The need for a university botanical gardens and arboretum was identified by the founders of the University of Michigan and encouragement of the establishment of such facilities was written into the University's 1817 Charter. Today visitors to the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan can enjoy the fruits of such wise forethought by visiting the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum.
Nichols Arboretum is a 123-acre living museum nestled in the hills adjacent to U-M's Central Campus. The 1906 historic design by O.C. Simonds celebrates the dramatic topography. Long views are framed by the Arb's collection of Michigan native plants and plants from around the world. Visitors can enjoy hundreds of species of plants native to Michigan, as well as collections of horticultural varieties of plants and plants native to other parts of North America. Nichols is particularly known for its historic Peony Collection, Heathdale Collection (species primarily from the Applachian area), and the Dow Prairie. For more information on these collections, see the Collections section of this website.
The Matthaei Botanical Gardens, a gift by Fred Matthaei Sr. and Mildred Hague Matthaei, is a 300-acre site that includes a variety of outdoor display gardens, a 10,000+ square-foot conservatory, and miles of nature trails. While the outdoor gardens provide a peaceful respite and breathtaking displays during the summer, the indoor Conservatory provides a welcome spot of green throughout the year, displaying plants from tropical rainforests, Mediterranean-type climates, and deserts. Our trails provide an opportunity to appreciate nature year-round.
Nichols Arboretum
University of Michigan
1610 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104.
