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Visit the University of Michigan's Peony Collection at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
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| In the 1920’s, William Upjohn, founder of the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, donated a collection of 280 varieties of peonies to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum at the University of Michigan. More than 90 years later, many of his original plants are still healthy and blooming. An avid collector and grower of peonies himself, he had the kindness to share that with other gardeners. |
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| Colorful Avenue Banners announce the Peony Blooming Festival and draw the visitors to the entrance. |
Peony flower forms are single, double, semi-double, Japanese, and anemone. They come in a range of colors including white, yellow, pink, and red. Blooms can be expected May through July.
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Madame Ducel peony is a very large, compact, semi-rose type peony.
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| Flame Peony |
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| Prairie Afire Peony |
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| Welcome Guest Peony |
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| Gay Paree Peony |
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| Huang Jin Lun or Golden wheel Peony (not recognized by the American Peony Society) is an unusual yellow peony, worth more follow up. It is said to be less hardy than many of the other peonies but I was glad to see a yellow flower blooming midseason in this group. |
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This beautiful white peony was located in the first bed and is Summer Day. Summer Day was developed by Kelway in 1895.
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| Fuyajo Japanese Peony |
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| Petite Renee Peony |
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| Victoire de la Marne Peony |
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| Bride's Dream Peony |
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| This helpful poster greeted visitors in the Welcome Center |
Additional Resources:
Dr. David C. Michener, is the Associate Curator for the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum and has written a comprehensive book about peonies for home gardeners if your are interested in learning more. He oversees the largest public collection of historical herbaceous peonies in North America. Dr. Michener and Carol Adelman, a grower of over 400 peony varieties in Oregon, collaborated on this book, which is now included on The New York Times Summer Reading List.
The American Peony Society
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- Carsten Burkhardt's Web Project Paeonia www.paeon.de
- Van Wert, Ohio Peony Festival
- https://www.gardenia.net/plants/plant-family/paeonia_--_peonies
- Hidden Springs Flower Farm PO Box 602 18581 County Road 4, Spring Grove, MN 55974 (763) 218-4540
- http://www.southernpeony.com/2016/01/2016-peony-on-my-wish-list-silvia.html
- Plants Delight Nursery (testing peonies that will thrive in the south)
- https://www.whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.com/herbs/peony/
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