It was a bright and sunny day when I visited the Hortensia Garden at Meggenhorn Castle. From a distance, I could already see the vibrant display of hydrangea blooms in every imaginable color and shape, covering the expansive grounds.

As I entered the garden, a delightful fragrance enveloped me, instantly captivating my senses. The meticulously designed beds and pathways invited me to leisurely stroll through the garden and admire the blooming beauties up close.

It was a feast for the eyes. Everywhere I looked, there were delicate pastel hues, dazzling bursts of color, and abundant floral clusters. Each hydrangea had its own unique charm, proudly radiating its beauty. I couldn't get enough of this impressive diversity.

As I wandered among the flowers, I learned about the garden's special significance. Since 2012, it has been home to around 40 traditional Swiss hydrangea cultivars that were in danger of extinction. The ProSpecieRara Foundation collected and preserved these varieties, ensuring their legacy lives on.

In addition to the hydrangeas, the garden showcased old cultivated and ornamental plants, as well as rare livestock. It had become a vibrant showcase network for ProSpecieRara, not only preserving genetic diversity but also fostering the development of new cultivars.

I spent hours meandering through the garden, marveling at each individual hydrangea and soaking in the harmonious atmosphere. It was a place of tranquility and inspiration, where I could fully immerse myself in the beauty of nature.

As I reluctantly left the Hortensia Garden at Meggenhorn Castle, I felt a sense of fulfillment and gratitude for this unique experience. The garden had offered me an escape from everyday life and a deeper connection to the natural world and its abundance.

I will always carry this magical haven of hydrangea blooms at Meggenhorn Castle in my heart, and I hope that many more visitors have the opportunity to discover this enchanting oasis.

The Brissago Islands form the botanical garden of the Canton of Ticino. The smaller island (or Isola di Sant'Apollinare) is covered by spontaneous vegetation, mainly of Insubrese origin, which is left in its natural state. On the Isola Grande (or Isola di San Pancrazio), which has been open to the public since 1950, mainly plants of subtropical origin from the northern and southern hemispheres have been planted. In 1885, Baroness Antoinette Saint-Léger chose the islands as her residence and frequently invited painters, sculptors, musicians and writers. The large island became an exotic garden.

In 1927, the new owner Max Emden, a businessman from Hamburg, had the present island palace, harbour and Roman bath built and expanded the care of exotic plants. The Botanical Garden offers a fascinating insight into the subtropical plant world.

Azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese hemp palms, numerous camellias, Japanese bananas, bamboo and ginkgo transport the visitor to the Far East. The group of plants from South Africa surprises with protea, gazania, watsonia, agapanthus and lion's tail. Central America offers a completely different view with magnolia, the American amber tree, agave, bald cypress (on the islands for 30 years with its roots sticking out of the water), yucca, gold poppy, Guaranite sage, beschorneria, opuntia. From Australia come the huge eucalyptus trees (among the oldest at the southern foot of the Alps), broom heather, acacias. Shrub veronica, club lily and string tree take the visitor to New Zealand.

The Mediterranean is represented by sage, rosemary, holm oak, cork oak, Canary Island date palm, broad-leaved holm oak, strawberry tree heather and pine.

The Brissago Islands are part of the Gardens of Switzerland trade, which brings together the most beautiful gardens.

Closed during winter: open from April to November.