The garden was inaugurated in 1923 in conjunction with the Gothenburg Tercentennial Exhibition.
It holds the only living specimen of the Easter Island tree (Sophora toromiro) in a botanical garden outside of its native habitat.
The garden encompasses the Vitsippsdalen (Wood Anemone Valley), which is world-renowned for its intense spring bloom.
The arboretum features trees collected from various global expeditions by the garden's former director, Carl Skottsberg.
The greenhouse collection includes more than 4,000 species and cultivars, including giant water lilies.
Gothenburg Botanical Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in Northern Europe, spanning 175 hectares including a large nature reserve. The garden features approximately 16,000 species, including rare plants like the Easter Island tree. The facility includes a research-focused rock garden, a large arboretum, and a greenhouse complex housing Sweden's largest collection of tropical orchids. The garden's layout integrates formal ornamental beds with untamed woodland paths and hillsides. A prominent feature is the Japanese glade, which highlights specific horticultural collections. The site includes an on-site restaurant and plant shop, facilitating long-term visitor stays. The garden functions as a center for both public recreation and international botanical research. It is situated in the southern part of Gothenburg, adjacent to the Änggårdsbergen nature reserve.
The Japanese glade or the elevated view over the rock garden looking toward the greenhouse glasshouse.
Wear sturdy walking shoes as the terrain includes steep, unpaved hillside trails in the nature reserve section.
Check the official website for current flowering alerts to see seasonal highlights like the rhododendron valley or the bulbous meadow.
Bring a light jacket even in summer, as the temperature inside the greenhouses and under the thick forest canopy can be cooler than the surrounding city.
Do not mistake the entire 175-hectare site for a small city park; it requires significant walking to see the outer collections.
The greenhouses have separate operating schedules from the main outdoor garden area; check the website for seasonal maintenance closures.
Stick to marked paths to protect sensitive plant collections; dogs are permitted only on a leash in specific areas.
