Hortus Botanicus – Amsterdam’s answer to botanical bliss
Experience tranquil
surroundings in the heart of the busy city centre. Located in the Plantage
district Hortus Botanicus is a great outing for all ages and includes a
three-climate greenhouse and a butterfly greenhouse. For a more impressive and
picture perfect outing we recommend a summer visit when the garden is in full
bloom.
Amsterdam’s answer to botanical bliss
It was a perfect summer’s day and I really
fancied a wander into the city centre. There was sun, warmth and a cheerful
atmosphere everywhere you turned so we wanted to do something notable with our
time. Since we’d spent the previous weekend hard-core shopping around Dam
Square I thought it would be nicer to go for something more relaxing, slow
paced and in theme with the colourful summer’s atmosphere. Hortus Botanicus
came to mind. I’d seen it online before and it sounded nice enough in print. An
outing to a botanical garden is not usually at the top of the list of exciting
things to do in Amsterdam but it seemed like an ideal outing for a relaxing
afternoon. My tag along was my other half so I did have to include drinks at
the nearby Rembrandtplein to the itinerary to make the outing worth his while
but he was happy enough to admit that he enjoyed Hortus too.
Amsterdam’s botanical garden is a breath of
fresh air; a great way of escaping the city bustle for tranquil surroundings. Hortus
Botanicus isn’t the biggest or the most impressive botanical garden, especially
if you’ve been to the likes of Kew gardens in the UK, but none the less it’s a
little gem and the perfect answer for a relaxing couple of hours to refuel. And
it’s not just for keen gardeners or plant enthusiasts, neither of which we are,
but a light-hearted fun for all activity and you can enjoy refreshments and
organic food at the Orangery café after. It may even inspire you to get
creative in your own garden!
This Amsterdam garden is one of the oldest
botanical gardens in the world with over 4,000 plant species growing on its
premises. You will find it located on a main road called Plantage Middenlaan in
the Weesperbuurt and Plantage district which is only 10 – 15 minutes away from
the central station via public transport and very close to our short stay
apartments in the Plantage district and the Canal Belt around Utrechtsestraat
and Rembrandtplein. The entrance to this peaceful garden is a 300-year-old gate
that allows you to get from the busy city to a peaceful haven in just a few
steps.
Interestingly, Hortus Botanicus was originally
used as a medicinal herb garden, founded in 1638 by the council at a time when
herbs were vital in medicine, especially after the city’s plague epidemic. Now
there are over 6,000 plants in the garden and the 7 greenhouses. It was very
fun going from one greenhouse to another seeing the different plant species and
experiencing the different climates each one represents. Our favourite was the
Three-climate Greenhouse where tropical, subtropical and desert climates were
all somehow live under one roof. By ‘somehow’ we mean by modern computer
technology that automatically controls the temperature and humidity in each
section. The greenhouses also have stairs that you can climb to get a better
view of the displays.
Other parts of Hortus include the palm house,
an outdoor garden, a herb garden, a trees section and a crown jewels section
where you get to see nine species of plants and trees that play an important role
in the history of Hortus Botanicus for various reasons such as being rare, long
standing or due to their size. The butterfly greenhouse was a favourite of ours,
as it is for most visitors, and you can get some great pictures of hundreds of
butterflies that flutter around, and of the pupal stage before caterpillars emerge
as butterflies.
Summer is the ideal time to see this garden in
its fully bloomed glory with charming displays but it’s not a bad winter
activity either as most of it is based inside the greenhouses. The outdoor
garden in particular is a let-down in winter as the bad weather can make it look
washed out and unimpressive. Some visitors even take books with them to relax so
if you particularly enjoy a chill-out session absorbed in your favourite novel
then take a book along and pick a good spot.
One thing that is a bit disappointing for
non-Dutch speaking tourists is that the signage explaining the plants and their
origins is in Dutch. But an impressive bit of information is that there is a
plant doctor who is on hand on Wednesdays between 1pm and 2pm to answer any
plant related questions and if you have a sick plant you can take the plant or a
sample to the doctor to evaluate it. Or you’ve just been inspired by the garden
to create something beautiful in your own garden but your plants just never
survive their life span, ask why.
We finished our peaceful outing with a coffee
and pastries at the Orangery which is a museum café right in the middle of Hortus
Botanicus. All the dishes are made with organic ingredients. Perhaps more of
interest to business travellers the Orangery can be hired for receptions,
meetings or presentations. And couples can even tie the knot there too! We
didn’t buy anything at the shop but there is a selection of plants, plant seeds
and other garden related products and now they even sell fair trade food
products such as coffee and chocolate. There is also Hortus honey which is made
by their own bees in the garden; possibly a quirky gift idea for someone back
home.
So, to recap:
If you’ve been overdosing on museums, canals
and typical Amsterdam escapades then Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is your perfect
answer for a bit of recuperation.
To get the most out of this oasis go in the
summer.
Hortus Botanicus only needs a couple of hours
of your time.
Go ahead, be inspired, take away some ideas and
make them your own in your home garden.
Opening Times
: Daily from 10am to 5pm.
Entrance fees
: Adults 8, 50 Euros, children (age
5 to 14) 4, 50 Euros.
www.dehortus.nl
