Amsterdam’s Botanical Garden
Dave’s work takes him to lots of interesting places, and he occasionally gets a free day when he can explore. Last month he visited Hortus Botanicus, which is Amsterdam’s Botanical Garden. It’s one of the oldest in the world, dating to 1638. There weren’t many orchids on display, but in the midst of a Northern European winter, he still managed to find an Oncidium in bloom. And of course, there were plenty of other wonders to enjoy.
Like many old European botanical gardens, such as Chelsea Physic Garden in London, Amsterdam’s was originally founded to grow medicinal plants. Only later did they become homes for exotic species from Europe’s colonial exploits. Now they are refuges for rare and endangered plants, as well as green oases among concrete and steel cities.
This garden may be best known as the source of all coffee plants in the Americas. The Dutch brought a coffee plant from Java to the garden in the early 1700’s, where it thrived, and became the parent of the entire coffee crop in Central and South America. Coffee lovers can read more of the history at Sprudge.com. It’s one more delicious reason to enjoy Hortus Botanicus.
Explore posts in the same categories: Botanical Gardens, General Gardening, Photos
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