Botanical gardens
CATALONIA
The following list contains a series of links to the most important botanical gardens in Catalonia. As mentioned earlier, botanical gardens are institutions established for the purposes of research, conservation and the dissemination of plant diversity in that they exhibit scientific collections of living plants. This selection also includes other gardens that feature plant collections organized according to their habitats and landscapes, or other criteria, which share the educational and informative ends of botanical gardens. These are generally collections or gardens belonging to cultural institutions such as museums, foundations or interpretation or visitor centres, where even though the garden or botanical aspect may not be the main reason for the visit, are very interesting in themselves. Finally, it also includes some interesting botanical gardens of some university faculties which can be visited even though they may be restricted to internal educational activities.
Finally, it is worth remembering that we have only featured gardens with an active website, so this criterion inevitably excludes other botanical gardens or collections of great interest that cannot be viewed on a website.
Catalonia
Website of the educational portal Edu3.cat where you can view a video produced by the Department of Education of the Generalitat of Catalonia which describes the educational potential of the Arboretum.
Detailed information on the gardens, which contain an interesting collection of more than 50 species of conifers, some of which are over 100 years old. Various trees have been listed as Monumental Trees by the Generalitat of Catalonia.
Website hosted on the educational portal xtec containing basic information presented in a brief, schematic way. The garden contains examples of the wooded species of the Montseny massif such as oaks and cork oaks.
Very detailed information and a wealth of photos. The Barcelona botanical garden was created in 1999 based on a restoration project of an old solid waste dump in the park of Montjuïc. It features a huge variety of Mediterranean plants.
Website of the Caixa Foundation containing very detailed information. The origins of the castle and garden go back to 1927, when the Woevodsky family decided to move to this idyllic spot on the Costa Brava and were fortunate enough to have the English aristocrat and decorator Dorothy Webster as their landscape gardener. The gardens lie on a breathtaking promontory on the Costa Brava which allows a huge variety of Mediterranean, exotic, tropical and subtropical flora to flourish.
Website containing basic information. The Pinya de Rosa botanical gardens lie between the towns of Blanes and Lloret de Mar. The gardens contain more than 7,000 species and specialise in cactus. Of all the collections, those of the Agave, Aloe, Lucca and Opuntias genus are regarded as the best in Europe and in some cases the best in the world.
Website containing detailed information managed by the Associació d'Amics del Jardí. This was the first garden of medicinal plants in Catalonia and features more than 250 species. The aim of the garden is educational, so various different activities are organised on the theme of medicinal plants, ranging from conferences to exhibitions.
Website of the Santa Margarida i els Monjos town council with a link to detailed information on this garden. The botanical garden of Molí del Foix, which depends of the Nature Learning Centre of Molí del Foix, is an historic and natural interpretation centre devised as an educational stroll through the flora of the Penedès region. The website lists the species in the garden and provides information on the activities carried out there such as workshops and exhibitions.
El Jardí Botànic Ecoherbes Parc és un gran espai natural al costat del Mar Mediterrani i del Delta de l’Ebre; un lloc privilegiat a la reserva de la biosfera de “Terres de l’Ebre”, on els visitants poden descobrir més de 400 espècies de plantes aromàtiques, medicinals i culinàries provinents de diverses parts del món. Ecoherbes Parc també disposa d’un viver de reproducció vegetal i d’un banc de llavors. Es pot visitar de manera lliure o amb visita guiada. El jardí, envoltat dels camps de cultiu d’ Ecoherbes, conforma un parc agroecològic de 100.000m² amb Producció Agrícola Ecològica.
This website, managed by the Fundació Carl Faust, contains a lot of information and a virtual tour to the gardens. It explains the flora of the three different climatic zones that make up the garden. The website contains also data from its research centre of molecular biology, from its activity in wildlife biodiversity conservation and from a lot of links related to botany. The botanical garden was created in 1921 for the German businessman Carl Faust, and since 1951 the private founfation it's the owner of the garden. It is situated in the firsts cliffs of Costa Brava and, in an extension of 4ha, it has approximately 3000 species, most of them exotic. In 1995 it has been catalogued as a BCIN in the Historic Garden category and is considered as one of the most important gardens in Europe in the landscape perspective.
