Alpine plants

Alpinum

The cultivation of alpine plants has a long tradition in Innsbruck. Anton Kerner von Marilaun was Professor of Natural History at the University of Innsbruck from 1860-1878. In 1875, he established the world's first alpine plant garden on mount Blaser near Trins. His work made the Innsbruck Botanical Garden, which was still located in the heart of the city, a center of attraction, especially through the cultivation of alpine plants.  The alpine garden was born. In contrast to a conventional rock garden with a colorful mixture of mostly low-growing species and varieties, the alpine garden primarily displays plants which originate from higher altitudes and are arranged according to scientific criteria.

Our Alpinum is organized geographically and geologically. It covers an area of more than 2000m². Currently, plants from the large, non-tropical mountain ranges of the world are on display. The range extends from the Cordillera of western North America (Rocky Mountains) to the European mountains and the Caucasus to Central Asia (e.g. Altai, Tian Shan, Pamir, Himalayas).

Alpine house and sand bed

In addition to our alpine garden, we cultivate rare and sensitive mountain plants in two other facilities.

The alpine house, with its foundation deep below the soil surface, ensures relatively even temperatures all year round. Special devices for cooling and the special drainage of the soil make it possible to cultivate plants from mountainous regions, which otherwise cannot easily adapt to the lowland climate in the centre of Innsbruck.

In the so-called sand bed, a roof and particularly permeable soil allow for cultivation of plants for which heat and cold are no issue, but which are sensitive to moisture, especially in winter.