Is summer (in the Northern hemisphere), temperatures are rising and if in the city the heat forces to take breaks to refresh. A good idea is to stop by parks and gardens. Some green urban areas are more than a park or a garden, they are historic nature areas with knowledge, a sort of a museum of living vegetation, and tehy are very worthwhile visiting.
One is these gardens is in the city of Antwerp (Belgium). It is a small botanical garden right in in the historic quartier of the city, the Plantentuin Stad Antwerpen is more than 200 years old and in early moments it was a resource for medicinal plants for a nearby hospital.
Currently, the Plantentuin is owned by the city of Anwerp and since 1950 is listed as a garden of great value. It has three sides surronded by buildings, and one side is open to the street, but it does not feel enclosed. We can find a great number of specimens between trees, shrubs, more than 2000 herbs and a kitchen garden and a parterre succulents of cactuses, that is very appreciated by visitors for its rarety considering the climate of the city.
I have visited the garden in different seasons, here is a general view from last March, a grey a cold day, but the garden started to offer some signs of spring.
The main entrance at Leopoldstraat is an invitation to a long and pleasant walk
One is these gardens is in the city of Antwerp (Belgium). It is a small botanical garden right in in the historic quartier of the city, the Plantentuin Stad Antwerpen is more than 200 years old and in early moments it was a resource for medicinal plants for a nearby hospital.
Currently, the Plantentuin is owned by the city of Anwerp and since 1950 is listed as a garden of great value. It has three sides surronded by buildings, and one side is open to the street, but it does not feel enclosed. We can find a great number of specimens between trees, shrubs, more than 2000 herbs and a kitchen garden and a parterre succulents of cactuses, that is very appreciated by visitors for its rarety considering the climate of the city.
I have visited the garden in different seasons, here is a general view from last March, a grey a cold day, but the garden started to offer some signs of spring.
Last weeks I visited the garden again, to find this month the perfect to enjoy all the beauty, color and splendor, especially in a mostly sunny afternoon.
The main entrance at Leopoldstraat is an invitation to a long and pleasant walk
parterres with seasonal blooming are part of the attraction
a beautiful brugmansia in pale pink
and some ponds add a touch of rich biodiversity
lotus and carpas live in pleasant contemplation
one of the paths are dedicated to liquidambars
with some great samples of cephalaria gigantea
It is a place that attracts vistors all day long
visitors of all kinds .... like the bees in these beautiful samples of blue echinops
The area of the kitchen garden, one of the favorites to walk
and the herbs corner all with labels to identify the plants
There are place for exotic specimens like this beauty, strelitzia reginae (bird of paradise)
One of my favorites tree, magnolia grandiflora with early summer bloomings
And one of the curiosites, the cactus garden
IThere are many intimate corners for relax
and many different plants to discover and enjoy for its beauty, like the rudbeckia laciniata
It is also a place to learn about nature and biodiversity
And the side to the street, is closed by a stoned fence from where we can still admire the garden inside once it is closed A place definitely to visit more than once.
Comments