This website was set up at the initiative of the Science department of the Escola de Treball secondary school in the city of Lleida. It was established to provide a large collection of species, mainly trees, but also shrubs and even herbaceous plants, in a representation of universal flora. The website offers the opportunity to plant a tree in a virtual garden as a means of promoting the conservation of our natural environment.
Map of the Botanical Gardens of Catalonia
SPAIN
The following list contains a series of links to the most important botanical gardens in Spain. As mentioned earlier, botanical gardens are institutions established for the purposes of research, conservation and the dissemination of plant diversity in that they exhibit scientific collections of living plants. This selection also includes other gardens that feature plant collections organized according to their habitats and landscapes, or other criteria, which share the educational and informative ends of botanical gardens. These are generally collections or gardens belonging to cultural institutions such as museums, foundations or interpretation or visitor centres, where even though the garden or botanical aspect may not be the main reason for the visit, are very interesting in themselves. Finally, it also includes some interesting botanical gardens of some university faculties which can be visited even though they may be restricted to internal educational activities.
Finally, it is worth remembering that we have only featured gardens with an active website, so this criterion inevitably excludes other botanical gardens or collections of great interest that cannot be viewed on a website.
Spain
Andalusia
Basic information on the Arboretum kept by the EMASESA (metropolitan water and sewerage company in Seville). There are more than 550 species of trees and a viewing point over the city of Seville and the Guadalquivir valley.
Detailed information describing the numerous activities carried out there, such as educational activities, research, the ethnobotanical and paleobotanical museums and the library, and also provides access to various publications. To get a better idea of the garden you can also take a virtual tour. The botanical garden of Cordoba is managed by the city council and the University of Cordoba.
Website of Waste magazine, a portal dedicated to environmental issues, containing basic information on the garden and a list of the main species growing there. It is part of the network of botanical gardens located in nature reserves; indeed, the purpose of this garden is to protect, conserve and research the flora of the Sierra Nevada.
Website containing basic information. The botanical garden of the University of Malaga and the Grice-Hutchinson Experimental Centre in the same garden are notable for their scientific and research content, and contain some very unique species.
Website on the municipality of San Fernando with basic information on the garden. The Botanical Garden of San Fernando specialises in Mediterranean flora, especially indigenous flora from the province of Cadiz.
Website of Waste magazine, a portal dedicated to environmental issues, containing basic information on the garden and a list of the main species growing there. The botanical garden of Albardinar is located in the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar.
Basic description of the garden, located in the Sierra Norte Natural Park of Seville, which is a member of the Andalusian Regional Government's network of local parks. Its objective is to preserve the plant species in danger of extinction in this region.
Detailed information, photos and details on the species found there. The botanical garden was created during the second third of the 19th century and was listed as a BIC under the category of historic and artistic garden in 1943. The garden contains some of the finest examples of flora from the hottest regions of the planet to be found in Spain.
Website of Waste magazine, a portal dedicated to environmental issues, containing basic information on the garden and a list of the main species growing there. The records and photos of the indigenous species and endangered flora on the Sierra are particularly interesting. The garden lies alongside the university hostel on the Sierra Nevada at an altitude of 2,500 metres, so it is notable for species that are exclusive to the high mountain ecosystems.
Tourism-related information on the province of Malaga with a section of basic information on the garden, which houses a reconstruction of an original mill that is still in operation. The zone also has a unique micro-system which allows numerous species of flora and even fauna to thrive.
Tourist website on Cazorla and the mountain ranges of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, containing basic information on the different plant communities and species in the Natural Park of Cazorla and guidance for tours and visits.
Website of the environmental department of the Granada City Council, containing information on the botanical gardens of the law faculty of the University of Granada. It includes basic information on the gardens, complemented by a detailed description of each plant species and an interactive map showing their location.
Website of the Almuñecar town council containing basic information on the botanical and archaeological park, which is famous throughout Europe and the rest of the world for its numerous palms growing in the open air.
Website shared with the zoo of the Jerez de la Frontera city council, containing detailed information. The two very different areas of zoo and botanical garden have been expertly combined. The garden is considered to be of cultural interest.
Asturias
Website of the Gijón City Council containing detailed information and a section on general information with various links on gardening and landscaping. The garden straddles a stream and is characterized by extensive tracts of flora and vegetation typical of Atlantic regions.
