About us

The history of the Botanical Garden

Activity and collection expansion, events 2013-

As of July 2013 Aniko Németh performs the duties of the director of the Botanical Garden, who in previous years not only as deputy director, but also as a researcher and event organizer, and as an institutional contact person helped to shape the current state of the SZTE Botanical Garden.

It was handed over on April 26, 2014, during the Earth Day event new tropical greenhouse, which is now decorated with plants and welcomes visitors every day of the year. In the greenhouse with a floor area of more than 500 square meters and an interior height of at least 7.5 meters, most of the 50-year-old plants remained in place, but the showroom was expanded with many visual elements. In and around the newly built, multi-level lake system, you can see aquatic and waterside plants of tropical rivers and lakes: fairy roses, papyrus, water hyacinth, water millet, Brazilian giant sedge and, according to our plans, we will also try to grow the Amazonian fairy rose. Insect-catching plants, pitcher plants, and hornworts were also housed in this greenhouse. The very rich collection of ferns in the herb garden has also moved to a more ideal place for the plants, on a 2.5 m high green wall with a stream, you can admire the representatives of the harrastok tribe. From the also newly created gallery running around the edge of the greenhouse, you can admire the tropical collection from a completely different perspective, almost from the height of the canopy.

Those interested can get to know the plant material of the collection by grouping it around different topics (useful plants, rainforest plants, forms of plant adaptation, orchids, endangered plant species), so they are guaranteed to learn many interesting things about the striking diversity of tropical landscapes. Information boards help you find your way around and gain knowledge. Thanks to this investment, our cactus collection, which until now could not be visited due to lack of space, was also opened to the public. Among the more than half a hundred succulent, drought-adapted plant species, you can see cacti of different shapes and growth characteristics (e.g. tree-dwelling Rhipsalis) and succulents (rock rose bushes, milkweeds) in a display area inside the greenhouse building.

In addition to the numerous innovations of 2014, it is worth mentioning the lotus lake surrounding Japanese gardenet, which is unique in this region; and organized around the fragrant and magnificent plant in the garden, lavender Lavender Days event as well.

In 2015, the design of the Japanese garden and the expansion of its Asian plant material continued, so bamboos, camellias, rhododendrons, ornamental cherries, and female petals were replaced. From this year, the entrance to the Japanese pedestrian garden will be one tori Japanese gate also decorates. THE reconstruction of a rock garden with the installation of nearly 100 tons of andesite, it is coming to an end, according to our plans, the plants will also be in their final place next year. As part of the rock garden, a gorge valley decorated with waterfalls from several directions was also completed. The rose garden historical roses collection, which we plan to take on its cozy, English garden-style form in 2016. As a donation from the National Botanical Garden, the collection of perennial plants has grown with many species. Based on the decision of the environmental protection inspectorate, more than 2,000 individuals of 23 protected plant species came to us, and by planting them, we expanded the herbaceous plant material of the natural associations. The surroundings of the farmyard were colored by the planting of fruit trees and the creation of a grape collection. The reconstruction of the arboretum began, one of the endowments of which was the enrichment of the garden's dendrological collection with numerous plant species.

Our tropical butterfly garden, which opened in May 2016, can be considered the number one attraction of the year. We managed to raise more than 20 tropical (South American and Thai) butterfly species and present them to the interested in a foil tent that imitates the rainforest climate and vegetation. In connection with the butterfly garden, our previously inaccessible fern collection has also been opened to the public. A variety collection showing more than 30 leaf varieties of common ivy was created, and the species stock of the arboretum and greenhouses continued to grow. During the fall, more than 3,000 species and varieties of bulbous plants, special tulips, daffodils, saffron, lily of the valley and autumn sedge were planted in the ground to color the beds with their flowers from the spring of 2017.

THE 2017, in addition to innovations, was also a year of evaluations and retrospectives the X. Lotus Days gave. The success of the event proved that we can draw attention to the importance of flora through family events that move a larger crowd. On the occasion of the jubilee, we awarded a commemorative medal to those performers and helpers who raised the standard of the event with their high-quality work over the years. In view of the great interest, we opened this year as well tropical butterfly garden. As a research program, commissioned by the Körös-Maros National Park, a 5-year, until 2021, started during the summer plant propagation work also, in which we undertook to collect the seeds of 83 species of loess grass that are rare, endangered or protected in the area, propagate them ex situ (in the Botanical Garden), and then replant them on wastelands in the initial stages of regeneration, thereby promoting the preservation of natural plant diversity. There was one beekeeping demonstration as well as its debut as a new autumn event Mushroom day, in which we drew attention to this special group of organisms. We were pleased to see that our developments and programs were not without interest, since in 2017 a record number of more than 30 000 we had a visitor.

