Early Sunday morning, approximately 250 peony plants—about one-third of the collection—were found with their flowers deliberately cut off at the W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden in the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor.
This act of vandalism targeted one of North America’s largest and most historic collections of herbaceous peonies, which includes around 800 plants nurtured for generations and cherished by the community for their seasonal beauty and connection to nature.
Garden director Tony Kolenic expressed deep sorrow over the incident, emphasizing that these peonies are living beings that bring joy and a sense of community. Despite the damage, the roots remain intact, and the garden is expected to bloom again next spring.
Alongside the cut flowers, about 100 paper signs were left scattered throughout the garden. These signs carried messages that devalued the plants, stating, “Plant lives don’t matter. Human lives do,” and urged support for Palestinian lives over the flowers.
No group has claimed responsibility for the vandalism, which is under investigation by the University of Michigan’s Division of Public Safety and Security.
The Matthaei Botanical Gardens, established in 1907, spans over 300 acres and includes diverse landscapes with multiple gardens and nature trails. The peony garden is a treasured part of this space, known for its historic significance and the fleeting beauty of its blooms, which only last a short time each year.
Community members and garden staff have responded with sadness and resolve, arranging the cut flowers into hearts and messages of hope within the garden. University officials condemned the destruction, calling it unacceptable and urging dialogue through constructive means rather than vandalism.
