Botanischer Garten

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With things slowing opening up in Germany in the time of COVID-19, I am realizing that the best time to visit attractions here in Berlin is NOW. There have been so many places on my “must-see” list that I have put on hold while living here these past two years. Now that I have the opportunity, I’m seeing them.

With three full days left with both boys in school before the summer break, I decided to take the M1 Tram and the S1 S-Bahn to the Botanical Gardens, a 45-minute trip one way.

As I set out from home with a water bottle and a mobile handy charger after dropping the boys off at school, the weather was perfect, already sunny and 75 degrees F. With the sun rising at 4:42 AM, it was already nearing the day’s estimated high of 81 by 9:30.

We had never been to the Botanical Garden here in Berlin, but had always enjoyed the one in Atlanta when the boys were younger.

^{I was seeing flowers everywhere. Even in the restroom skylights.}

History

The Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin (as it is officially called) is a 43 hectare botanical garden with over 18,000 species of plants. The oldest botanical garden in Germany, it was founded by the king in the 17th century as a place to grow medicinal plants and vegetables,

Interestingly enough, what is now one of the largest and most species-rich botanical gardens in the world was once an extension of the Berlin City Palace kitchen garden. The first collection of plants was brought here in 1573, before the concept of botanical gardens even existed. The garden we know today developed from this original collection. About a century later, it was also used to grow hops.

In 1809, Berlin University began to use this space for more scientific endeavors, a feat which ultimately prompted its further development and gave it notoriety around Europe. Due to several factors, including urban expansion from the city center and increased pollution levels, it was decided that the garden would be relocated to the western edge of the city where it currently stands.

Following 13 years of construction, the Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden was completed in 1910, where it finally began to take a form recognizable to visitors in current times. It was built under the expert instruction of famous architects Adolf Engler and Alfred Koerner, and its primary purposes at this time was to house exotic vegetation brought back to Germany from its colonies, many of which were used for research purposes. In the decades to follow, major advances in plant sciences and pharmacology were made at the garden, thanks to its extensive botanical collection. Despite damages incurred during World War II, the garden has maintained its largess and importance to the study of plants.

The garden’s adjoining museum, herbarium, and botanical library are still part of the Free University of Berlin, and the botanical garden complex consists of several different glass buildings, each designated to different kinds of plants, including cacti, an exquisite array of orchids, and even some carnivorous varieties. The exterior also contains an arboretum that spans across 14 hectares, including a splendid rose garden.

Not only was I excited to spend time alone in the gorgeous garden (though it would have been nice to have Dave come along had he not been working), but I was also excited to take photos at the garden with my new phone.

Now that I have the luxury of occasional outings while living in a diverse and photogenic city (https://atomic-temporary-144439175.wpcomstaging.com/2019/04/21/captured-moments/), I have been pushing myself to hone this hobby into something to share with friends and family through this blog.

I have always loved taking snap shots since I was a child, even putting together scrap books here and there. This hobby morphed into a marketing job at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Nashville where I had access to a nice camera and unlimited, enthusiastic and very photogenic children.

^{Walking through the Forest}

So as I sat on the train, excited about my day ahead, I reflected with gratitude on my luck.

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I came across the vibrant rose garden and was delighted to see so many bees busy at their work.

I decided to escape the now increasing heat by walking through the shaded deciduous forest and focus on the greenery.

My eyes started noticing the beautiful tree trunks with all of their texture and was drawn to them, picking out the detail with the camera.

The path led me to the European section and up a rocky hill with Greek flora. I kept envisioning Mother Nature creating her own collection of mini-fireworks through many of the plants and flowers here. I imagined what she was celebrating.

I loved how the camera could pick up the detail of the delicate flowers. I felt as though I was finally able to see the true vibrancy of the flowers through the lense as my over-40 eyes continue to grow less sharp.

The main features of the garden, the greenhouses, were off limits because of construction. The main tropical greenhouse, with its length of 60 m and height of 23 m, is one of the largest in the world.

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Even though it was past the spring season when most of the flowers emerge from their winter rest, the garden still offered so many smaller, more delicate flowers to see. I found delight in their lightness contrasted with the bright green leaves and stems.

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I was wowed by the different shades of green as I walked through the more shadowy parts of the garden. Being early afternoon, the shade of the larger trees offered both coolness to me as well as a filter from the harsh sunlight.

With just over an hour before my four hour time slot was to end and I would need to take the train to Pankow to pick Isaac up from school (Ben’s ending time was earlier that day and he now excuses himself and takes the tram home alone), I found myself settled into a shady table at the Landhaus Sommergarten (country house summer garden) restaurant.

Here I started editing my photos while cooling off and enjoying my lunch. It truly was a perfect day.

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I would definitely come back to the garden, especially during a different season. However, I do not think the boys would enjoy it that much. Not enough action and too much walking.

I look forward to hosting guests again here in Berlin (perhaps next spring or summer). Especially someone who would appreciate the gardens as much as I do. Perhaps it could be you?