Průhonice - Official website     

The Dendrological Garden of the Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape & Ornamental Gardening is a specialized place aimed at concentrating and studying profoundly ornamental plants to be used in gardens and landscapes under local weather conditions. The “Dendrological Garden” concept signals that mainly local trees and broader environmental links are under study. Not only dendrological, qualitative, aesthetic evaluations, inquiries into the health condition and potential applications of plants but also the study of their relationships with other plants and organisms are at the focal point of research. The garden lay-out is unique because strong emphasis is placed on using individual plant groups in landscaping. Thanks to this arrangement, the garden serves both the professional and general public as a source of knowledge and inspiration. It provides a background for the education and awareness-raising of broad groups of population, including thematic walks, further education of teachers or youth awareness-raising events. Its role of a leisure resort in the vicinity of Prague is of equal importance. 

            The garden, spreading over 73hectares, was set up in mid-1970s. Pursuant to the original plan, this area was broken down into 29 thematic groups, depending on their landscaping usage or on the stand-related demands of individual plant groups; sometimes, collections of monogenetic woods (willows, pines…) are developed separately.  Individual groups follow upon each other and sometimes blend together. Experimental and gathering plantations are designed so that they do not visually disturb the area.  Centrally situated extensive meadows provide an ideal background for individual groups of woody plants.  The largest water plane is the “Černý rybník” pond with beds of perennials along its banks and with the out-flowing “Černý potok” stream with cascaded water reservoirs. Humid air below the pond creates microclimate optimum for growing rare plants from mountainous regions of Asia and North America.  Experimental beds of rhododendrons and azaleas, belonging to the richest collections in the garden, are concentrated on the garden’s west side.  Currently, work is in progress on nearly 20 thematic units, with others being prepared. About 5,000 wood and perennial taxa are concentrated in the Dentrological Garden, which ranks it among the largest collections of ornamental plants in the Czech Republic.

An information system has been set up for better orientation of visitors in the Garden and individual plants are marked with nameplates. Children enjoy the “Pirate Village” playground at the Garden’s entrance. You can shelter from rain and sun under arbours and pergolas. The Visitor Rules enable free movement in all low-cut park lawns. The garden also serves as a sanctuary of a wide variety of birds, amphibians, insects and others. The stand of diverse tree species is favourable for the occurrence of dozens of mushroom, lichen and moos species. In 1994, the garden was registered as a Significant Landscape Element compliant with the Czech National Council’s Act No. 114/1992Coll.

The garden lies in the height of 285 m above sea level. Yearly temperature average is 8.8 °C. Yearly precipitations reach 564.9 mm.

All year round, various events are organised for the public – specialized exhibitions showing new plant breeding trends. On the occasion of the Trees´ Day, the Children´s Day is held, as well as wood species exhibitions with expert presentations.  

The garden is open to the public from April to October (Tuesday – Sunday, 9:00 – 18:00).

Dogs are not admitted; picking mushrooms and any parts of plants or cycling in the garden are not allowed.

For topical information visit www.vukoz.cz

Public transport links: Bus (No. 324, 325, 328, 385, 363) from the “Opatov” metro station to “Čestlice-Globál” stop, which is the next stop after “Průhonice, náměstí”.

Operator’s address:

Výzkumný ústav Silva Taroucy

pro krajinu a okrasné zahradnictví, v. v. i.,

Květnové nám. 391, 252 43 Průhonice

Telephone: +420 296 528 111

Fax: +420 267 750 440

E-mail: adm@vukoz.cz

Garden address:

Dendrologická zahrada

Za dálnicí 146, 252 43 Průhonice

Telephone:  +420 267 711 690,

E-mail: dz@vukoz.cz