Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna

The Hortus Botanicus Vindobonensis (HBV) is a botanical garden established in 1754 and located in Vienna’s 3rd district, Landstrasse.

The Botanical Garden is a fundamental resource of the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Vienna. It is situated at the rear of the Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research on Rennweg.The facility spans approximately 8 hectares and encompasses 1500 m² of greenhouse area. It accommodates a diverse collection of approximately 11,500 species.

The Botanical Garden is responsible for conducting university research and providing education, preserving plant species that are at risk of extinction, and facilitating the exchange of seeds and plants with other institutions.A significant portion of the garden that is adjacent to the Belvedere Garden is accessible to the general public, thereby serving as a local recreational space in the urban area.Out of all the greenhouses, solely the tropical house situated in the middle of the greenhouse complex is accessible to the general public.

The botanical gardens presently house over 11,500 species of plants, which include extensively documented tropical plants, notably from families such as Annonaceae, Rubiaceae, Gesneriaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Orchidaceae.The greenhouses, spanning approximately 1,500 square meters, were initially constructed from 1890 to 1893. However, they sustained damage during the Second World War and underwent renovation or reconstruction between 1970 and 1995. The public is granted access solely to the tropical greenhouse located at the center of the complex.

The Botanical Garden boasts numerous aged trees, however, one of the most ancient specimens has been removed from the premises. The Platanus orientalis, commonly known as the Jacquin or Mozart plane tree, is a natural monument located in Vienna. It is situated in front of the Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research. As a result of property changes, it is now situated on the sidewalk in front of the Department.

History

The gardens have a historical origin as they were established in 1754 by Empress Maria Theresa, who founded the Hortus Botanicus Vindobonensis. The renowned botanist Nikolaus von Jacquin served as one of its first directors. Joseph von Jacquin assumed the position of director after his father’s tenure, followed by several renowned botanists such as Stefan Endlicher, Eduard Fenzl, Anton Kerner von Marilaun, Richard von Wettstein, Fritz Knoll, Karl von Frisch, and Lothar Geitler. The construction of the Institute of Botany edifice was completed in 1905. Subsequent to the conclusion of the Second World War, the institute, inclusive of all greenhouses and the surrounding garden premises, sustained significant damage as a result of bombing, necessitating extensive restorative efforts.

The botanical species Wollemia nobilis was first identified in Australia in 1994, having been previously documented solely through fossil records. In 2004, the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna commemorated its 250th anniversary and was presented with a Wollemia from Australia. This marked the first instance of a Wollemia being exhibited on the European mainland. The aforementioned botanical specimen has been placed on a permanent loan to the Schönbrunn Palm House. The non-hardy plant belongs to the category of cold house plants in the garden. At 2:30 p.m. on May 29, 2022, the titanwort plant achieved full bloom. During the process, the upper portion experiences an increase in temperature and releases an unfavorable scent. The operating hours for the next two days have been extended until 11 p.m.

Vienna, Austria