Utrecht University Botanic Gardens, Utrecht

The Utrecht University Botanic Gardens, an institution with a rich history dating back to the 17th century, have evolved into a significant center for botanical research and public enjoyment. Since 1987, the gardens have consisted of two primary locations: the main Botanical Garden at Fort Hoofddijk in De Uithof, Utrecht, and the Von Gimborn Arboretum in Doorn. Both sites are open to visitors and serve as vital spaces for education and conservation.

The origins of the university’s living plant collections trace back to 1639, when the first botanical garden for medicinal purposes was founded in Utrecht, just three years after Utrecht University itself was established. In the early 18th century, the garden was relocated within the old city, eventually becoming the museum garden of the University Museum, now known as Oude Hortus. Notably, around 1730, one of the first Ginkgo biloba trees in Europe was planted here.

Over time, Utrecht University expanded its botanical gardens. In 1920, Cantonspark in Baarn was added, featuring a rock garden and thematic beds. The major transformation came in the 1960s when the university acquired Fort Hoofddijk, shifting plant collections there. Between 1964 and 1974, over 2,100 tons of Ardennes rock created one of Europe’s largest rock gardens. Systematic beds followed in the 1970s, and a modern greenhouse complex in the 1980s.

Another key acquisition came in 1966 with the purchase of the Von Gimborn Arboretum in Doorn, further enhancing the university’s botanical reach. Today, the arboretum houses a diverse collection of trees and shrubs, complementing the plant diversity at Fort Hoofddijk. More recently, in 2019, the gardens introduced a new butterfly house within one of the greenhouses, adding an interactive and immersive experience for visitors.