THE 2018Among the events of 2010, the establishment of a collection of insect-catching plants, which was located on the floor of the tropical greenhouse, deserves mention as an innovation. The collection presents the species and horticultural varieties of hornworts, pitcher plants, dew grasses, and sedges, a total of 59 taxa. In connection with this, we organized the Insect Catching Plants Day for the first time as a professional and family day in autumn.

In the framework of joint research with the Körös-Maros National Park, in the autumn period we successfully resettled a total of 9,867 individuals of the 46 species that we have ex situ (raised in the Herb Garden) in the three larger territorial units of the national park. In addition to resettlement, we also planted seeds of 30 species on the sites.

The renovation of the rock garden has been completed. The replanted collection is currently home to 350 species and varieties of bulbous and perennial plants, including species and horticultural versions of botanical tulips, starflowers, crow's feet, thymes, poppies, flame flowers, and heathers. The rocky roofs are decorated with evergreens, 12 types of pine: dwarfed versions of forest and black pine and dwarf pine varieties were replaced. In the gorge with a waterfall between the rocks, the representatives of the ferns (stem fern, lady's fern, golden curlew, western scale fern) found their living conditions.

The raised beds that form the basis of the new systematic collection have been completed.

On January 22, 2019, on the occasion of the Day of Hungarian Culture, the Municipality of the city of Szeged recognized the work of director Anikó Németh with the Kölcsey medal.

THE the year 2019 in March, we started with a 5 suitable course, consisting of practical and theoretical parts, presenting the basics of gardening. THE Let's garden together in the Botanic Garden its topics included composting, growing balcony plants, garden design, plant protection.

THE Plants Day our range of thematic programs has been expanded with an event. In recent years, we have participated several times in the International Plant Day program series held at various locations in the city, but this year, for the first time, the Botanical Garden hosted the event. On this occasion, university departments, research workshops and associations dealing with the scientific and educational promotion of flora were also invited and given the opportunity to present their activities to a wider audience.

It started Mediterranean greenhouse revision of his plant collection, during which the display was not only rejuvenated, but also expanded with several new species: the passionflower growing on the supporting columns with colorful and uniquely shaped flowers (Passiflora sp.) with species and horticultural varieties, temperate orchids and desert roses (Adenium sp.) with his collection. Connected to the entrance of the Mediterranean house, we also created a plant complex consisting of winter-resistant succulent species (yuccas, bear's paw cacti).

THE renewal of the systematic collection continued, the planting of plants in the filled raised beds began.

September, which seriously affected Szeged storm unfortunately, it caused a lot of damage to the plants in the herb garden, especially the woody ones, several aspen, oak, beech and linden trees fell or were severely damaged. The period at the end of the year was thus spent restoring the storm damage.

The joint project with the Körös-Maros National Park aimed at restoring abandoned fields continued. In the autumn period, we cover 6 areas ex situ, that is, we planted 11,082 individuals of 54 plant species propagated and raised in the Botanical Garden. In addition to resettlement, we also planted seeds of 36 species on the sites.

The garden was gratifyingly visited by many people, we had 44,000 visitors during the year.

2020in , unfortunately, the epidemiological situation was the determinant of our operation. The garden was closed in the spring, and after the summer opening, we continued the work behind closed doors again in the fall. Taking advantage of the forced closure, we devoted our time and energy to the maintenance and development of the collections.

We designed one orchid house, in which, on the one hand, greenhouse orchids already in our collection were placed, on the other hand, new acquisitions were also made. During the expansion of the collection, we placed great emphasis on the acquisition and presentation of naturally occurring (botanical species). The orchid house was located in the greenhouse next to the fern house. The collection contains 250-300 plants, nearly 90 species and 70 hybrids of 60 genera, both tree-dwelling (epiphytic) and soil-dwelling orchids.

The systematic collection, we planted plants in the raised beds based on the latest taxonomic research, primarily domestic species. Unique ceramics made by ceramist István Zakar were placed in front of the beds.

The Japanese garden has also been renovated in many places, a new torii gate has been built for its entrance and the display has been expanded with plantings.

The project aimed at restoring abandoned fields shared with the Körös-Maros National Park has reached its last year, covering the entire vegetation period. project. After seed collection and ex situ propagation, we successfully planted 10,399 individuals of 70 species on 6 regenerating fallows in the fall. The seed sowing and seed scattering affected three fallow areas, and we spread a total of more than 130,000 seeds on them.

Due to the increasing attendance over the years, the time has come for a larger one, separate from the main building treasury building to form. Construction work on the cash register started at the end of the year. Despite the restrictions, our annual number of visitors was favorable, with nearly forty-four thousand people visiting the Botanical Garden.

