The Matthaei Botanical Gardens is an Ann Arbor jewel that many people may not be aware of. The Gardens are located off of Dixburo between Plymouth and Geddes. The Conservatory was opened in 1964. It is a commission by Alden B. Dow, the only Architect Laureate designated by the State of Michigan. This building is an exceptionally rare structure. It is believed to be the largest free-span (no supporting columns) Conservatory of its structural style and represents a technological limit of architectural materials and climatic controls in a pre-computer era.
Here are few events coming up. See the Website for more information
Earthday Festival
Sunday, April 22, noon to 4 pm
Matthaei Botanical Gardens
The community's annual Earthday Festival will be hosted at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. This is a family friendly event featuring performers, information, demonstrations, and activities. Free
Natural Areas Ecological Restoration Workdays
Saturday, April 21, 9 am
Meet in west lobby Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Join Natural Areas Steward Aunita Erskine to pull garlic mustard and have an informative tour in Kirk Woods. This MBGNA property is a high quality Oak Opening woods due in large part to Aunita, staff and volunteer's persistent work. Our efforts look promising but we need your help to further our success. We will car pool to the site. Tools and kneeling pads provided. Please RSVP to Barbara Major at 734-647-8528 or email bamajor@umich.edu
Saturday, April 28, 9 am
Meet in west lobby Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Join Natural Areas Steward Sylvia Taylor and Botanical Club Members to pull garlic mustard in Horner Woods, a high quality, old growth woods. Their heroic efforts have minimized invasive plant inundation but diligent weeding is needed every year. Sylvia will give a tour of the site as well as share with you her knowledge of these woods. We will car pool to the site. Tools and kneeling pads provided. Please RSVP to Barbara Major at 734-647-8528 or email bamajor@umich.edu
New and improved Spring Plant Sale! This year's sale will feature gardening demonstrations every half hour on Saturday and Sunday. Demos include children's gardening, heirloom bulbs and ground cover alternatives, by such well-known experts as Scott Kunst and our own Bob Grese. We'll also have two one-hour k-5 children's walks so parents can shop while the children visit our Sue Reichert Discovery Trail. Join us May 5 and 6 (members only pre-sale May 4). Visit our web site : http://www.mbgna.umich.edu/ for hours, directions, plant list, featured plant and demonstration schedule.
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