Academic CentreBotanic gardens are institutions holding documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific research, conservation, display and education (Wyse Jackson, International Agenda for Botanic Gardens, 1999).
Azaleas in the greenhouse from February to April; magnificent magnolias in spring; banks of rhododendrons at the beginning of summer; roses and peonies in the heat of the summer and dahlias in autumn. From March to October, visitors can experience tropical exotica and walk amidst butterflies in the Tropical Butterfly House. The Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia blooms and blossoms throughout the year!
The Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia can be found across the river, in Pārdaugava, just a 10-minute ride from the central part of Riga. The Garden was founded in 1922. Visitors can explore greenhouses and outdoor collections with about 6,000 different plants. It is one of the most well-loved recreational spaces in Riga – you can slowly walk around the Garden’s territory, get to know plants from all over the world, visit the Palm House, as well as the Tropical Butterfly House, or just enjoy lush nature in the middle of the city. Whether you are a gardening enthusiast, a botanical expert, or just want to spend time in a beautiful and pleasant environment, you will always find something interesting here.
The Garden’s collections are wide and carefully chosen – they include protected plants, or those used for medical treatment, as well as a collection of the poisonous plants of Latvia. Many of the trees in the arboretum are uncommon for Latvian flora; for example, the witch hazel, cedar, walnut tree, ginkgo tree, mulberries, roses, cork tree and an edible chestnut tree. The Garden has a rich collection of perennial plants, dahlias and other ornamentals. A special collection provides an insight into the world of mire plants. The Palm House holds various species of tropical and subtropical plants, as well as different dessert plants, including cacti.
