The Aarhus Botanical Garden in Denmark
Situated in Denmark is the attractive Aarhus Botanical Garden, located west of the Aarhus Old Town open-air village museum, Den Gamle By. Established in 1873, the original garden featured fruit trees and a variety of useful plants. Spanning an area of 53 acres (21.5 hectares), Denmark’s Aarhus Botanical Garden today is home to thousands of species of native and imported plants. The Garden is especially noted for its collection of trees and bushes, rock gardens , beech woods, theme beds, and bog areas.
The garden landscape is varied and interesting, with winding paths and scenic walkways. It offers lovely views and opportunities to relax under the big trees and alongside the the Hessel Brook, an outlet of Aarhus Stream, that flows through the park. At the top of a rise, above the impressive rock gardens, there is a large greenhouse, designed in 1970 by C.F.Møller Architects. Alongside this original greenhouse is the dome of the city’s new tropical hothouse, scheduled for completion in 2014. At the time my husband and I paid our visit in April 2014, the greenhouses were not yet open for the season.
Strolling through the park, taking in the scenery, it is easy to see that this park is a popular destination. While it never felt crowded, there were many folks scattered throughout the park, sitting around the park’s two little lakes, reading books under the big trees along the stream, sitting on the grass banks, or resting on the park benches along the walkways. During the course of the year, the park is home to a variety of public activities, putting its ampitheatre to good use.
In Aarhus, the upkeep of thousands of plant species and the labour-intensive care of the land benefits from the support and involvement of the public and a dedicated non-profit community organization. The Aarhus garden had been suffering from a shortage of funds when a group of citizens founded the “Friends of The Botanical Garden” in 2011. Within a year, working as volunteers, these friends of the garden helped to ensure continuance, among other initiatives, of The Botanical Garden’s arboretum and rose gardens.
Also lending support was Aarhus University, which took on responsibility along with Aarhus Municipality for maintaining the greenhouses. Community commitment, combined with a broadening of focus to include both scientific study and public awareness and education, has ensured that The Aarhus Botanical Garden continues its vital role as one of Denmark’s important “plant sanctuaries” where diverse trees, shrub, and plant specimens can continue to thrive.
If you are visiting Denmark and would like information on The Aarhus Botanical Garden, there are a number of websites in Danish and English that can offer you assistance.
Photos and Text: NK
Photo location: Aarhus, Denmark
Copyright: NK/cookiebuxton.com
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