Balearic Islands
Website on the Lluc Sanctuary, which manages the garden, with basic information on the botanical garden. The garden was created on the Serra de Tramuntana in 1956 with the aim of collecting the range of indigenous flora around the monastery and displaying them in an environment similar to their original habitat.
Basic information on the botanical garden and the various activities organized there. The section on the Botanical Institute is particularly interesting, with information on the herb garden, the seed bank, the laboratory and the Seminum index. It also has a selection of links to other botanical gardens.
Extensive information and numerous illustrations of the garden's flora. The garden lies on the Serra de Tramuntana and is divided into two very distinct parts: the first is a nursery for acclimatizing plants from all over the world; the second is where the indigenous vegetation is grown virtually in its natural state. There are also species that are unique to the island here.
Canary Islands
Detailed information on the garden which specializes in palm trees and is laid out in biogeographical sections. It is located on an artificial mountain built over a former municipal rubbish tip which was closed in 1983, and with its 12 hectares is the largest green zone in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Detailed information and links to other gardens around the world. The garden is the biggest in Spain (more than 27 hectares) and its main activities are geared towards scientific knowledge of the horticultural diversity unique to the Canary Islands archipelago in particular and the Macaronesian region in general.
Website of the Canarian Institute of Agricultural Research containing detailed information on the history of the garden, its collections and the scientific work undertaken there. The garden was declared a Historic Garden in 1980.
Basic information on the garden as part of the tourist attractions of Lanzarote, as well as other unique spots. This botanical garden was designed by Canarian artist César Manrique, an example of the use of the landscape of Lanzarote as a source of artistic inspiration, and is notable for its collections of cactus.
Extremadura
Website containing detailed information. The Coria Botanical Garden was created from a former nursery owned by the local administration which grew trees for replanting and reforesting roadsides and embankments. The website includes a brief description of the Mediterranean ecosystems typical of this geographical region and descriptive records on the different plant species found here.
Detailed information on this garden which lies within the Trujillo castle walls, including a list of the typical vegetation in this part of Extremadura.
Galicia
Detailed information and a photo gallery for each species. This is the botanical garden of the A Pinguela secondary school in Monforte de Lemos. It has more than 200 trees and shrubs that are native to Galicia as well as the most common ornamental plants found in most gardens in the region.
La Rioja
Website containing general and practical information (location, opening hours and layout) and a description of the collections and the scientific work undertaken there.
Madrid
Website of the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes (technical college of forest engineers), containing basic information on the history of the arboretum and the gardens of the faculty.
Website of Àngel Díaz Montes, the parks and gardens designer. You can take a virtual tour, access an interesting glossary, a descriptive list of the species in the gardens, and sign up for the informative newsletter la Hoja Verde. It also includes a section of links to other websites on the same topic. The garden is noteworthy for its collections of roses, asters and mint plants.
Website of the CSIC (National Centre of Scientific Research), containing very detailed information of an educational and scientific nature. The garden is notable for its collections of species from desert regions and temperate climates, and has a hothouse containing tropical and aquatic plants. Since 1942 the gardens have been protected under both BIC categories, as a Historic Garden for the botanical part, and as a Historic Monument for the building.
Detailed information on this botanical garden which was created as a joint project between the University of Alcala and the Community of Madrid, with the aim of protecting, studying and disseminating information on flora and the environment.
The Basque Country
Very detailed information on the plant species in the gardens. The Natural Park includes forests, little rural hamlets, the Arriorregi smithy, which bears witness to its preindustrial past, and the botanical gardens, laid out around the old Iturraran caserio.
Very detailed and educational information and a list of the plants in the garden, as well as on the permanent and temporary exhibitions held there. The garden is situated on the Sierra of Badaya, around the ruins of the Monastery of Santa Catalina, and stands out for the harmonious integration of natural and cultural heritage.
Valencian Community
Very detailed and wide-ranging information of historical, botanical and cultural interest. The garden was founded in 1567 and was originally used for the study of medicine. It is also noteworthy for the large collection of medicinal plants, and is listed as a Historic Garden.
EUROPE
The following links are a selection of the most important botanical gardens in Europe. There are numerous botanical gardens in Europe and all of them share an interest in botany and in studying and disseminating information on the plant diversity of our planet, yet each of them has their own unique characteristics and priorities when it comes to using their resources. For this reason, some websites make a stronger focus on scientific and research activities, at the expense of more explanatory aspects, while others highlight the exotic and tourist-oriented side, although they are still to be considered as institutions aimed at researching, preserving and promoting botany. The list of botanical gardens also includes some European universities which keep collections of local or regional endemisms plants of great interest, which can be consulted on their websites, though these activities may be limited to the educational aspect and there may be restrictions on visiting times.
