Exhibition Houses

The Cactus and Succulent House

The Cactus and Succulent House

The former Camellia and Flower House was built at the time of Grand Duke Friedrich I under the architect Heinrich Hübsch in the mid-19th century.  It was heavily damaged in World War II and rebuilt in 1952.  Since that time it has housed the Exhibition House for Cacti and Succulents (Schauhaus Kakteen und Sukkulenten).
One of the most impressive exhibits here is the Golden Barrel Cactus.  Several specimens of this plant, also known in German as "Mother-in-Law's Seat" (Schwiegermuttersitz) can be seen in this house.  The three largest of these plants have a circumference of approx. 79 in (200 cm) and are estimated to be over 200 years old.  Another new feature for all greenhouses after World War II was the fact that the plants were no longer forced to grow in pots and tubs, but were instead planted directly in the ground.

Cattleya Cymbidium Phalaenopsis

The Palm House

This exhibition house also originated in the age of Grand Duke Friedrich I.  Following its destruction in World War II, it was rebuilt from 1955 to 1956.  In the process, the building's historical appearance was restored both inside and out.
In addition to various palm species, beautiful cymbidia orchids also grow here.  During their flowering period in winter and spring, they enrich the Palm House with a variety of splendid colors.  The giant bamboo, the bird of paradise flower and camellias are other plants worth seeing in this exhibition house.

View into the Warm or Tropical House

The Warm or Tropical House

Direct connected with a passageway to the Palm House, the Warm or Tropical House is characterized by very high humidity.  Here three large plant families dominate in the colorful, lush diversity of species, i.e. arums, bromeliads and orchids.
A warm house already existed under Grand Duke Karl Friedrich according to plans of Friedrich Weinbrenner.  Under Grand Duke Friedrich I it was highly dilapidated and a completely new Warm House was built.  Like the entire Botanical Gardens, the Warm House also suffered greatly during World War II.  In the 50's it was restored and has also been home to the large water lily "Victoria regia" in a kidney-shaped pool on the inner south side since that time.  Named after the Queen of England, it originates from tropical South America.  Its leaves have a diameter of up to approx. 6.6 ft (2 m) and the blossoms grow in rapid sequence so that soon only little of the water's surface can be seen.

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Technische Beratung, Gestaltung, Konzept und Umsetzung: Ralf Gatzki und Friederike Rook