Arboretum Borotín

Arboretum Borotín is a compact yet remarkably rich collection of ornamental plants in the village of Borotín, in the Boskovicko region of South Moravia, within the Blansko district. Spread across roughly 4.5 hectares, it holds nearly 3,000 species of trees, shrubs and perennials gathered from around the world, making it one of the more interesting private botanical collections in the Czech Republic.

How did it come to be?

The arboretum was established in 1975 on the grounds of a former, nationalized orchard. Gardeners from the local agricultural cooperative began planting ornamental species and gradually built up the site's different sections — rock gardens with small ponds, a pavilion topped with a green roof, and gardens inspired by Japan and China. Over the following decades the collection kept growing, giving the grounds an increasingly varied character.

After the political changes of the early 1990s, the land became subject to restitution claims. The new owner, however, struggled to maintain such a demanding property, and for a period the arboretum was left untended and came close to falling into ruin. Today, after years of restoration work, the site is once again open and welcoming visitors.

What can visitors see?

A walk through the arboretum takes in several themed areas. There are sample home gardens meant to inspire visitors' own planting ideas, a bonsai collection, extensive rock gardens filled with alpine plants, an herb display, and — among the highlights — a Japanese garden and a Chinese garden. Each section has its own character and signature plants, so touring the grounds feels like a journey through different gardening traditions from around the globe.

Because the arboretum operates alongside a plant nursery, visitors can do more than just admire the displays — they can also buy seedlings, from bonsai to perennials, trees and ornamental shrubs, and take a piece of the collection home for their own garden.

When is the best time to visit?

The arboretum is open seasonally, from April to October, Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays). During the winter holiday period it also hosts additional events, such as nativity scene exhibitions, drawing visitors outside the usual growing season.

Spring and early summer are especially rewarding, when alpine plants and perennials bloom in the rock gardens, though autumn brings its own appeal thanks to the changing colors of deciduous and coniferous trees in the Japanese and Chinese sections.

Frequently asked questions

How many plant species does the arboretum hold? The collection includes nearly 3,000 species of trees, shrubs and other plants from various parts of the world.

When was the arboretum founded? It was established in 1975 on the site of a former orchard that had previously belonged to the local agricultural cooperative.

Can you buy plants at the arboretum? Yes, an on-site nursery sells plants including bonsai, perennials, and ornamental trees and shrubs.

When is the arboretum open? The season runs from April to October, Tuesday through Sunday; it is closed on Mondays, aside from occasional special events during the winter period.

Which themed gardens can be explored there? Besides the home-garden displays and alpine rock gardens, the site includes a Japanese garden, a Chinese garden, an herb exhibition, and a bonsai collection.