It is worth remembering that we have only featured gardens with an active website, so this criterion inevitably excludes other botanical gardens or collections of interest that cannot be viewed on a website.
Europe
Detailed information on the garden which was established in 1876 by the Chancellor and some of the professors at the University of Zagreb. Notable features include the glasshouses, the administrative building constructed in Art Nouveau style, the building of the Botanical Institute, a public laboratory and an exhibition hall. The garden contains an extensive range of sub-Mediterranean, Mediterranean and Alpine flora.
Detailed information, including a virtual tour, on the museum attached to the garden and the Grotte de l'Observatoire, a natural cavern open to the public. The Monaco garden is run by the City Council and was opened to the public in 1933; it is well known for its section on cacti and other succulent plants.
Detailed information on the Helsinki botanical garden which forms part of the Natural History Museum of Finland. Specifically, the information refers to botanical gardens in general, to the various collections and exhibitions held there, and also has an interesting section on publications.
Very detailed information particularly the section on current exhibitions and collections. The botanical garden is attached to the University of Oslo and forms part of the Natural History Museum.
Basic information on the botanical garden, in English landscape style, which was founded in the 19th century and contains more than 12,000 species.
Detailed information on this garden which was the result of a project to restore the hills surrounding the city of Athens, Philodassiki Enosi Athinon. The botanical garden contains the country's native flora.
Austria
Basic information geared towards research on this botanical garden, managed by the Botanical Institute of the University of Salzburg.
Detailed information, a map and a list of the plants in the garden. There are also links to other sites of interest and contacts with the Friends of the Garden Association and the Austrian Botanical Gardens working group. The botanical garden of the University of Vienna was created in 1754.
Belgium
Basic information on the Arboretum which is situated in the province of Anvers. It was established in 1858 and with more than 6,000 plant species is one of the most important collections in the world. It boasts one of the most interesting avenues of exotic conifers in Europe.
Website containing basic information. The botanical gardens of the University of Ghent were founded in 1797, though it was not until 1817 that they were finally established in this location. The gardens are well known for their Victorian-style glasshouses containing species from all over the world.
Website containing very detailed information. You can also read their e-newsletter Musa, consult the different publications and the library section, and access a catalogue and database of the different publications that can be referred to on-line.
Denmark
Very detailed information on the botanical garden of the University of Copenhagen which has a huge variety of living species for research and education, as well as a genetic bank of wild species. The garden dates back to 1872, since when it has been enlarged progressively to reach a total of 10 hectares.
France
Website containing detailed information. The gardens are part of the National Natural History Museum which encompasses three main areas: trees and shrubs, tropical plants, and horticultural species.
Detailed information and links to institutions and other collections of conifers. The Villardebelle Arboretum is located in southern France and is home to more than 200 species of conifers.
Detailed information on this botanical garden which was established in 1899 at the initiative of the Touring Club, the University of Grenoble and M. Bonnabel. It features very comprehensive collections of medicinal plants and Alpine flora from mountain systems all over the world, as you will learn from its website.
Website of the Bordeaux region with a section on the botanical garden which has become a benchmark of scientific culture on plants and nature. The area is laid out in small gardens with different themes, of which the aquatic garden and the Arboretum are worth highlighting.
The botanical garden, created in 1857 by Gustave Thuret, it is managed by National Institute of Agricultural Research - Centre de Recherches d'Antibes.
The Nice city website containing basic information on the botanical garden, which puts an emphasis on Mediterranean flora.
Very detailed information, including an extensive description of the collections and a wide range of educational activities. It also has an excellent list of links.
Basic information on the garden which houses more than 300 species of shrubs, 130 varieties of bamboo, 20 different species of palms and various other exotic species of interest.
The website contains extensive information on the history, the collections and the activities organized at the garden, which is the botanical garden of the University of Montpellier. The gardens were founded by King Henry IV in 1593 and are the oldest in France. They currently cover an area of 4.5 hectares, having been enlarged twice during the 19th century.
