Around 8,000 plant species from all over the world thrive on the two hectares of the Botanical Gardens at Stephanshorn, St. Gallen. Special features include the Tropical House, with its rainforest plants, succulents and orchids, and the architecturally remarkable Alpine House.
The widely diverse plants are divided into around 20 different categories. Groupings include geographical zones (Europe, America, Asia), academic subject areas (biology, genetics, systems), species with human uses (agricultural, poisonous and medicinal plants), and a number of individual plant sections such as the maple grove, the iris corner and the fern dell.
The Alpine House is not just an architectural jewel: it boasts a wide variety of exceptional botanical specimens, and the range on display is constantly rotated. Other highlights of the St. Gallen Botanical Gardens include a house devoted to carnivorous plants and another to lithops or “living stones” . The nutrient-poor (but species-rich) grassland area is home to over a hundred native meadowland species.
Visitors can benefit from the regular events, exhibitions and guided tours to expand their knowledge of the world's treasury of plants, or simply seek out and enjoy a beautiful spot in this idyllic garden.
