In a targeted act of vandalism, approximately 250 peony blooms were severed at the University of Michigan’s W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, coinciding with the garden’s peak bloom season. This incident, which affected about one-third of the garden’s 800 plants, was discovered early Sunday morning by the university’s Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS). The W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, located within Nichols Arboretum, is renowned for its collection of nearly 800 peony plants, showcasing over 10,000 flowers at peak bloom.
Investigators found approximately 100 signs scattered throughout the garden, bearing messages that linked the act to pro-Palestinian sentiments. One sign read, “Plant lives don’t matter. Human lives do,” while another stated, “Palestinian lives deserve to be cared for. More than these flowers.”
The university condemned the vandalism, stating, “We unequivocally condemn the destruction of property and any act of vandalism on our campus. Damaging a beloved community space intended to foster reflection and bring hope to the whole community is counterproductive.” The DPSS has launched an investigation into the incident, treating it as a criminal matter.
This event adds to a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and acts of vandalism on the University of Michigan campus. In October, anti-Israel messages were spray-painted on the property of University President Santa Ono, including the words “intifada” and “coward.” Additionally, in December, a Jewish trustee of the university found his window broken and pro-Palestinian graffiti on his wife’s car, marking the third time he had been targeted in such incidents.
The Nichols Arboretum’s Peony Garden has been a cherished site for over a century, attracting more than 75,000 visitors each season. The garden features 350 historic herbaceous varieties dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries.
As the investigation continues, the university urges all community members to engage in constructive and meaningful dialogue, emphasizing that acts of vandalism are not acceptable forms of protest.
