The University of Michigan
what's in bloom
In spring, Matthaei and the Arb burst into life. Over 20,000 daffodils in a line emerge and bloom at the Arb The fragrance of lilacs is on the air. Woody plants show off their flowers and the peonies peak in June.
Check out the bloom calendar.
study spots
Looking for a location to hold a group meeting? We have some of the University's best study spots.

awards and recognition

  • 2012 Student Award Opportunities

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum offers cash prizes and awards to University of Michigan students to recognize creative work and scholarship related to our mission. This year, the Nanette R. LaCross Prize(s), the William D. Drake Prize(s), and the Winifred B. Chase Fellowship are open for nomination and/or application. All applications are due via email before 5:00 pm on Friday, January 13th, 2012.
Click here to view the award opportunities.

  • The Ann Arbor News Reader Choice Awards:

  • 2008 Best Place to Hike: Nichols Arboretum
  • 2007 Best Place to Hike: Nichols Arboretum
  • 2007 Best Community Park: Nichols Arboretum
  • 2006 Best Place to Hike: Nichols Arboretum

  • Award winning Orchids:

  • Dendrobium lineale 'Elizabeth'
    Awarded a Certificate of Cultural Merit by the American Orchid Society in 1996
  • Cattleya percivaliana 'Alberts'
    Matthaei Botanical Gardens was awarded a Certificate of Cultural Merit by the American Orchid Society in 2006. 'Alberts' was also selected from among all other natural species awarded in the U.S. in 2006 for the Ann & Phil Jesup Botanical Trophy and from all other awarded Cattleya-type orchids for the Masatoshi Miyamoto Cattleya Alliance Award.
  • Oncidium Illustre 'Matthaei'
    Awarded a Highly Commendable Certificate by the American Orchid Society in 1994. In 1996, it was awarded a Certificate of Cultural Merit.

  • Past Student Awards:
Apr 2007 In April 3 U-M students, Jake Serwer, Ben Friedman and Sam Roston, took top honors in the adult category of the Miller's Creek Film Festival with their film River Bank Rescue. The film details work to repair the Huron River shoreline at the Arboretum's River Landings. Congratulations to these young film makers. And thanks for thinking that our story was important enough to tell.


Michigan Web Design by Boxcar Studio