5/17/2008      58°F | Mostly Cloudy
The University of Michigan
Arb Parking Tip There are often FREE street parking spaces available on Oswego St. near the Arb's Geddes Street entrance. Click here for a map.
what's in bloom
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum burst to life come spring time. The Peonies start to peek. The woody plants begin to flower. The daffodil line emerges at the Arb. Check out the bloom calendar.
Looking for a central location to hold a group meeting? How about catching up on some of your reading at a riverside bench? We have some of the University's best study spots.

The Marie Azary Rock Garden presents a range of plants suitable for our calcareous (high pH) soils and water. In this garden, succulents, tight cushions, creeping mats and silvery foliage abound. These growth forms allow the plants to cope with the naturally hot and dry conditions of exposed crevices and cliff faces.
 
Many of the plants are quite small, so look carefully! While the peak bloom is in spring, the plants are of interest throughout the growing season. The perennials growing on the rocks have been there for many years - some are the original plants from Marie Azary. All these plants are hardy in the Ann Arbor area provided they have the perfect drainage of their wilderness habitats. The porous tufa rock is not volcanic: it is formed at and below ground level under special alkaline conditions in our region.

The Marie Azary Rock Garden is at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens site.

Marie Azary was a devoted gardener, rock garden enthusiast, and supporter of the Gardens. She donated her rock garden for all to enjoy in 1985, and it is the foundation of the garden you see today. MBGNA gardens need private support and provide donors with many giving opportunities and recognition. For more details, please contact the Development Office at 1-734-615-9475.

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