Nestled at the gateway to Brussels, the Botanical Garden of Meise is more than just a green space; it's a sanctuary of biodiversity that extends its roots over almost 92 hectares. This botanical garden is not only a haven of peace for nature lovers, but also an inexhaustible source of inspiration for amateur and professional gardeners alike. In this article, we invite you to take an inspiring walk through the heart of Meise, exploring its varied sections and discovering how its wonders can enrich your own garden.
A journey across the continents
The Botanical Garden of Meise is a microcosm of the world's flora, offering a botanical journey through different continents. From its impressive tropical greenhouse, the Palais des Plantes, housing a breathtaking collection of tropical specimens, to its medicinal plant garden and the brand-new island garden, not forgetting the rose garden, the scent garden, the Cronquist garden with its 1300 species of plants classified by family, or the rhododendron wood, each section of the garden tells a story.
Inspiration: Incorporate plants that are adapted to your climate but inspired by the tropical or medicinal zones of the Meise garden. Use cold-hardy plants that evoke the exotic, such as hardy ferns or euphorbia, to recreate a corner of tropical paradise.
The reign of century-old trees
The century-old trees of the Meise Botanical Garden are living witnesses to history. Each tree has its own story, like the famous Taxodium distichum, whose roots seem to plunge into the waters of another world.
Tip: To give your garden an old-fashioned character, consider planting tree species that improve with age. Slow-growing trees, such as oak or beech, bring majesty and permanence to your green space.
Greenhouses, a treasure trove of biodiversity
At the heart of the Meise Botanical Garden, the greenhouses stand like jewels of glass and steel, housing an incredible diversity of plant life. These structures are not simply shelters for plants; they are portals to other worlds, distant ecosystems carefully recreated to study, conserve and exhibit the world's flora.
The Tropical Greenhouse is an immersion in a world of heat and humidity, where lush greenery dominates and the air is charged with the scent of exotic flowers. Here, rare and sometimes endangered plants thrive under a glass dome, offering a glimpse into the richness of tropical forests. From serpentine lianas to delicate orchids, each plant tells the story of its remote origin.
Tip: While your garden may not be able to replicate the tropical climate, consider creating a greenhouse garden corner to grow species that require more warmth and humidity. Plants such as anthuriums or bromeliads can bring a tropical touch to your home.
The Desert Greenhouse stands in stark contrast to the tropical lushness, presenting an arid landscape populated by cacti, agaves and succulents. This greenhouse demonstrates the extraordinary capacity of plants to adapt to extreme conditions. The diversity of forms and survival strategies in this dry environment is a lesson in plant resilience and ingenuity.
Gardener's tip: Succulents and cacti are perfectly suited to life indoors or in dry gardens. They require little maintenance and can offer a unique aesthetic to your space. Consider creating a rock garden or an area dedicated to drought-resistant plants.
The Cold Greenhouse hosts plants from temperate to cold climates, showing the beauty of flora that thrives in less extreme conditions. This zone offers ideas for gardeners living in similar climates, with species that can thrive outdoors in many regions.
A living laboratory
The Meise Botanical Garden doesn't just amaze; it plays a crucial role in species conservation and environmental education. The garden is committed to the preservation of endangered plants and offers an insight into the importance of biodiversity.
Inspiration: Get involved in protecting biodiversity by integrating native plants into your garden or creating a small wild space to encourage local wildlife.
Each season has its own charm: a garden in perpetual metamorphosis
The Botanical Garden of Meise never rests; it is continually transformed by the seasons, offering visitors a living, evolving spectacle. Each season reveals its charms and secrets, making the garden a place to rediscover all year round.
In Spring, the garden awakens in an explosion of color. Magnolias and camellias unfurl their petals, while daffodils and crocuses carpet the ground in multicolors. It's the perfect time to take inspiration from nature's rebirth and plan the planting of your own garden.
In summer, the garden reaches its peak with a dazzling diversity of blooms. Roses, azaleas and rhododendrons vie with each other in beauty and fragrance. Long sunny days allow you to explore the more remote areas of the garden, such as the medicinal herb garden or the plant labyrinth, and take notes for summer creations at home.
Autumn envelops the garden in a palette of warm colors. The foliage of the trees is adorned in gold, red and copper, creating an enchanting setting. Fruits and seeds add a touch of life to the scene, attracting birds and small mammals. It's an inspiring time to think about adding plants with beautiful autumn colors or interesting winter structures to your garden.
Winter, far from being a dreary period, reveals the structure and silent beauty of the garden. The silhouettes of bare trees, conifers and striking bark offer a unique visual spectacle. This is the time to plan structural additions to your garden, such as evergreen hedges or decorative bark trees, to maintain interest all year round.
Inspiration: through its seasonal metamorphoses, the Botanical Garden of Meise teaches the importance of planning a garden that evolves and enchants with each season.
Practical tips for your visit
· Website : www.plantentuinmeise.be
· Location: Jardin Botanique / Plantentuin Meise, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgique.
· Opening hours: Ouvert toute l'année, avec des horaires variés selon les saisons.
· Price: 11€ (18+), 10€ (seniors), 4€ (6-17 yrs), free for under 6s => Online booking