University of Michigan Runners Cultivate Spring Blooms Through Fall Cleanup

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- As the seasons change, members of the University of Michigan men's and women's cross country teams undertake an annual tradition that benefits both their team cohesion and the famed W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden on campus. Four months after the garden draws tens of thousands of visitors for its peak bloom, the student athletes volunteer their time to clear and prepare hundreds of historic peony plants for the winter months.

The Upjohn Garden, situated at the Nichols Arboretum, is home to hundreds of cultivated peony varieties dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, representing Asian, European, and North American origins. At its height in May and June, the garden can feature approximately 10,000 flowers.

During the fall cleanup, the peonies are in a dormancy phase. The athletes' work of cutting down foliage is crucial for preparing the nearly 800 plants for winter. This annual effort not only sets the stage for a spectacular bloom the following spring but also aids in disease prevention by removing plant matter that could carry over.

What typically takes the university staff a week to complete is accomplished by the runners in about an hour, a testament to their collective effort. The tradition was initiated by longtime women's cross country coach Mike McGuire, who has been familiar with the arboretum since his days as a student at Michigan in the 1970s.

Team members describe the event as a valuable exercise in teamwork and camaraderie. For graduate student Penelopea Gordon, it marks her fourth year participating in the peony pruning. She noted the sense of shared responsibility and mutual encouragement among her teammates. "You got this part, I got this part," she said, highlighting the team bonding aspect.

Freshman runner Kenny Champ, experiencing his first fall cleanup, focused on efficiently collecting cut-back peonies and debris for removal. He described the task as a personal challenge to maximize his collection efforts.

For athletes like Gordon, the preparation in the fall adds a layer of meaning to the garden's eventual spring display. "It's that much more meaningful when we get to clean it up and get it ready for the wintertime and then it can have its beautiful spring bloom," she stated.

Olivia Liebing-Slater, collections horticulturist at the Nichols Arboretum, expressed appreciation for the team's contribution, noting that the event is anticipated months in advance. She emphasized the importance of the runners' energy and well-coordinated work in ensuring the garden's success for the spring season.