BASIC AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Are you a fan of indoor plants but struggle with growing them near south-facing windows? The solution is quite simple: succulents.

Succulents offer numerous benefits. No more worrying about what to do with your plants during vacations or current concerns about water scarcity and warmth. Succulents thrive even during extended periods without watering, and they not only tolerate but also welcome drops in temperature during winter.

Indoor succulents bring playfulness and exoticism while adding extravagance, freshness, and originality to interiors with their unusual shapes and colors whether a beginner or a busy professional, caring for succulents is easy and accessible to anyone seeking an effortlessly maintainable and striking indoor plant.

Come to see for yourself that succulents are not just beautiful decorations but also create positive energy and a pleasant atmosphere indoors. Let yourself be inspired and find your perfect piece during the World of Succulents Exposition exhibition.

The exhibition also features a rich accompanying program for the whole family, including the weekend-long African Culture Festival from 15 to 16 June and the exhibition of African art from 8 June to 7 July.

When and where

The exhibition takes place from 7 June to 7 July at the World of Succulents exposition in the Upper Garden.

The exhibition is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

Admission

Admission to the exhibition is included in the standard entrance fee to the botanical garden. This fee covers entry to the garden premises and all exhibits, including the butterfly exhibition, as well as any other exhibitions and events taking place at the botanical garden at that time (unless they have a special fee).

15% discount on admission when purchasing an e-ticket (Czech language only).

Annual passes, neighborhood passes and VIP tickets are valid for the event.

* Dog entry is permitted only in Outdoor expositions.

** ZTP/P visitors have the option of free accompaniment.

How to get to us

The garden is accessible in various ways, but the most convenient is to use public transportation. For a complete overview of how to reach us, including parking information, please click here.

ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM

Exhibition of African Art, Weekends 8 June – 7 July, 10.00 a.m.–7.00 p.m., Small Exhibition Hall in the Ornamental Garden

The exhibition will showcase a unique collection of African cultural artifacts from the Ambrož family's private collection, accumulated over years of adventurous expeditions.

Among the highlights are the finest pieces from the region known as "Black Africa," a term used for the part of the African continent located south of the Sahara. This region comprises over 40 countries with diverse populations and rich traditions, all reflected in their art and everyday objects. The most characteristic expressions of traditional African art include masks, weapons, clothing, and fabrics.

Since 2007, Jana and Viktor Ambrož have operated a private zoological garden in Dvorec near Borovany. They are passionate breeders who have achieved their greatest success in lion breeding, an endeavor they have been dedicated to since 1990. As enthusiastic travelers in search of the world's fauna and flora, they have developed a particular fondness for Africa, which has become their second home. Their numerous trips to national parks and reserves inspired them to create their own zoo. Their interest in Africa extends beyond its nature; they were also captivated by its culture and art. Over time, they have built an extensive collection of artifacts, which they now present in the exhibition "Art of Black Africa" at the South Bohemian Museum in České Budějovice.

African Culture Festival, 15-16 June, 9.00 a.m.–7.00 p.m., Ornamental Garden

To complement our succulent exhibition, we have prepared a truly packed festival program for you, taking place over the weekend of 15-16 June. During these two days, you will be able to experience Africa with all your senses.

You can look forward to traditional African dishes, various creative workshops, the sounds of African music, and dancing to the rhythm of Africa led by a dance group from the distant Democratic Republic of Congo. The festival atmosphere will be enriched by several lectures, where experienced travelers will take you on an adventurous journey through Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda with their stories and photographs. Namibia will be showcased through the lens of photographer Igor Janíček in a panel exhibition from his travels.

A detailed festival schedule will be published at the end of May.

Exhibition of African Sculptures by Ing. Ondřej Homolka, 15–16 June, along the path from Slope exposition to the Bee-active Garden

During the African Culture Festival weekend (15-16 June), you will have the opportunity to view truly unique stone sculptures, hand-carved by artists in Zimbabwe.

Since 2014, these sculptures have been displayed at the Safari Park in Dvůr Králové. The sculptors in Tengenenge are an ethnically and religiously diverse group, coming from various parts of Africa, which is reflected in their works. Each sculpture embodies the world that surrounds the artist, using serpentinite quarried in Tengenenge just outside the village. The local stone is black in color. No machinery is used in the quarrying or sculpting process. Everything is done by the hardworking hands of local residents, providing a livelihood for their families. Some of these sculptures can also be seen near the Fata Morgana Greenhouse.

SUCCULENTS AT THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

Our collection of succulent and xerophytic (drought-tolerant) plants is highly valuable, featuring many specimens with known places of origin. Displayed in the Fata Morgana Greenhouse and the World of Succulents in the northern part of the garden, the collection includes nearly 1,200 species, with a significant number from Madagascar. These plants are of exceptional importance due to their documented origins and the rapid destruction of Madagascar's natural habitats.

World of Succulents

This exposition is designed to closely resemble natural habitats, showcasing how various plants, even in arid regions, coexist with succulents, all uniquely adapted to the local climate.

The left section is devoted to the flora of the Americas, beginning with an exposition of central Mexico. It continues with plants from Peru's Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra, followed by succulents from Argentina, and concludes with the flora of Chile's Atacama Desert.

The right section features succulent communities of the Old World. It starts with two South African expositions, Little Karoo and Namaqualand, followed by the unique flora of the Canary Islands, and ends with the mountain communities of central Madagascar.

Fata Morgana Greenhouse

The interior of the Fata Morgana Greenhouse is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own temperature and humidity levels. As visitors move through the greenhouse, they encounter a variety of plants from tropical and partially subtropical climates.

In the succulent section, visitors can observe drought-tolerant plants from three continents. The terraces to your right along the back wall showcase flora from the arid regions of Australia. The central rock is planted with species primarily from the southern Mexican states of Oaxaca and Puebla. Adjacent to this area is a smaller yet remarkable exposition of Madagascan plants, which also feature in the narrow flower beds lining the pathway. The remaining sloped terrain hosts plant communities from Africa, starting with equatorial regions and ending with the Cape region of South Africa.

MAP OF THE AREA WITH EXHIBITION PROGRAM FOR DOWNLOAD

We look forward to your visit!