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There is nowhere better to experience
seasons at one and the same time. By following our suggested route, you
will discover those plants and parts of the Botanic Garden that are now
at their most beautiful. Of course you will also find many plants that
are well worth seeing in other parts of the Garden too.
Plants bloom, smell and fruit earlier or later in the year depending on
the weather conditions. We wish you a pleasant trip through the plant
world. |
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Escape the Berlin winter and retreat into the lush plant world of more
southern climes in the greenhouses! Start in the African desert with its
innumerable species of aloe, kalanchoe and succulent euphorbia. A
highlight during the cool winter months is the Jade Tree’s splendid
display of white blossom. |
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 After
passing through the cactus-filled American desert, the trail continues
on to the Cape region where, after the onset of the rainy season, many
plants begin to bloom. Take delight in heathers, bulbous plants such as
the small Cape Cowslip, and of course the Bird of Paradise flower. Its
scientific name Strelitzia reginae was bestowed in 1789 in honour of the
then British queen Sophie Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, a
German-born princess. |
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 In
Australia it is now summertime: you will be enchanted by blooming Spider
Flowers and the brilliant red of the Kaka Beak, while the eucalyptus and
the golden-yellow spherical flower clusters of the acacia compete with
one another to perfume the air. It may interest you to know that the
latter are falsely sold in the flower trade under the name ‘mimosa’. The
primeval tree Wollemia nobilis, which was only discovered a few years
ago, is also to be marvelled at here. |
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 Step
into the East Asian spring with blooming azaleas, Chinese primroses,
Winter Jasmin and camellias. In their native habitat wild camellias are
mainly pollinated by birds that have no sense of smell. Their flowers
are indeed a magnificent sight, but have hardly any scent. Numerous
species of citrus fruit trees on the other hand release the intense
scent of their blossoms and bear fruit at the same time. |
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 Experience
tropical warmth and humidity in the Main Tropical Greenhouse. There are
no seasons in the tropics as there are in our part of the world, but at
most an occasional alternation between dry and rainy periods. This makes
it possible to observe a wide range of different plants growing,
blooming and fruiting here all year round. |
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 If
you walk past the begonias and passion flowers you reach the tropical
useful plants. Plants that yield winter spices such as cinnamon, ginger
and cardamom are represented here alongside sugar cane, coffee, pepper
and the coconut palm. The fruits of the Cocoa Tree grow directly on the
trunk and provide the raw material for chocolate. |
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 In
the orchid house you will find clear evidence that vanilla is also a
member of this plant family. Then go down the stairs to the left and
delight in the blood-red flower heads of the Red Powder Puff, which in
their native South American habitat attract hummingbirds, thus ensuring
pollination. Roam further through the humid tropics and the varied world
of the ferns until you come to the bromeliads, a plant family that
includes the pineapple along with many other popular ornamental plants. |
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 Go
out briefly into the chill winter air before seeking sanctuary in the
Mediterranean Greenhouse. All round the Mediterranean the winter brings
extensive rainfall, allowing Cyclamen, Branched Asphodel, Cretan Arum
and many other plants to bloom. On the Canary Islands – the ‘islands of
eternal spring’ – Viper’s Bugloss, Sow Thistle, various species of
spurge and aeonium as well as the symbol of the islands, the Canary
Island Bellflower, are now all in bloom. |
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 Pay
a visit to the winter-hardy cacti in the open air. These cacti, which
successfully withstand the Berlin winter, grow wild right down into
southern Canada and are suited to comparable winter weather conditions.
On an information board nearby you will find out how these cacti are
able to survive the frost. |
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 Even
the outdoor areas present trees and shrubs that bloom during the winter.
In the touch and scent garden, the Wintersweet unfolds its bewitchingly
fragranced flowers and even attracts insects. Only a very severe frost
will damage the flowers. The yellow blossom of the Winter Jasmin has no
scent, however, in contrast to most members of the genus. |
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 The
conifers in the arboretum demonstrate the great variety of commercially
available ‘Christmas trees’. Their mainly scale-like and needle-like
leaves are ideally suited to the winter cold. Outdoors, they remain on
the tree for several years, but in the centrally heated atmosphere of
the Christmas living room they very soon start to drop off. |
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 The
Chinese Witch Hazel fully deserves its German common name of ‘Magic
Nut’: in the middle of winter its buds open and its narrow petals unfurl
in the sunshine. The flowers exude an intensive smell and attract
insects. If there is a further cold snap, the delicate petals roll
themselves up again. The flowers are able to bear frosty conditions as
low as -10°C without suffering any major damage. |
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