Hundreds of iconic peonies at the University of Michigan were reportedly vandalized recently. The We Upjohn Peony Garden, known for having North America’s largest collection of historic herbaceous peonies—with around 800 plants and 10,000 flowers during peak bloom—experienced significant damage. About a third of these plants were found mutilated on a Sunday morning.
University officials stated that while no group condones vandalism, the surrounding materials indicated potential motives. One piece of paper left behind contained strong political statements. It included lines expressing that “human life is more important” than plant life and called for resistance against imperialism.
The message continued, emphasizing that “Palestinian lives deserve care more than these flowers” and asserted that the peonies would survive and bloom again next spring.
The university condemned the vandalism, calling it “completely unacceptable.” Officials expressed dismay over the destruction of property and stated that such acts undermine community spaces meant for reflection and hope. They encouraged constructive dialogue among community members.
This incident is not the first act of vandalism connected to anti-Israel sentiments on the campus. In October, the president’s home was sprayed with political messages. The current situation was particularly notable, coinciding with alleged violent incidents at a pro-Israel demonstration in Colorado that injured several individuals.
As of now, the university’s Department of Public Safety and Security is investigating the incident. A spokesperson for the university didn’t provide further comments to inquiries about the event.
