Throngs of people and bus journeys characterize the yearly peony pilgrimage in Michigan, an event marked by intense popularity.
PEONY PANIC IN ANN ARBOR
Get a whiff of the world's finest peonies at the University of Michigan's Nichols Arboretum – but be quick, they're a finicky bunch!
This week, peony enthusiasts are flocking to the Arb to witness the dazzling display of these show-stopping blossoms in every hue imaginable. Melanie Millar and her crew dropped by on Monday for some graduation snaps – not a bad backdrop, eh?
Millar, an 18-year-old about to graduate from a Detroit-area high school, gushed, "We just came here to get pictures since it's going to be a nice day, and the Peony Garden seemed like a nice place to go to.”
The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden boasts the largest collection of pre-1950 herbaceous peonies in North America – possibly even the entire globe, according to curator David Michener. He enthused, "Once you come here to the Peony Garden, you'll be mesmerized... the fragrances, the colors, the forms, it's just intoxicating."
But the peony party came to an abrupt halt when some zany vandals lopped off the blooms of around 250 peonies the day before. The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security confirmed that a few odd papers were found at the scene, one of which seemingly supported Palestine and its struggle during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Linda J.K. Klenczar, a visitor among the blooms, expressed her dismay, saying, "What would possess someone just to destroy nature and the beauty of it? It's just unfathomable. There's no explanation. I don't know if they're going to catch someone who did this. They need to explain themselves."
Peony season is always a fluctuating affair, with Mother Nature's meteorological mood swings dictating the bloom schedule. But with so many peony fanatics hanging on to the Arb's social media for updates, one can't help but wonder if these vandals were just taking their frustration out on something – or someone – symbolic.
Now, if you're a peony aficionado, avoiding the rush is key. Check out the gardens when the sun is high or when it's setting for the best scent experience. And remember, the Peony Garden is open year-round and nestled in Michigan's Ann Arbor, so it's always a good time to get your peony fix!
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Seattle's home-and-garden enthusiasts might find inspiration in the vibrant peony gardens of Ann Arbor, Michigan. After witnessing the spectacular display at the University of Michigan's Nichols Arboretum, one could effortlessly adopt a lifestyle imbued with the charm of gardening, possibly even cultivating peonies in their Seattle homes.
