Alley in Bonn, Germany with cherry trees ()
Summer is here and the plants are blooming. Escape to the outdoors and see all the beauty the flowers and trees have to offer. Less than two-and-half hours from Kaiserslautern and less than two hours from Wiesbaden is the city of Bonn. It is known as the hometown of musical genius Ludwig van Beethoven and to several Haribo gummy stores. Bonn is also home to several gardens you can spend hours perusing.
Bonn University Botanic Gardens
Here you can not only see plants native to Germany, but from all over the world. The gardens host almost 10,000 different plant species from over 350 plant families. They have a large climate-controlled greenhouse so that plants such as giant cacti, intolerable to Bonn’s weather, can still thrive. While in the greenhouse, beware of warning signs on plants that state “do not touch” because they can cause skin irritations or other reactions. Make sure to look all around while inside because there are dazzling plants hanging from the ceiling.
Once you are back outdoors, you can view the exterior of the Poppelsdorf Palace while you meander around a beautiful lake filled with lily pads and families of ducks. Unfortunately, the palace was being renovated while I was there, but hopefully you can see more of it when you arrive. If you get hungry or thirsty, there is a restaurant/cafe on-site, Nees, that serves lunch and the occasional Sunday breakfast buffet. For frugal families and individuals, entrance to the gardens is free except on Sundays and holidays.
Japanese Garden and Blind Garden in Rheinaue Park
These tiny gardens won’t take too long to stroll through, but they are still worth taking a detour from walking along the Rhine to visit. At the Japanese Garden, relax and watch the koi fish swim in the lake (but don’t feed them; the caretakers feed them plenty). Gaze in wonder at a 13-tiered pagoda and two different waterfalls. Once done there, walk for two minutes to reach the Blind Garden (Blindengarten) to see a lovely statue and elegant roses.
Roses in Rheinaue Park | Photo by Tamala Malerk
The Arboretum Park Härle in Bonn-Oberkassel
Over the river (Rhine) and through the streets, to the Arboretum Park you go. The park is divided into three separate parts: the old part containing buildings, a forest near a small body of water and the new section containing roses, perennials and over 1,200 different trees and shrubs. Keep in mind that this park is not freely accessible every day, so check the website for the open days and times. This park is located in a residential district, so parking is difficult, and it is easiest to reach by foot or public transportation.
