Botanical Garden of the University of Ulm

Updated April 16, 2024

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## Botanical Garden of the University of Ulm: A 28-Hectare Living Classroom on the Eselsberg

On the wooded slope above Ulm, the Botanical Garden of the University of Ulm (Botanischer Garten der Universität Ulm) spreads over roughly 28 hectares of themed beds, woodland, wetlands, and tropical greenhouses. It’s run by Ulm University as a scientific institution, but it’s just as welcoming to casual visitors who want a quiet walk, families with kids, or plant-obsessed travelers exploring Baden-Württemberg. of Ulm

Independent review platforms consistently rate the garden at about 4.6 out of 5 based on more than 1,000 Google reviews and additional TripAdvisor feedback, praising its peaceful atmosphere, variety of plant collections, and extensive walking paths.

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## Overview: One of Germany’s Larger University Gardens

– Location: Hans-Krebs-Weg, 89081 Ulm, on the Upper Eselsberg hillside, directly adjacent to the university campus.
– Size: Around 28 hectares, making it one of the larger botanical gardens attached to a German university and among the biggest green spaces in Ulm.
– Origins: The garden was approved in 1981 on what used to be a shooting range; earthworks from building the nearby university clinic were used to shape the terrain.

From the beginning, the garden has been closely tied to Ulm University’s Faculty of Natural Sciences and its botany department. It’s used for research and teaching, for conserving documented plant collections, and as an outreach space where the public can experience scientific botany in practice. of Ulm

The city of Ulm also highlights the garden as a key recreational area and “oasis of calm,” with courses, workshops, and guided tours throughout the year—ranging from identification and microscopy classes to seasonal walks. Ulm

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## Garden Layout & Key Areas

The site is big enough that you won’t see everything in a single quick stroll. Here are the main areas to know about before you go.

### Tropical Greenhouses: Lowland & Mountain Rainforest Under Glass

Near the upper entrance by the university you’ll find a cluster of greenhouses devoted mainly to tropical and subtropical plants.

Two of the most distinctive houses simulate different rainforest zones:

– Lowland rainforest house – Cultivates classic tropical “useful plants” and ornamentals such as banana, Ceylon cinnamon, jade vine and several strangler fig species. You’ll also see economically important crops like cacao, vanilla, rubber tree, neem, ylang-ylang, lignum vitae and the Panama hat palm.
– Montane (cloud) forest house – Focuses on cooler, high-elevation tropics with many epiphytes: orchids, bromeliads, fuchsias, passionflowers, Gesneriaceae and aroids. Coffee, avocado and yerba mate grow here too, alongside striking tree ferns.

These collections are used directly in university teaching, but they’re accessible to visitors during public greenhouse hours (details in the “Planning your visit” section).

### Apothekergarten & Medicinal Plant Collections

One of the signature features is the Apothekergarten, created in 2001 in cooperation with the pharmaceutical company Ratiopharm. of Ulm

– Around 200 medicinal plants are planted in terraced beds.
– They’re grouped by 30 medical application areas (for example respiratory issues, digestive problems, cardiovascular topics) plus several additional themes on herbal medicine. of Ulm

Interpretive signage (primarily in German) focuses on active ingredients and traditional uses, making this a particularly useful stop if you’re interested in herbal medicine, pharmacognosy, or the history of pharmacy.

### Arboretum, Meadows and “Green Classroom”

Further down the slope, the garden opens into an arboretum with a broad range of trees and shrubs arranged in different habitats and teaching plots.

Surrounding areas include:

– Meadows and wildflower lawns, some managed as species-rich semi-natural grassland.
– A “Green Classroom” area where schools can book hands-on environmental education programs about plants, animals, and ecosystems.

The Green Classroom is an important tool for environmental education in the region, giving children and teenagers a chance to examine living plants and habitats rather than learning only from textbooks.

### Wetlands, Ponds and Biodiversity Hotspots

The garden includes wetlands and a pond system that support high biodiversity, documented in detail in Uni Ulm’s reports.

– Shorelines host plants such as purple loosestrife, yellow iris, water plantain, water mint and other wetland species; some of these are considered regionally threatened.
– The ponds provide breeding sites for several amphibian species including grass frogs, toads and newts.
– Dragonflies are a highlight in summer; recorded species include common darters, four-spotted chasers, broad-bodied chasers and various damselflies.

