Americká zahrada

Americká zahrada (the American Garden) is a small but remarkably valuable nature reserve tucked into the Žďár forest complex, roughly two kilometers from the town of Chudenice in the Klatovy district of the Plzeň region, Czechia. Covering less than two hectares, this modest area protects one of the oldest and most interesting arboretums in the country, hidden beneath the Bolfánek hill and well off the usual tourist routes.

Where does the name come from and what is its history?

The garden's story begins in 1828, when it was established as a source of ornamental trees for the nearby castle park in Chudenice. Its systematic development, however, is tied to 1842 and to Eugen Černín, a member of the noble family that owned the surrounding estates. It was largely thanks to his efforts that trees native to North America were brought to Chudenice, which is how the whole site came to be known as the "American Garden."

In the 1870s, the botanist Ladislav Čelakovský — son of the celebrated Czech poet František Ladislav Čelakovský — was also involved in overseeing the garden's development. The poet's family was staying at the nearby Lázeň chateau at the time, adding an extra layer of cultural history to the site.

What can visitors see in the American Garden?

The main draw is an extraordinary tree collection: the arboretum contains 219 species and cultivars of deciduous and coniferous trees originating from North America, Europe, and Asia. The age of many specimens, their diversity, and the overall good state of preservation make this one of the most significant sites of its kind anywhere in the Czech Republic.

Walking among the old, towering trees evokes the atmosphere of a 19th-century botanical garden, originally designed to gather species that were, at the time, considered exotic novelties. Despite its small size, the site offers a quiet, forested setting where many trees have grown to impressive dimensions over nearly two centuries.

What protection status does the site have?

Given its natural and historical value, Americká zahrada was declared a protected area in 1969, in the category of national nature monument. The protected area currently covers approximately 1.68 to 1.89 hectares, depending on the source.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Americká zahrada located? The garden lies in the Žďár forest, below the Bolfánek hill, about two kilometers from Chudenice, in the Klatovy district of the Plzeň region.

Who founded the arboretum? It was established in 1828, and its systematic development from 1842 onward is linked to Eugen Černín.

How many tree species grow in the arboretum? The collection includes 219 species and cultivars of deciduous and coniferous trees from North America, Europe, and Asia.

Since when has the area been protected? It received nature protection status in 1969.