The Antwerp Botanical Garden: Cacti and succulents

While I while briefly in Belgium in mid July 2014 I was able to visit the botanical gardens one of which was the Plantentuin Stad Antwerpen or  Antwerp Botanic Garden in Antwerp.

The garden is rather compact and has several sections including a greenhouse which appears to be only open certain days. Aside from the ponds and sculpture by () the garden has a diverse collection of cacti and succulents in a very central location. They also have a variety of other plants which seem to be arranged according to their families.

The ones I noticed in particular were the Plant Families Solanaceae and Asteraceae because among them were species (Belladonna and Tobacco) and that I have been trying to get photos of for some posts on these families. So you can expect some in the near future.

Unfortunately although I found two species of Brugmansia I was disappointed to discover that they did not have any Datura because I have been wanting to do a post that shows how to distinguish them from each other.

 Another thing that was great about this garden even though it is all put together in a small area is that the plants are all generally clearly labelled. Also when I asked one of the gardeners about the Datura he was very friendly and helpful. There are also a lot of benches around the garden and I saw quite a few people just sitting there or having lunch although there is also a restaurant in a corner of the garden if you want a proper meal.

Location:
Leopoldstraat 24, B-2000 Antwerpen

How to Get There:

Train:To Antwerp Central then walk along the main shopping street De Keyserlei which becomes Leysstraat after it intersects Frankrijklei and eventually becomes Meir after intersecting Otto Veniusstraat and Jezusstraat. It sounds confusing but basically Otto Veniusstraat should be on your left and Jezusstraat on your right as you enter Meir.
Then you just continue till the end of Meir where it connects with Huideverettersstraat. You turn left and go down Huideverettersstraat until it intersects Schuttersofsstraat. You should continue down the left hand fork which Komedieplaats and becomes Leopoldstraat after it intersects with Arenbergstraat. The Botanic Garden should be on your right hand side.

An alternative route is via the right hand fork after Huideverettersstraat which is Lange Gasthuisstraat. The Entrance to the Botanical Garden will be on your left but it is not very obvious. I only found it by accident and after going through discovered the Leopoldstraat entrance from which you can easily see the botanical garden as you walk past.

Additional information:

• Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Entry for Antwerp Botanical Garden

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My other blogs

· Flora and Fauna - Plants and Critters (on plants, animals as well as gardening, conservation and environmental matters): http://plantsandcritters.blogspot.com/
· The Blood of Souls (language, translation and etymology) : http://thebloodofsouls.blogspot.com/
· Whiskers on Kittens (Life with Kittens and Cats in general) : http://whiskersonkittens-vincent.blogspot.com/