The Botanical Garden of Rostov-on-Don is a unique museum of rare plants under the open sky. On the territory of 160 hectares, a collection of rare and endangered plants of the Rostov region and Russia has been collected. Exotic plants of the tropics also grow in the greenhouses of the garden. On every centimeter of open ground, medicinal and aromatic species, flower and woody cultures from all regions of Russia grow.
History of creation
The idea of โโcreating the first botanical garden in a treeless zone of southern Russia for the acclimatization of plants from around the world in the steppe climate arose in 1915. In April 1927, the city authorities allocated 74 hectares of land occupied by arable land, hunting grounds and a small flower garden along the Temernik River to organize the garden of North Caucasus University.
The unique layout of the garden involved the breakdown of alleys and paths in accordance with the map of the region in order to repeat the relief of the region, its main roads and railways. However, this project did not materialize, since in the early years, seedlings from nurseries of Ukraine, the North Caucasus and other regions almost all died.
Thousands of Rostovites took part in the manual work on laying the garden. And by 1940, more than 1000 plants grew on the territory of 270 hectares, collections of crops were formed in the arboretum and greenhouse, seedlings were grown in a new nursery. During the war years, the garden was almost completely destroyed, many rare plants were lost. In the post-war period, the destroyed office buildings and greenhouses were reconstructed, the collection fund was completely restored.
Plants in the garden
Located within the vast metropolis, the Botanical Garden of Rostov-on-Don impresses visitors with a unique collection of various plant species:
- In the garden there are about 100 species of rare and endangered plants, 41 of which are listed in the Red Book of Russia.
- The greenhouses contain collections of palm and aroid species of thermophilic tropical and subtropical plants from North and Central America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
- The variety of succulents and aquatic plants of the tropics is striking.
- Throughout the park, there are more than 6,500 species of flowering, shrubs and woody plants in Russia.
The herbarium of the Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University (it is one of the largest in Europe) has collected more than 22,000 plant specimens. Some of them have been preserved since 1881. Every year, the Botanical Garden updates and replenishes the collection of seeds of hybrid and unique specimens. In 2007, the Botanical Garden of SFU was included in the Catalog of the best gardens in the world.
Botanical Garden today
The daily work schedule of the Rostov-on-Don Botanical Garden allows Rostov residents and city guests to admire the exotic plants of the tropics, relax in the shade of a 140-year-old oak tree, enjoy the aromas of steppe flowers and medicinal herbs. Garden workers conduct fascinating excursions around the territory, telling interesting stories from the life of the garden and informative facts about the collected plants. More information about the flora can be found at the lectures of the Botany Expert Advisory Center, which also conducts active educational work with schoolchildren, lectures, excursions for children and organizes summer camps on the territory during school holidays.
Today, the Botanical Garden is undergoing a stage of infrastructure modernization, educational, scientific and enlightening processes in the framework of a systematic development program.
What attracts the Botanical Garden of Rostovites
This year, on the 90th birthday of the garden, Rostov residents gave their favorite place of rest a community work day. On May 27, more than a thousand residents took part in the cleaning and landscaping of the Botanical Garden. On the same day, the pool of the mineral spring of St. Seraphim of Sarov resumed work. Among the Orthodox, this place is a shrine.
Rostovites and guests of the city Botanical Garden gives you the opportunity to enjoy the silence and feel peace. Dirt paths on site are suitable for jogging or cycling. Having taken a plaid and a picnic basket with you, you can arrange a romantic date or do yoga in a secluded corner. Expanse for running around and noisy children's games attracts young mothers. And exclusive photos in the Botanical Garden of Rostov-on-Don on the background of wild plants or under a palm tree in the greenhouse will retain vivid memories for a long time.
How can I get to
The address of the Botanical Garden in Rostov-on-Don is known to every resident of the city. You can get to the Botanical Descent lane, where one of the entrances to the territory is, from different parts of the city by bus number 64, minibuses number 23, 25 and 37.
Entrance to the territory of the Botanical Garden is free, but you can visit the greenhouse only as part of a paid excursion (150 rubles for an hour and a half excursion). On the territory you can buy a seedling or seeds of an attracted plant and get competent advice on caring for it.