By the spring of 2021, two of our visitor-friendly investments have been completed: they have been completed new treasury building and almost 1 km long the garden's asphalt paths were renewed. Unfortunately, the epidemic situation left its mark on this year as well. The garden did not have to be closed, but due to the restrictions, we were able to accommodate much fewer groups. The flora was burdened by the extremely hot and dry summer. As a new collection, in connection with the tropical butterfly house, the completely renovated one was also opened to visitors Orchid house. A series of tables presenting the history of systematization was completed in addition to the systematic collection. The development of the existing collections also continued, the butterfly house and the orchid house were humidified, the rock garden collection continued to grow, and the Japanese garden was enriched with many species of plants, lanterns, and rocks.

Our joint restoration tender with the Körös-Maros National Park has come to an end. The last planting was also successfully carried out on the Tompapusztai loess lawn, 504 ex situ propagated seedlings were planted. Thus, it can be said that during the five years of the project, we planted a total of 31,745 plants and collected more than 540,000 seeds from the 83 plant species agreed in the contract.

The Botanical Garden proved to be a popular destination again this year, with nearly forty-three thousand people curious about the university's green island.

1996-2013 application opportunities

From 1996 to 2013 Erzsébet Mihalik performed the duties of director. During this time, following the ever-expanding requirements for herb gardens, Aniko Németh (current director) and with the help of his colleagues, new activities were started and are still ongoing.

We support practical nature conservation with flowering and reproductive biology research involving spring thistle, Siberian primrose and perennial carnation. He was one of the first to recognize the Botanical Garden in Szeged ex situ plant propagation importance and successfully participated in a, a persistent carnation in the LIFE application establishing its protection, during which 15,000 long-lasting carnations were propagated and planted back in their natural habitat. In cooperation with the Körös-Maros National Park, he developed a methodology for the propagation of another 32 loess grassland species and successfully applied it in practice.

Since 2006, the first in the country environmental education also appeared on the palette of the garden's services. we offer thematic sessions for kindergarteners and school groups in all seasons, interested children in the summer a herb garden campcan get to know the flora.

Collection development also continued. In 2007, we established a farm yardt, where we present the typical vegetables and ornamental plants of the farm world around Szeged.

With the help of tenders, in 2010, the plant propagation house and the cashier's building were renovated, and a modern light chamber for growing plants was created in it. The cleaning dredging of the canal and lake system also took place. By the fall of 2012, the houses covered with foil in the winter were converted into greenhouses. At that time, most of the fence around the garden was renovated.

It was handed over in 2011 and was designed on the model of former monastery gardens herb and spice garden. Even this year, the cultivated plant display got a new, inviting look, where those interested can get to know exotic food plants, oil, fiber and dye plants.

In addition to young people, the garden is also open to city dwellers and families. With our events related to important days (Earth Day) we show the diversity of plants and the values inherent in them. Held since 2008 Lotus Days over the years, it has grown into a large-scale, informative and cultural festival that moves thousands of people.

The drinking fountains renovated in 2007, the modern washrooms built in 2011 and the toilet for the disabled helped make the garden more visitor-friendly. The visitors' knowledge acquisition is facilitated by the information boards and games related to the flora displayed at many points of the garden. In 2009, the exhibition of the bird life of the Botanical Garden was built diorama. The first element of the playground arrived in the spring of 2012.

In 2013, the range of attractions was expanded with the renovation of the bird-friendly garden, as well as a butterfly-friendly garden and a beekeeping demonstration. The playground was further expanded. This year also saw the start of the HUF 250 million EU project for the new tropical greenhouse, which was built on the site of the old facility, and the building was ready for installation in February 2014.

Maintenance 1980-1995

For three years after the death of Professor Horváth Pál Simoncsics, then Sándor Gulyás managed the herb garden. That's when it started rose garden renovation, a collection of perennial plants was created. In 1992, Sándor Gulyás had the ornate Székely gate erected at the entrance to the garden.

Development 1965-1979

from 1965 Imre Horváth professor took over the position of director of the garden. He expanded the area of the garden by 10 km. Instead of the usual taxonomical plant presentation in herb gardens, he created plant communities – the first in Hungary. He realized that, in addition to education, the herb garden should also carry out research tasks, and he built a facility suitable for conducting autoecological research. phytotron building. In addition, he expanded the greenhouses with three houses covered with foil in the winter, developed central heating, paved roads and street lighting, and introduced city piped water.

Foundation, creation of the structure of the garden 1922-1964

When the University of Cluj-Napoca moved to Szeged in 1922, the city donated 20 hectares of arable land to the university for the purpose of establishing a herb garden. The establishment with plants is carried out by the founding director, István Győrffy He started in 1925, using material from collecting roads. In 1928, the Ártéz well was established, in 1929-30 a greenhouse for growing plants, and in 1931 the first lake was completed. In the same year, the first seed exchange catalog (Index Seminum) was published. In 1932, the lake of Návay Castle in Óföldeák-Gencshát came to Szeged Indian lotus, which has been a special attraction of the garden ever since. Unfortunately, the Old Földeak stock was destroyed. From 1940, Professor Pál Greguss held the position of director. He is credited with the creation of the didactic collections of the garden at that time (rose garden, rock garden, arboretum, taxonomic collection) and the introduction of Szechuan (southern Chinese) ancient pine. Between 1952-58, he had greenhouses built to display tropical crops.

