon, falls in love with Bottom.
He now has the head of an ass, thanks to a mischievous magic spell.

Bottom with the fairies.

Final applause for the players. Some cast members are students, and some are from the local community.

2007: "The Tempest"

In 2007, the play was "The Tempest." The photo is from that performance.
We have attended several other presentations of "Shakespeare in the Arb."
The Arboretum and the presentation are sponsored by the University of Michigan.

We took some sandwiches for a pre-performance supper.
Our beverage: sparkling water (to share with Elizabeth).
NOTE: This is not an ad!

Blog post and photos © 2007, 2022, mae sander.