FULL GARDENS .com - Famous Botanical Gardens in Russia

Famous Botanical Gardens in Russia [Back]

Russia, with its vast and diverse landscapes, is home to several renowned botanical gardens that serve as centers for plant conservation, research, and public education. These gardens showcase a wide array of flora, from native species adapted to Russia's varied climates to exotic plants from around the world. They play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, studying plant species, and offering serene environments for visitors to connect with nature. Here are some of the most notable botanical gardens in Russia:

Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden

Established in 1714 by Peter the Great, the Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden is one of Russia's oldest botanical institutions. Located on Aptekarsky Island, it spans 18.9 hectares and houses approximately 6,700 plant species from various regions worldwide. The garden features both outdoor collections and 25 historic greenhouses, some dating back to the early 19th century. These greenhouses contain extensive collections, including tropical plants, ferns, cacti, and succulents. The garden also boasts a significant herbarium with over five million specimens, serving as a vital resource for botanical research.

Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Founded in 1945, the Main Botanical Garden in Moscow is among the largest botanical gardens in Europe, covering an area of 3.61 square kilometers. It showcases over 20,000 plant species, including a notable collection of roses and an oak forest with trees averaging over a century in age. The garden serves as a research hub, focusing on plant conservation and acclimatization studies, and offers visitors a chance to explore diverse plant collections in various thematic sections.

Botanical Garden of Tver State University

Established on October 30, 1879, the Botanical Garden of Tver State University is the northernmost botanical garden featuring an exhibition of steppe plants. Located in Tver, near the confluence of the Volga and Tvertsa rivers, it encompasses 2.6 hectares and is recognized as a site of historical, cultural, and natural heritage. The garden hosts about 350 species of trees and shrubs and over 2,500 herbaceous plants, committed to preserving the botanical biodiversity of the Upper Volga region. A notable feature is a pond dating back to the 18th century.

Komarov Botanical Institute

Located in Saint Petersburg, the Komarov Botanical Institute is a leading botanical institution in Russia, named after the esteemed botanist Vladimir Leontyevich Komarov. Established in 1931 through the merger of the Botanical Garden and the Botanical Museum of the Academy of Sciences, the institute hosts the Saint Petersburg Botanical Garden and maintains herbarium collections housing over seven million specimens of plants and fungi. It plays a pivotal role in botanical research and taxonomy in Russia.

Friendship Tree Garden Museum

Situated in Sochi, the Friendship Tree Garden Museum is home to the unique Friendship Tree, a citrus tree onto which sprigs from various citrus species have been grafted by people from 167 countries, symbolizing international friendship. The surrounding subtropical botanical garden features collections of subtropical fruit and ornamental plants, representing over 200 species across eighty botanical families. The museum showcases the history of the Friendship Tree and houses gifts from international visitors, reflecting diverse cultures and traditions.