Entry Garden in Full Bloom: I ordered “green tomato” plants from Bob; arranging to meet last Friday. We both heeded Jennie’s advice & toured the Demo Gardens.
entering the main drive- note the change: the once large bed on the left– now three separate areas around each tree. A focal point was created by planting hostas and Heuchera at the base of the front tree.
Friday was so sunny, much color & pizzaz was “washed” out in photos. Back up today but no comparison for what our eyes see. ( south/east end of door entry).
south side of the building
Getting a quality photo of the entry garden is difficult given the surroundings so these are “cropped” versions.
Here are some individuals highlights from the entry garden:
Columbine
Peony
Gas plant…………..the smell emitted by the plants in the entry garden was heavenly & color combos very appealing
two tone peony
Clematis is putting on an outstanding display this year
Iris were in various stages of bloom & fade
Finally the rose within the rose…………
Enjoy these other highlights in the gardens Minnesota Snowflake
Ninebark
Rosa Rugosa
Sweet Shrub
Linden Tree–its blooms will soon fill the gardens with a wonderful aroma
SEE YOU IN THE GARDENS—WHERE EVERYDAY IS A NEW DAY.
I’m excited about my garden this year. Although my back yard is suffering….I’ve have some awesome changes to my front yard. Naida, as I said during Milan’s Garden Club tour…those shrubs are going.
Oh dear, after removing the Black Lace Elderberry and all the shrubs…all those stumps to remove….this is what I was left with….
I will soon share all these changes with you, but for now, here are some sneak peaks and some of my blooms this spring.
The Eastern side looked just as bad…What was I thinking…That Generator didn’t show behinds those barberry and elderberry shrubs…of course nothing showed behind those overgrown shrubs. Can’t wait to show you the new garden.
sneak peak…window boxes.Loving the color of this geraniumsneak peak of the new garden coming 7 climbing roses 18 purple salvia, 6 lime heuchera, 24 Lilly bulbs…this garden is a tribute to my two sister-in-laws that passed less than one year apart. Their names are Rose & Lillian.I love when Mother nature makes a comboItoah peony Copper KettleRemember this late snow/frost. This was the result on one of my Tree Peonies. But not to worryThis is that same sad Tree Peony It was loaded with blooms. I counted 23 around the bush. close upAnother beauty in my back yardMy Favorite…she never lets me down.
Does anyone know what these eggs are? A friend on a Facebook page posted this photo. I did some searching and thought maybe a moth or could they be grape pearls? I’d like to know if anyone recognizes what it may be.
In the Meantime, the Robins built a nest on my shed arbor…I wasn’t happy, however, I left it. They have now left the nest and I will be taking this one down. Robins have been known to come back to the same nests and or nesting area each year. I’m sure this is the Robin that used my vertical garden last year.
Something I am happy about… a Cardinal pair have just began building a nest in my climbing rose. I’m very surprised they chose a spot so low. I will be watching for eggs….they are a great site to see all day.
The Milan Area Historical Society is happy to announce the Hack House Museum WILL BE OPEN this summer. Our official “Opening” will be on Saturday (May 1) 10:00 – 4:00 and on Sunday (May 2) 1:00 – 4:00. The Historical Society will be selling beautiful, locally grown, Hanging Flower Baskets and Patio Pots. The Milan Garden Club will also hold their annual Perennial Plant Sale. Our friend, the Sock Maker will be there with her 1800’s loom making and selling her wool socks. Any and all of these items will make wonderful Mother’s Day gifts the following weekend. Please join us and support our first fundraiser since 2019.
Good morning, Hope your day is going well 🎆Letting you know about yesterday’s work and learn in case you want to use it in the blog: Michelle B weeded and spread mulch on the south garden, plus transplanted mums. Emoke and Tom weeded, carried limbs, and mulched the red lilies. Gail brought her chainsaw and pruned up the Linden tree, plus weeded under the crabapples. Mrs. Robin found a good spot to make her home 😁
If you’re reading this newsletter then, like me, you love the botanical gardens and arboretum and have a passionate interest in everything we do, from horticulture to student and faculty research to stewarding our national-level collections such as peonies or bonsai. You may also want to drop in and enjoy the conservatory or visit the outdoor display gardens.
And yet for over a year no one has been able to experience the Gaffield Children’s Garden, watch a Shakespeare in the Arb performance, or wander through the conservatory.
We hope that changes soon. In the meantime, however, I want to explain some of what’s happening here this spring and summer, what our plans are, and how—because of the ongoing pandemic—those plans may still change. This is a year where we’ve all learned to be flexible, for sure.
Peony Garden Update One of the top questions we get is: Will the peony garden be open this year? The answer is yes. Even so, every visitor to the peony garden will be expected to mask up and follow the well-known distancing guidelines. We may also be faced with having to limit peony visits depending on crowd guidelines we receive from the university. As I write this, the state of Michigan leads the nation in COVID cases.
When Will We Reopen? Another question we get a lot, and understandably: “When will the buildings and display gardens open, and why can’t the display gardens be open now, since they are outdoors?” We are making plans to reopen both indoors and outdoors. Here are the technicalities: according to university policy we may not open our indoor areas to the public if new cases in Washtenaw County exceed 70 per million, if there is a sustained 10% positivity rate for COVID-19, or if there are three consecutive days of +10% increase in cases of the virus. Until we fall below these numbers, we will not be able to welcome you indoors.
As for the outdoor garden spaces at Matthaei, we are working to reopen them, regardless of the indoor spaces. Please stay tuned. Indoors or out, our reopening plan includes offering scheduled visits to our members initially. After that, we will reopen to all others, also in a scheduled format.
2021 Calendar Most of our events will look different this year. The three spring plant sales—Mother’s Day, Kitchen Favorites, and the peony sale—will be online only, with the sales offered first to our members. If you are not a member, I urge you join for a number of reasons, including access to our plant sales.
Shakespeare in the Arb is, sadly, canceled again this year. This was a very difficult decision. Last year—also canceled—would have been the 20th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Arb. So those special anniversary-celebration performances will have to wait until 2022. We just couldn’t risk having 200-plus audience members so close together at each performance for up to three hours at a time.
Most of our other spring-summer 2021 programming has been canceled as well—the family favorite Things with Wings, school tours, and all of our partner group monthly indoor meetings (Audubon Society, Sierra Club, for example) are off the calendar. Additionally, our volunteer program is suspended at least until fall.
“We are sorry” doesn’t quite cover it. Everyone at Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum wants nothing more than to open again to all of you. Please know that we are doing everything we can to make that happen. In the meantime, our website, social media, and newsletter contain a wealth of digital resources for you to enjoy, and the Arb and the trails at the botanical gardens remain open. Below you’ll find how to connect with those resources.
Thank you for understanding, and for your support.
Tony Kolenic, Director University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum
Take a look at our digital resources and stay up to date with everything that’s going on here. Our blog, social media, YouTube channel, and website bring you all the news at Matthaei-Nichols. Click on the buttons below to visit the resources. Check us out:
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 