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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A Dozen for the Matthaei-Nichols Bonsai Collection


The already outstanding Matthaei-Nichols bonsai collection just got better.

A recent purchase of twelve trees from local bonsai teacher, demonstrator, lecturer, and bonsai guru Jack Wikle brings our collection to well over 50. Wikle, who has been active in the bonsai community for decades, also has long-standing ties to Matthaei-Nichols as a volunteer, bonsai adviser, and member of the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society.

Of particular interest in the new acquisitions are an American hornbeam group (Carpinus caroliniana) and a larch (Larix laricina) group. Both species are native trees.

The hornbeam, which dates to 1964, was Wikle’s second bonsai tree, says staff member Carmen Leskoviansky, who oversees the Matthaei-Nichols bonsai collection. “Hornbeam is special because it’s native, not traditional bonsai material, and more difficult to work with,” she says.

The larch forest resembles a miniature woods and sits atop a slab, a bonsai vessel that’s even shallower than the usual bonsai pot. While the Matthaei-Nichols bonsai collection has three other larch specimens, this is the first larch forest. As a woods in miniature the larch forest is convincing enough that it’s easy to imagine yourself in the midst of a Michigan tamarack bog. Such realism is what makes this acquisition particularly exciting, says Leskoviansky. 

The twelve news trees come from a collection many years in the making. Wikle, who turned 80 last winter, offered the collection for sale to several area organizations and individuals, including Hidden Lake Gardens in Tipton, Mich. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Matthaei-Nichols. As bittersweet as saying goodbye to his bonsai must have been, Wikle says that he and his wife now see these trees, which were a big part of their lives, “bringing pleasure and inspiration to others in the years to come after we are gone.”

Many of the new additions and those from our permanent collection will be on display in the new bonsai and penjing garden currently under construction at Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

A list of the twelve new trees:

Carpinus caroliniana Group (American hornbeam)
Carpinus caroliniana Single Trunk (American hornbeam)
Thuja occidentalis (white cedar)
Larix laricina Forest (American larch)
Hypericum kalmianum (Kalm St. John’swort)
Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine)
Acer buergerianum (trident maple)
Carpinus koreana (Korean hornbeam)
Prunus subhirtella var. autumnalis (fall flowering Higan cherry)
Cotoneaster multiflorus (many-flowered cotoneaster)
Chaenomeles speciosa var. (flowering quince)
Tilia cordata (littleleaf linden)

Monday, May 7, 2012

Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden Tours



The Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden is the largest collection of antique and heirloom peonies in North America. At peak bloom visitors are treated to more than 10,000 blossoms in shades of pink, red, and white. It's a must-see event, so don't miss this year's peony garden blooming season. 

Really - don't miss it, because thanks to a warm March and even more warm weather recently, the garden is early and we've moved the bloom dates up considerably.  If one can ever be certain about nature or the weather we're now pretty sure that the peony garden will bloom between May 15 and the end of May or very early June.

Beyond a visit to to enjoy the blooms, if you'd like to dig a little deeper into the peony garden's storied history be sure to attend one or more in a series of free, staff-led tours during the 2012 peony bloom season. All tours take place in the Arboretum, 1610 Washington Hts. For more information, and to stay on top of the garden visit our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter  @MatthaeiNichols. Or call 734.647.7600.

Peony Garden tours:

Tuesday, May 15
12:15 pm
Staff Picks
Favorite peonies of Matthaei-Nichols staff
7:00 pm
Elements of Style
Demystifying peony forms and fashions

Wednesday, May 16
12:15 pm
Elements of Style
Demystifying peony forms and fashions
7:00 pm
What’s in a Name?
Peony names of the past—the who, what, when, and why

Thursday, May 17
12:15 p
What’s in a Name?
Peony names of the past—the who, what, when, and why
7:00 pm
Best in Show
Top-ranked peonies and why they were considered champions in their time

Friday, May 18
12:15 pm
Best in Show
Top-ranked peonies and why they were considered champions in their time
7:00 pm
What Price Peonies
From steep to cheap, peonies of the past and what we paid for them

Saturday, May 19
12:15 pm
What Price Peonies
From steep to cheap, peonies of the past and what we paid for them
7:00 pm
Building a Better Peony Garden
A behind-the-scenes look at the efforts of Matthaei-Nichols and many others to grow, maintain, and steward the historic peony garden now and for the future

Sunday, May 20
12:15 pm
Staff Picks
Favorite peonies of Matthaei-Nichols staff
7:00 pm
How to Grow Peonies
Experts tips, hints, and information from our staff on growing peonies right