Basic information on the garden, in Provence, which is managed by the Jardin Conservatoire de la Flore en Provence Littorale association.
Germany
Detailed information on the botanical garden of Bonn University. It contains various documents on the arboretum and a section of giant lilies (Titan Arum), as well as webcams, temporary exhibitions and information on the protection of nature and the activities carried out there in this respect.
Section on the Augsburg botanical garden, hosted on the website of the same town.
Website of the botanical garden of the University of Osnabrück. It is possible to consult the different parts of the garden through an interactive map. Also interesting is a section of links to various botanical gardens in Germany.
Very detailed information on the Munich Botanical Garden which was established in 1812. The gardens are currently managed by the Botanical Institute of the University of Munich, which runs the state scientific botany collection and the garden's museum.
Very detailed information on the garden and the botanical museum of Berlin and the Institution's organizations and projects. It includes a virtual tour of the botanical garden and information on research, the museum and the library. There is a section with links to various other botanical gardens around the world.
Detailed explanations of the different plant species, also presents the research centre and a section of links relating to botany. The botanical garden of the University of Düsseldorf contains more than 400 species.
A very extensive information on the garden, the activities organized by the University, and special activities for visitors. There are also a large number of links to other research centres related to botany. The garden is extremely old, having been founded in 1593 (200 years before the University itself).
Website of the city of Wuppertal containing basic information on the botanical garden and a wealth of photos.
Very detailed information on the garden, which is a huge rose garden of over 12 hectares with 8,300 different species. This makes it the biggest collection of roses in the world.
Detailed information on the organic botanical garden of Bayreuth which was founded as a research institution reporting to the University of Bayreuth in 1978, yet is also open to the general public. It houses an important collection of African plants in huge hothouses as well as plants from North America and the Euro-Asian region, planted outside.
Detailed information on the Frankfurt botanical gardens where you can find an extensive description of the gardens and the different activities organized there (summer concerts, guided tours, festivals and exhibitions).
Italy
Website of the Grupo di Lavoro per gli Orti Botanici e i Giardini Storici of the Italian Botanical Society containing basic information on the garden, which lies on the eastern side of the National Park of La Majella.
Website of the University of Bologna with a section dedicated to the characteristics of this garden, which was founded in 1568 and is one of the oldest in Italy. Its main activity is research and education, with programmes for students at every level.
Website of the Botanical Department of the University of Catania. The garden was founded in 1858 and is laid out geometrically over 16 hectares. One of its main and most valuable characteristics is the maintenance and conservation of a collection of endemisms unique to Sicily.
Website of the Grupo di Lavoro per gli Orti Botanici e i Giardini Storici of the Italian Botanical Society containing basic information on the garden, which is owned by the Department of Botanical Sciences of the University of Pisa.
Detailed information on the botanical gardens of Padua, of great historic interest (history, architectural features, trees, collections and environments). UNESCO has declared the gardens a World Heritage Site.
Netherlands
Botanic garden belonging to the Delft University of Technology which was founded in 1917 by Gerrit van Iterson, Jr. as a garden for cultivating plants of economic interest, and especially for agricultural exploitation in the Netherland's colonies in the East Indies (present-day Indonesia). It currently manages part of the Netherlands' collection of national plants.
Detailed information and a long list of species of flora and fauna (birds, butterflies and fish), on this garden and nursery for aquatic plants, which was created by Ada Hofman in 1987.
Detailed information on the botanical garden which was created in 1638. The garden is home to some very ancient trees and a landscape architecture that leans towards Romanticism. It has more than 6,000 plants representing over 4,000 species.
Information on the different sections of the garden, a highlight of which is the aquatic garden. There is also on-line access to the National Herbarium of the Netherlands which contains more than 5.5 million species. The botanical garden is attached to Leiden University and is famous for its giant water lilies from the Amazon.
Very detailed information on the garden which, with 20 hectares, is the largest in the Netherlands and features plants from all over the world. You can visit various very different areas which range from the Laarman garden (the oldest garden, with a very interesting Arboretum), the English garden, an aquatic garden, agricultural gardens, the greenhouses, the bamboo garden, the Celtic gardens of Ogham, and a Chinese garden.
Poland
Website of the town of Wroclaw containing basic information on the botanical garden of the University of Wroclaw. Specifically, it contains a brief description of the different sections, highlights being the arboretum and the section on aquatic plants.
