40th Annual Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Show

The Ann Arbor Bonsai Society show is a longstanding tradition and an opportunity for visitors to get an up-close look at some first-rate examples of skillfully tended trees. In honor of that tradition this year’s show pays tribute to renowned local bonsai instructors and artists Jack Wikle and Bill Heston for their contributions to the Society and for their lifelong pursuit of the art and practice of bonsai.

The show features over 100 trees on display and includes workshops, demonstrations, vendors, and more. Plus, visitors may vote in the People’s Choice for their favorite bonsai selections from different categories.

During the Bonsai Show the Matthaei Botanical Gardens is offering free staff-led tours of its bonsai collection, including trees recently acquired from Jack Wikle. Tour attendees will also get a look at the site of the new bonsai and penjing garden currently under construction at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Tours are held 11 am and 1 pm, Sat., Aug. 25; 1 pm, Sun., Aug. 26.

Admission: $3 adults; under 12 free. Sat. & Sun., Aug. 25 & 26, 10 am–4:30 pm, Matthaei Botanical Gardens.

Sponsored by the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society and the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum. Info: annarborbonsaisociety.org or call 734.647.7600.

Great Lakes Garden Moving Day

Last Thursday, Aug. 16, Matthaei-Nichols interns, staff, and volunteers gathered at the site of the new Great Lakes Garden at Matthaei. It was all part of an effort to move native plants in preparation for the construction of the Great Lakes Garden. Crew leaders Adrienne O'Brien, Connie Crancer, and Carmen Leskoviansky directed the work, which involved digging up plants and moving them to a nursery area near the field parking lot.

Perfect weather prevailed (read: not too hot) for a change as crew members carefully dug the plants, shook of the dirt, clipped off the tops, and transported the plant material to the nursery area.

Pictured below is a shot of some of the plants shorn of their upper biomass and carefully placed in wheelbarrows for easy transportation to the nursery.

Some of the plants may find their way back into the Great Lakes Garden site before the snow flies, says Crancer, but most will spend the winter in the nursery and eventually be planted in the GLG next spring.

The Great Lakes Garden will be a place to showcase the amazing diversity of Great Lakes flora and the habitats in which they live. Check out the story about the Garden (called "A Sense of Place")  in the fall 2012 Matthaei-Nichols newsletter.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Great Lakes Garden Moving Day!

Prairie dock  plants with their large root systems

Replanting at the nursery