With Adam in the Botanical Gardens.

Adam surveys the plants in the Botanical Garden.

This lovely bronze sculpture stands a the top of the steps into the Botanical Garden.  Whenever I walk past I always say "Hello Adam," and stroke his head.  Quite where Eve is I don´t know, but as a friend wrote to me recently, "Possibly she is out buying an apple."  On hot days this garden is the place to be with its many shady corners and a cool ravine, where a little waterfall flows through the dank fern garden.  It is a favourite spot for local lovers, and often I cannot sit there for fear of disturbing them.

Greenhouses, the tallest housing the giant ferns, the nearest houses the carnivorous plants, and the other is home to "Victoria Amazonica"  hte giant waterlily.

The gardens, founded in 1840 by Johann Heinrich Blasius in the grounds of a stately mansion on the banks of the River Oker,  are a department of the Technical University of Braunschweig.   In 1828, a smaller garden existed on the opposite bank of the river, which soon outgrew its purpose, and Blasius had to find a bigger site.  The old garden was lost in 1868. By 1900 there were 2700 species outdoors, and 1200 in greenhouses.  Some of the original trees from 1840 remain to this day.

The gardens and greenhouses were bombed in 1944/45, and partially destroyed, but all have since been rebuilt.   By 1985 a two acre baroque garden, with an emphasis on farming,  was laid out, which was augmented in 1989 with a stream and small waterfall in a ravine.   The garden was expanded by four acres in 1995, which is now a research area.

Red and pink hollyhocks.

Stating the obvious I know, but these blooms, together with their neighbours of many colours were a most beautiful sight to behold.  I had obviously chosen a good time to visit.

Maroon hollyhocks!

The sixty species of hollyhocks are native to Europe and Asia, and are annual, biennial or perennial plants usually standing in an erect, unbranched form.  They are popular garden ornamental plants, and are easily grown from seed.   The red flowering variety attracts hummingbirds (none to be seen on Thursday) and butterflies.  The stems can be used as firewood, and the roots have been used for medicinal purposes.

The centrepiece of the herb garden.

 I do like symmetry, and this garden, with its different varieties of herbs laid out in each box hedged quarter, has this central feature of the red geraniums growing in a stone urn.  Four pathways radiate from the centre, with four trees in tubs, two of which can be seen.  The seat in the background in mirrored by one behind me, as I took this photo.  Slow wandering and pondering the meaning of life are two necessary prerequisites for the enjoyment of these gardens, and a strong desire to keep out of the heat of course!