Portugal
Information on the general characteristics of the garden and the research activities carried out here. The Lisbon Botanical Garden is run by the National History Museum of the University of Lisbon and dates back to the middle of the 19th century.
Detailed information on the history and general characteristics of the garden, its botanical collection and the research projects it undertakes. The website also gives access to the Friends of the Garden Association and their activities. The Ajuda garden was founded in the 18th century and was thus the first Portuguese botanical garden.
A well-structured and very visually attractive website, given Madeira's importance as a tourist destination. It contains all the essential sections: location, history and plant collection.
Detailed information highlights being the section on curiosities and the list of links. The botanical garden was created in the 18th century at the instigation of the Marquis of Pombal with the aim of complementing the natural history studies.
Detailed information, with the unique feature of a link to its own previous site which gives you an idea of how the processing of botanical information has evolved. The garden is located inside the campus of the University of Tras os Montes e Alto Douro, occupying some 80 hectares, and is laid out by themed collections. It is one of the most important botanical collections in the country and a centre of reference on the natural resources in northern Portugal.
Detailed information on the botanical garden which was opened in 1986, and is mainly dedicated to evaluating and protecting areas and species of botanical interest on the islands of the Azores archipelago. Indeed, more than half its surface area is dedicated to recreating the habitats of native flora, according to their altitude.
The current garden was preceded by a 19th century garden which was turned into the botanical garden in the middle of the 19th century. It currently forms part of the University of Porto and is managed by the Faculty of Sciences and the Botanical Institute.
Detailed information on the garden's collections and many links to other sites on flora and botany. The garden was created at the beginning of the 20th century in the context of the organization of agricultural services in the Portuguese colonies, and was initially known as the Colonial Garden. Among its main functions was to maintain collections of living plants from tropical and subtropical areas, both in the open air and in controlled environments, which constituted its main study and research material.
Sweden
Detailed information on the botanical garden in Göteborg, which is dedicated to horticulture although it also has other very interesting sections such as the Japanese garden, the Arboretum and a section on palm trees. The website includes information on and links to other botanical gardens in Sweden and other countries.
Website containing detailed information. The garden was the result of the reconstruction of the old botanical garden of the University of Uppsala and is thought to be the oldest botanical garden in the country.
Switzerland
Detailed information and a section of links to the botanical gardens of Switzerland. The botanical garden of Basle was created in 1905 and is attached to the city's university.
Detailed information, particularly its section of links to other sites, and a selection of databases on this subject. The botanical garden was created in the 18th century.
Detailed information for visitors to the botanical garden. The garden stands on Brissago island, very close to Italy, and features more than 1,500 species from the Mediterranean, subtropical Asia, South Africa, America and Australia.
United Kingdom
Very detailed information, a highlight being the virtual tour. This botanical garden was created for the new millennium and lies in the county of Carmarthenshire.
Website containing very detailed information on the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh which offers numerous resources, including sections on horticulture, education and publications. It also includes links to other botanical gardens in Scotland, databases and libraries specialising in this subject.
Detailed information on the botanical gardens at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst Place. There is an emphasis on research, the collections and educational activities. It also includes a database with various resources and publications. The gardens have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Detailed information on the gardens which were created in 1816 by the Governor of Gibraltar, General George Don, to give the city's residents a recreational area.
Detailed information with a section on links to other gardens and botanical gardens in the country. This botanical garden, designed by J. C. Loudon, was opened to the public in 1832 and features one of the finest collections of tropical plants in glass houses.
Detailed information and an interesting photo gallery of the garden, which can be found in Cornwall and is regarded as one of the most emblematic gardens in England and one of the most interesting in the world, with a unique collection of exotic plant species.
Zchek Republic
Detailed information on the garden which is attached to the University of Prague. It has an interesting Japanese garden and another highlight is the section on subtropical species known as Fata Morgana.
INTERNATIONAL
The following links are a selection of the most important botanical gardens around the world. There are numerous botanical gardens all over the world and all of them share an interest in botany and in studying and disseminating information on the plant diversity of our planet, yet each of them has their own unique characteristics and priorities when it comes to using their resources. For this reason, some websites make a stronger focus on scientific and research activities, at the expense of more explanatory aspects, while others highlight the exotic and tourist-oriented side, although they are still to be considered as institutions aimed at researching, preserving and promoting botany.
