Forstbotanischer Garten, Friedenswald

The Forstbotanischer Garten garden in the southern Cologne borough of Rodenkirchen specialises in sylvan botany. Established in 1964, it is set over a good 25 hectare. With over 3,000 species of groves, the garden boasts an extraordinary large diversity of species, some of which are foreign groves.

Cedars and redwoods from Northern America are spread on a one-and-a-half-hectare forest ground. Particularly charming is the Japanese section with uncountable azaleas, peonies and Katsura trees. The garden’s military past can be recollected when viewing the Rhododendron Canyon. Until the end of World War I, the area was part of the ”Äußerer Festungsring Köln”, the outer ring of fortresses that surrounded Cologne. It was used as an infantry base. Remaining segments were integrated into the plantings as a rocky garden.

In the south, the adjacent Friedenswald, “Forest of Peace”,   invites to a botanic tour of the world. Germany’s world-wide diplomatic relations are represented by plants growing in the matching countries.