Rhododendron-Park Bremen
Bremen
Rhododendron-Park Bremen is renowned as the largest rhododendron and azalea collection globally, spanning 46 hectares in Bremen, Germany. Established in 1933 by the German Rhododendron Society on former farmland and forest, it opened to the public in 1937. The park features over 2,000 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas, including wild species from North America and cultivars from Germany, the Czech Republic, and the United States. The botanical garden within the park covers 3.2 hectares and hosts diverse plant collections such as alpine plants, geographical flora from the Americas, Asia, Australia, and the Balkans, medicinal and crop plants, and native species of northwest Germany, some endangered. Notable areas include the Azalea Park with streams and lawns, the Rhododendron Forest dating back to 1936, a Bonsai Garden, a Rose Garden with 230 varieties, and a Scent Garden with aromatic herbs. The Botanika nature center, opened in 2003, is Germany's largest, featuring Asian landscapes, rhododendrons from Nepal, Tibet, Yunnan, and Burma, statues, prayer wheels, and the largest Buddha statue outside Asia. The park is a living museum and a vibrant testament to garden culture, offering colorful blooms especially from late April to mid-June. It is managed by a nonprofit foundation and remains open daily with free admission to the park, while Botanika charges an entrance fee.
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Tip: The best time to visit Rhododendron-Park Bremen is during the main blooming season from late April to mid-June, when rhododendrons and azaleas are in full color. Admission to the park is free, but a fee applies for the Botanika nature center. Visitors are encouraged to check the official website for guided tours, lectures, and events. Booking tickets for Botanika in advance is recommended during peak seasons. Donations help maintain the park's quality and free access.
Interesting facts
- •Rhododendron-Park Bremen holds the world's largest collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, with over 650 wild species and 3,700 cultivars.
- •The Botanika nature center within the park is Germany's largest nature experience center and features the largest Buddha statue outside Asia.
- •The park's rhododendron forest includes plants first planted in 1936, making it a historic and mature woodland area.
- •The park is part of the German Rhododendron Society's efforts and serves as a base for breeding new rhododendron cultivars renewed every five years.
- •The park includes a Bonsai Garden designed as a dry Zen garden and a Rose Garden with 230 varieties.
History
The botanical garden was originally created in 1905 by businessman Franz Schütte at a different location in Bremen.
The current Rhododendron Park was initiated in 1933 by the German Rhododendron Society on land formerly used as farmland and forest, opening to the public in 1937.
The park expanded and developed over the decades, adding facilities such as greenhouses in the 1970s, a rose garden in 1998, and the Botanika nature center in 2003.
Ownership was transferred to a nonprofit foundation in 2007.
The park's collections and area have continuously grown, incorporating new gardens and thematic areas to showcase plant diversity.
Place Guide
Azalea Park
A large landscaped park area with streams and lawns showcasing azaleas beneath old beech and oak trees. It features wild species from North America and historic and current cultivars from Germany, the Czech Republic, and the USA.
Rhododendron Forest1936
An old, densely vegetated part of the park where the first rhododendrons were planted in 1936, featuring mature specimens in a natural forest setting.
Rhododendron Park
The core area with over 2,000 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas, including new cultivars developed by German breeders and renewed every five years.
Botanika Nature Center2003
Germany's largest nature experience center opened in 2003, featuring Asian landscapes under glass, rhododendrons from Nepal, Tibet, Yunnan, and Burma, statues, prayer wheels, a Chinese tea pavilion, and the largest Buddha statue outside Asia.
Rose Garden1998
A 10,000 square meter garden designed by Eckhard Brülle, opened in 1998 featuring 230 rose varieties, integrated in the park's extension area.
Bonsai Garden
A dry Zen garden featuring bonsai trees, providing a contemplative space within the park.
Contact
Phone: 0421 42706615