It is worth remembering that we have only featured gardens with an active website, so this criterion inevitably excludes other botanical gardens or collections of interest that cannot be viewed on a website.
International
Website featuring a virtual tour, a section on publications, a section on activities and an on-line library; it also contains, as a curiosity, a record of the illustrious people, including Albert Einstein and Queen Elizabeth II of England, who have visited the garden. The garden was created in 1808 by the XVII King of Portugal, D. João VI.
Detailed information on the botanical garden which was created by Carlos H. Lankester, since 1973 has been attached to the University of Costa Rica. It has an outstanding collection of epiphytes, especially orchids, although it also has collections of hothouse plants growing out in the open, as you can see on the website.
Website containing multi-themed information: an interactive map with photos, information on the different exhibitions and activities of a scientific, cultural and recreational nature, both national and international. The garden was created in 1976.
Detailed information on the garden and the different activities held there to raise social awareness and preserve the local flora. The botanical garden is situated in Viña del Mar and was created following the transformation of the Salitre Park.
Website divided into multiple sections with numerous resources, including sections on the herbarium and on publications. It also features the educational and research activities carried out at the centre. The botanical garden was founded in 1859 by the Agri-Horticultural Society as a garden of ornamental plants. It is currently regarded as one of the most important botanical gardens in Asia and contains a very valuable collection of monumental trees.
Basic information on the botanical garden which is attached to the Department of Plant Sciences of the University of Tel Aviv.
Argentina
Website of the municipality of Buenos Aires containing detailed information on the botanical garden, which was designed by Carlos Thays at the end of the 19th century, and is situated in the Palermo district.
Australia
Website containing very detailed information. The Adelaide botanical garden is a historic garden where you can find the native flora, whose climate is defined as dry Mediterranean. It also has collections of palms, cycads and bromeliads and some spectacular trees. The centre houses a Bicentennial Conservatory and a Museum of Economic Botany.
Website containing detailed information. The gardens were created in 1816 and are surrounded by a park. They are currently used as a recreational and educational area for learning about botany and nature. They are very close to the city of Sydney. The gardens also have a centre for botanical research and conservation.
Very detailed information on the garden, which was created in Victoria more than 150 years ago and is regarded as one of the most interesting botanical gardens in the world. It contains more than 10,000 species and 50,000 plants, laid out over an area of 38 hectares. It is worth mentioning that some of these plants are irreplaceable as they are now extinct in their natural habitats.
Canada
Website containing a large number of resources which range from an accurate description of the more than 10 collections to a description of the scientific, educational and recreational activities carried out at the garden. The botanical garden has more than 22,000 species and is not only the most prestigious garden in the city but also one of the most spectacular botanical gardens in the world.
Detailed information on the botanical garden which has 13 different sections, notably the Arboretum, a garden of rhododendrons and a rose garden.
Very detailed information on the garden, which was created in 1916 and is one of the oldest in Canada. The aim of this centre is to research the native flora of British Columbia, although it also contains plants from all over the world, especially Asia.
Detailed information on this institution which aims to give the general public a closer insight into botany. For this reason it organizes numerous educational activities and information on the natural values of flora. It also organizes cultural and recreational activities which can be consulted on its website.
China
Website containing detailed information and numerous photos. The botanical garden of Beijing is dedicated to conserving the native flora of northern China.
List and description of the different historic and botanical gardens in China. The Sun Yat-Sen garden can be found to the south of the Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum (Nanjing) and holds 3,000 species of plants; it plays an important role in education and in disseminating scientific knowledge in the field of botany. It is one of the largest botanical gardens in China.
Colombia
Basic information on the garden which is the leading botanical garden in the country. It carries out numerous scientific and recreational activities and from the website you can access a virtual tour, the library and basic information on the different collections in the garden.
Israel
Website with numerous resources, highlights of which include the information on the flora and vegetation of Israel and adjacent areas, the databases on flora and botanical gardens, and a section on links to other sites. The botanical garden was founded in 1931.
Japan
Basic information, mainly in Japanese, on the Niigata botanical garden.
Basic information on the botanical garden created in 1902 by the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Tokyo to study Alpine and mountain plants.
Basic information on this botanical garden which lies around Sakura Castle.
