Famous Botanical Gardens in Poland [Back]
Poland's rich botanical heritage is showcased through its numerous botanical gardens and arboreta, which serve as centers for conservation, research, and public education. These gardens offer visitors the opportunity to explore a diverse array of plant species, reflecting the country's commitment to preserving its natural flora and fostering environmental awareness. Here are some of the most notable botanical gardens in Poland:
Wojslawice Arboretum
Located in Wojslawice, Dzierzoniów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, the Wojslawice Arboretum spans 62 hectares. Since 1988, it has been a branch of the University of Wroclaw Botanical Garden. The arboretum is renowned for its vast collections of rhododendrons, daylilies, boxwoods, and peonies, as well as many other rare species and varieties of trees and shrubs. In 2019, the Polish Millennial Garden was opened, presenting a unique collection of Polish-bred cultivars of ornamental plants and various Polish plant species that are threatened, endangered, and protected.
Kórnik Arboretum
Situated in Kórnik, the Kórnik Arboretum is the largest and oldest arboretum in Poland and the fourth-largest in Europe, encompassing over 40 hectares. Established in the early 19th century around the historical Kórnik Castle by Count Tytus Dzialynski, the arboretum boasts over 3,300 taxa of trees and shrubs. It is famous for its rich collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, conifers, lilacs, apple trees, cherries, meadowsweets, honeysuckles, poplars, and birches. The Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences is located within the arboretum.
University of Wroclaw Botanical Garden
Established in 1811, the University of Wroclaw Botanical Garden covers 7.4 hectares, with an additional 0.33 hectares under glass. The garden houses about 7,500 species of plants, including both greenhouse and ground collections. Notable features include an arboretum with diverse tree species, an alpine garden displaying geological cross-sections, and extensive collections of ornamental plants. Since 1988, the garden has managed the Wojslawice Arboretum as a satellite garden.
Dendrological Garden in Przelewice
Founded in 1933, the Dendrological Garden in Przelewice is located in Przelewice, Pyrzyce County, and occupies 45 hectares. The garden cultivates over 1,000 taxa, with special collections of Picea, Chamaecyparis, Juniperus, Abies, Thuja, Taxus, Acer, Malus, Magnolia, Betula, and Cotoneaster. Notable features include a monumental European white elm with a girth of 607 cm and a height of 31 meters (as of 2012).
Warsaw University Library Rooftop Garden
Opened in 2002, the Warsaw University Library's rooftop garden is one of the largest in Europe, offering panoramic views of Warsaw. Designed by landscape architect Irena Bajerska, the garden features four distinct color-coded areas and serves as a popular 'third place' for locals and visitors alike. The library itself, established in 1816, has endured through significant historical events and now stands as a symbol of Poland's resilience and dedication to knowledge.