In 2025, the garden ranked highly in a BioBlitz competition among German-speaking botanical gardens, with over 1,100 wild species recorded in a single week using the iNaturalist app—an indicator of how rich the garden’s semi-natural habitats have become. of Ulm

### Streuobstwiese and Traditional Farm Garden

A large streuobstwiese (traditional orchard meadow) combines heritage fruit trees with species-rich grassland.

– About 71 fruit trees are planted, representing at least 41 apple cultivars, plus pears, plums and a walnut.
– Many are old regional varieties, including Ulm-specific types like the “Ulmer Butterbirne” and “Ulmer Renette.”

Nearby, a farmer’s garden (created in the late 1990s) and a cottage garden illustrate traditional Swabian planting styles with vegetables, herbs and ornamentals mixed in tight beds.

### Rosarium, Daylily Garden & Seasonal Color

For more ornamental planting, look for:

– A rose garden (Rosarium), established around 1999–2000, with a curated selection of varieties.
– A dedicated daylily garden, which peaks in early to mid-summer.

Together with wildflower meadows, these areas provide a lot of seasonal interest from spring through autumn and are popular with photographers.

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## Herbarium: Behind-the-Scenes Scientific Collections

The University of Ulm herbarium is not a standard visitor attraction, but it’s a major scientific asset attached to the garden:

– Around 80,000 specimens (herbarium sheets and capsules).
– Strong regional focus on Europe, South America and Central America, including a tropical collection of ~50,000 specimens from Brazil and Costa Rica.
– Approx. 20,000 samples of mosses and lichens and ~10,000 flowering plant sheets, including historical material from the early 19th-century “Weinland” collection with many specimens from Papua New Guinea.

For most travelers this stays in the background, but it ties the garden into international research on plant diversity and systematics.

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## Planning Your Visit

### Opening Hours & Admission (Check for Updates)

Opening hours and fees have changed over time, and even official sources differ slightly. Current information from Ulm University and recent local articles (late 2025) broadly agree on the following pattern: of Ulm

– Outdoor grounds (Freigelände):
– Open daily from the morning (around 09:00).
– Closing time is earlier in winter (late afternoon) and extended into the evening in summer.
– Admission to the outdoor area is free.
– Greenhouses:
– Public visiting windows are limited, typically Tuesday and Thursday early afternoon plus a Sunday slot.
– As of recent reports, there is a small admission charge (around €3) for the greenhouses, with free entry for school and university students. of Ulm

> Important:
> Hours, holiday openings and ticket prices can change. Some information online still cites an older, lower fee. Always verify the latest details on the official Ulm University botanical garden website or the Ulm tourism site before you go, especially if you’re planning a greenhouse visit. of Ulm

### Getting There

The garden lies on the Upper Eselsberg, just southeast of the main university buildings.

– Tram / light rail: Travel resources recommend using tram line 2 to the stop “Botanischer Garten.” From there you can enter from the western side and walk downhill through the garden, which many visitors find the most comfortable route on this hilly site.
– Bus: Travelers mention several bus lines serving the university area; the garden can then be reached on foot via signed paths.
– On foot or by bike: From the university campus, it’s a short walk. The hillside location means some gradients; allow a bit more time if you prefer slower, scenic walking.
– By car: Driving directions typically point to Hans-Krebs-Weg; parking options may be shared with university facilities. Check current parking rules, as they can be subject to campus regulations.

### Accessibility & Inclusivity

Official visitor information and third-party descriptions highlight that: of Ulm

– The upper area near the greenhouses has paved surfaces and relatively level paths, which are more comfortable for visitors with mobility challenges.
– Some hillside sections and the Fern Valley (Farntal) are explicitly marked as not suitable for wheelchairs due to steep or uneven terrain.
– Travel guides suggest entering from the west entrance and then exploring downhill to reduce climbing effort.

If step-free access is important for you, it’s worth downloading the garden map from Ulm University and planning a route that focuses on the more accessible zones near the main entrance, medicinal garden and some of the meadows. of Ulm

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## Events, Tours and Educational Programs

The garden is more than a passive collection of plants. University and tourism sources mention an active program of: Ulm

Key Highlights

• Extensive 28-hectare outdoor collections across diverse habitats
• Specialist greenhouses reproducing tropical and subtropical climates
• Well-documented scientific plant collections with informative labeling
• Teaching and research focus—living specimens used for university courses
• Peaceful woodland paths and themed beds ideal for photography and study

Location

Places to Stay Near Botanical Garden of the University of Ulm

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