Mexico
Website containing very detailed information. The botanical garden was founded in 1959 and designed by botanist Dr. Faustino Miranda with the aim of encouraging botanical research, disseminating scientific knowledge and undertaking specific actions to preserve plant resources.
Very detailed information on the garden, its different areas (Arboretum, Pinetum and Palmetum) and the artistic and educational activities organized there. The garden is well-known and highly-rated for its Santuario del Bosque de la Niebla (Misty Wood Sanctuary), a mesophile mountain forest in an excellent state of conservation.
Website of the Autonomous University of Guadalajara containing basic information on the botanical garden, which was founded in 1968 by Dr. Jorge Víctor Eller Townsend and is attached to the University.
Morocco
Website of this garden which lies in the Ourika valley some 35 kilometres from Marrakech. The garden covers one hectare and consists of abundant medicinal and ornamental herbs and aromatic plants. You can also sample various dishes and infusions made using some of the herbs in the garden.
Website of the city of Marrakech with basic information on the garden, which was opened in 2002. The Timalizene garden offers a route of discovery of the flora and fauna of North African countries, especially the species indigenous to the Atlas mountains. A highlight is the design, laid out by themed areas to stimulate the senses (aromatic gardens, dry terracing, open and enclosed gardens, and Islamic and Western sections).
Puerto Rico
Detailed information with a section of links to the botanical gardens of Puerto Rico and the United States. The botanical garden was opened to the public in 1959, though in 1991 it had to be restored after the damage caused by Hurricane Hugo.
Southafrica
Detailed information and numerous resources, notably a section of links to other botanical gardens in the country and a calendar of activities. The botanical garden in Durban was founded in 1849 and is characterised by its collections of subtropical trees, palms and orchids.
Detailed information on the botanical garden which is presented as an educational centre on the environment. The garden occupies 70 hectares and contains species from all over the country as well as plants imported from other parts of the world. You can visit various different habitats, some of which have preserved the natural landscape and native fauna.
Detailed information on the botanical garden, which has an important collection of medicinal plants from all over the world and some lovely gardens open to the public. Its website recommends courses, videos, books and other resources for therapeutic purposes.
Detailed information on the botanical garden, which was founded in the 19th century and plays an important role in conserving the wild flora and fauna of South Africa.
Sri Lanka
Established in 1861 for the purpose of experimentation and promoting Cinchona cultivation in Sri Lanka, the gardens extend from a hilly area to about 1,745 metres above sea level among the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya. The website contains detailed information and offers the possibility of taking a virtual tour.
Urban botanic garden whose main activities include its role in ex-situ conservation, botanical research and education and the development of domestic floriculture.
Official website of the National Herbarium, the institution responsible for the authentication of plants of Sri Lanka, which surveys and inventories plant genetic resources, especially for food and agriculture. The website contains information on the institution's mission, on the collections and on the flora of Sri Lanka in general.
Official website of the botanic garden which contains information on the history of gardens and plant collections, and offers the possibility of taking a virtual tour. The garden was founded in 1371, and one of the botanic garden's current responsibilities is the management and maintenance of ancient sacred trees.
United States
Detailed information on the garden created by John Bartram more than 250 years ago. The gardens are visited by thousands of people who enjoy the guided tours, educational programme and special cultural and recreational events organized there.
Detailed information on the botanical garden which was built in 1880 based on plans by Frederick Law Olmsted. It currently operates independently as a traditional botanical garden with departments for research, educational services and visitor services.
Detailed information on the Brooklyn botanical garden which is characterized by the numerous activities held there, ranging from scientific research to educational activities and private events.
Website of the city and county of Honolulu containing information on the different botanical gardens on the islands of Hawaii.
Website of the Huntington Cultural Institute with a link to detailed information on the gardens, created by Henry Huntington in 1903. The gardens currently have more than 15,000 plants from all over the world distributed in different habitats, most notably a Chinese garden, a garden of desert flowers, a rose and camellia garden, a palm garden, a Japanese garden, an Australian garden, a subtropical garden and a jungle.
Detailed information and a database of all the plants and flora in this garden, which is divided into different areas: a flower garden, a fruit garden, a vegetable garden and a garden of indigenous flora.
Very detailed information, highlights being the section on the tour of the garden, which has numerous photos of the different zones, and the section on the family and children's activities organised there.
Comprehensive information on the United States National Arboretum. It offers numerous resources, including various publications and a news section.