The garden was founded by Sergey Kharitonov in 1952 as an experimental nursery for forest cultures.
It is one of the few places in central Russia where non-native coniferous and deciduous species are successfully adapted to the local climate.
The garden contains a specialized 'Japanese Garden' area designed with traditional landscaping principles.
The park serves as an open-air laboratory for the Plesheevo Lake National Park environmental agency.
Several rare and endangered plant species listed in the Russian Red Data Book are cultivated here for conservation purposes.
Dendrologicheskiy Sad Im. S.F. Kharitonova is a protected botanical garden managed as part of the Plesheevo Lake National Park. Established in the mid-20th century by forester Sergey Kharitonov, the park spans approximately 58 hectares of diverse arboreal collections. It features over 600 species of trees and shrubs sourced from North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caucasus. The grounds are divided into geographical zones, including sections dedicated to the flora of the Far East, Siberia, and Western Europe. Visitors traverse a network of walking paths that navigate through natural landscapes, rock gardens, and specialized collection plots. The park functions as both a recreational space and an active scientific research center for acclimatizing non-native plant species. It serves as a significant conservation site for the regional biodiversity of the Yaroslavl Oblast.
The wooden bridge in the Japanese-style section of the garden.
Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for gravel and dirt paths.
Bring mosquito repellent, as the dense vegetation and proximity to the lake attract insects during summer months.
Use the map located at the entrance to navigate the distinct geographical zones.
Attempting to shortcut through the landscaped zones, which damages the specialized soil and root systems of delicate imports.
Open daily during the warm season; may be partially inaccessible or closed during deep winter snow coverage.
Stay on marked paths to protect sensitive plant beds; picking flowers or damaging trees is strictly prohibited.
