It’s the 100th anniversary of the Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden in Ann Arbor, begun with the gift of a diverse collection of peonies from Dr. W. E. Upjohn, peony-lover, 1875 graduate of the University of Michigan, and founder of the pharmaceutical company that bears his name. The Garden now proudly holds North America’s largest public collection of heirloom herbaceous peonies, currently consisting of 350 historic varieties from the nineteenth to the first half of the twentieth century, including many of the original plants donated from 1922-1927. The American Peony Society was formed in nearby Detroit in 1903, so it seems fitting that they’re returning to their Michigan roots for their annual convention this year, to be held in Ann Arbor June 2-5. This article https://michigantoday.umich.edu/galleries/pretty-in-pink/ from the Michigan Daily provides lovely photos as well as more information about the history of the Gardens, and you can find out more about the American Peony Society’s convention at https://americanpeonysociety.org/100-years-in-bloom-michigan-convention/.