AWCH Planten un Blomen: Hamburg’s Green Lungs

Planten un Blomen’s summer season begins officially on May 1, and a springtime stroll through the gardens, among water cascades and along the parapets is just the thing to stir any soul out of hibernation.

The 1.2 acre Rosengarten (Rose Garden) dazzles with over 300 rose varieties spanning seven classes. An open pavilion is located at the center of the rose garden, where specific information regarding rose varieties, care of the garden and the daily hours of operation is available. From May 1 to September 30, every second Sunday of the month at 11:00, guided tours (in German) are led through the Apothekergarten (Medicinal Garden) , courtesy of the Hamburg Pharmaceutical Guild (details at 4 48 048 24). Visits can be made to the balmy Tropengewächshäuser (Tropical Houses) from March 1 through September 30 on weekday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00 and afternoons from 12:45 to 16:45, and on weekend/holiday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00 and afternoons from 12:45 to 17:45. In addition to tropical species, they also have a wide variety of desert cacti and succulents.

Yoshikuni Araki’s Japanischer Garten (Japanese Garden) is the largest of its kind in Europe, featuring a lake and a rustic Japanese Teahouse at its center. The teahouse is open from May 1 through September 30, Tuesday through Saturday from 15:00 to 18:00. Visitors are invited to sample green tea and learn about the Japanese Garden. Stay tuned to the website for the schedule of Chanoyu, or Japanese Tea Ceremonies (usually on Sunday afternoons), as well as other events celebrating the art and culture of Southeast Asia: www.plantenunblomen.hamburg.de/japan.html (in German)

Planten un Blomen also offers numerous opportunities for activity and amusement. Mini-golf can be played from mid-March through September 30, 10:00 – 21:00, and costs just EUR 2 for kids and EUR 3 for adults. The rollerskating rink (converted in winter to an iceskating rink) is open daily in summer with almost-daily inline skating lessons (call 4 28 38 36 05 for more information). The pottery studio is open May 7 through August 27, Monday through Friday, 14:00 – 18:00. Children are requested to commit to at least two visits to the studio before participating in activities. Children’s theater is presented daily at 10:30 and 15:00 near the rollerskating rink or from the Children’s Stage. Clowns, magicians and circus performers are all on-hand. Additional performances are publicized at www.plantenunblomen.hamburg.de/kinder.html (in German)

The summer concerts in the Music Pavillion are also worth mention, as are the Water-Light Concerts, which take place every evening at 22:00 during the summer.

For a map of locations mentioned in this article, please see www.plantenunblomen.hamburg.de/anlage.html.