Botanical Garden in Summer

Daylilies and Astilbe

A little while ago, I went on a second trip to the Berlin Botanical Garden. It's always wonderful to follow a garden through the seasons, and this garden did not disappoint!

Lavender and roses

I especially enjoy how this garden works on combining the aesthetically pleasing with the scientifically interesting - it educates and delights the senses. Above, a traditional lavender and rose border, with the lavender visited by many happy pollinators, and the rosehips waiting to be eaten by birds and other critters.

Same here - mediterranean plants such as lavender and salvias, labeled clearly, but also the beautiful sitting area and lamp.

Moss garden with removable cover

I was especially taken by the wetland area and the moss garden. The moss garden is being protected from animals and has an astonishing abundance of species. A sign explains the different types of mosses and lychen and where they occur. The exhibit is dedicated to a scientist who died at an early age - her mother continues her work by supporting the garden.

Last time, James and I had just followed the first path, whereas this time I followed the path to the best summer bloomers and it started, interestingly, in the greenhouses. I'm wondering whether the map was prepared this way because visitors are usually tired by the time they get to the greenhouses, but, regardless, I enjoyed them a lot more this time and was just astounded by how much space was devoted to them.

It makes sense, of course. A large percentage of the world's plants does not tolerate frost, so tropical, dessert, and subtropical plants must be sheltered in winter.

I can imagine coming here on a cold day, enjoying the colors, the sound of water, and the warmth.

Visiting the greenhouses is included in the entrance fee, so, unlike SF where you pay extra for the conservatory and the arboretum, you get a 2-for-1 deal (the museum is extra, but it seems I'm always ready to go home after several hours in the gardens).

California in Berlin

Another joyful discovery was the California natives garden. While it seemed a bit of a mix of desert plants and high-sierra plants, it looked beautiful.

Most impressive was how well kept the garden was. I met several gardeners, hard at work with clippers and other tools, keeping invasives or inappropriate plants out of each botanical region. I can't even imagine what a job this must be, but clearly the funds are there to pay a dedicated and educated staff. The garden is part of the Freie Universitaet Berlin, one of the big universities in the city, but I believe funds from the city itself are also available.

I especially enjoyed the mock-latin writing on the garbage cans. Above, Payurus antiquus, or old paper.

And here, Plasticus berlinensis, or Berlin plastic.

Even when I finally started on my way home, flowers on the electrical cabinet gave a final good-bye. And yes, I'm sure I'll go back!