Scope of activities and significance of the SZTE Botanical Garden

One of the most important activities of the SZTE Botanic Garden includes the care, maintenance, planned expansion, protection, and creation of new collections of our collections (e.g. rose garden, rock garden, taxonomic collection, Japanese garden, greenhouse collections, herb and herb garden, culture collection). Protected plants are our country's national treasures, and preserving their gene pool is our essential task. In 75 % awarded by Kiskunság National Park, as a contributing partner of the LIFE Nature 2006 tender supported by the European Union, we carried out the ex situ conservation, propagation and replanting of the perennial carnation (Dianthus diutinus), which occurs only in Hungary (15,000 plants in the natural ex situ propagation of seeds collected from stocks and replanting in the designated areas), with which we contributed to the stability of the populations. The perennial carnation is native to Hungary, a native plant species, which is a highly protected plant, with a conservation value of HUF 250,000. Its natural habitat is the sandy grasslands between the Danube and the Tisza, but since its populations and number of individuals have decreased significantly nowadays, it has taken a particularly significant step towards the original habitat of the SZTE Botanical Garden in his relocation. Currently, following the search of the Körös - Maros National Park, the collection of seeds of individuals of 32 loess grassland specialist plant species and their ex situ propagation is ongoing, as a result of which we planted 6,900 plants in 5 specified habitat patches in the fall of 2012.

Füvészkert is also important as a university unit, since we help public education in developing an environmentally conscious approach and spreading knowledge with nature studies and extracurricular activities, weekend family programs and occasional exhibitions. In addition to our cross-border or value conservation tasks, we take care of a bird-friendly park with clean air, far from the bustling noise of the city, where we provide pleasant experiences for families, those who want peace, and lovers of cultural events.

In addition to rescuing species condemned to extinction due to various environmental and human factors, the SZTE Botanical Garden also displays and displays rarities from other countries. There are many plant species that are considered rare in their habitat and have significant ideological and conservation value.

GREENHOUSES

COCOA TREE (Theobroma cacao L.)

SILVER ACACIA ( Acacia dealbata Link.)

BEAR'S FEET CACTI (Opuntia sp.)

AMERICAN AGAVE (Agave americana L.)

LIVING FOSSILS

The name living fossil comes from Darwin. These include those organisms that are living today's solitary descendants of species-rich groups that were widespread in the geohistorical past, and whose current distribution area is significantly narrowed compared to the ancient one. Today, only a few dozen species meet these strict conditions, all of which are on the verge of extinction, so they deserve increased attention and protection.

SOUTH CHINA PINE (Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu & Cheng )

WOLLEMI PINE (Wollemia nobilis WG Jones, KD Hill & JM Allen)

MOUNTAIN MAMMOTH PINE (Sequoiadendron giganteum (Lindl.) J.Buchholz.)

CHILE ARAUCÁRIA (Araucaria araucana)

JAPANESE GARDEN AND LOTUS POND

VIRGINIA SWAMP CYPRESS (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.)

INDIAN LOTUS (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)

lotuses (Nelumbonaceae) family

Central Europe's largest open-air lotus stand is located in the lake of the Füvészkert in Szeged.

In 1932, during one of his collecting trips, István Győrffy found the plant in the park of the Návay Castle in Óföldeák. The first herb garden roots came from the lake located there, which were transported to the Herb Garden by horse-drawn carriage. Since its establishment, the plant has been continuously present in the lake, and now it occupies more than half of the lake's water surface.

The first leaves of the plant appear on the surface of the water in May, but it shows its true beauty during July and August. At that time, the lake is covered with a carpet of green leaves and an abundance of pink flowers that stand out from it. Since 2008, we have organized the Lotus Days every year in connection with the peak flowering of the plant. During the two-day event, we promote the Indian lotus, Far Eastern plants and culture.

About the plant:

The leaves of the plant stand high above the surface of the water, are shield-shaped and blue-green in color. Its gorgeous-looking flowers rise above the leaves with their long stalks and are fragrant. Their flowers are pollinated by insects. In addition to the dark pink flowers seen in the pond of the Szeged Botanical Garden, there is also a white version of the plant.

The petals fall off after pollination, and then the growing area with the flower axis becomes charred, becoming similar to the shower rose. The acorns sit one by one in the holes of the shower rose. Lotus seeds are very resistant, retaining their ability to germinate for up to 1000 years.

The plant clings to the soil with its rhizome (underground stem). With the help of this, it can survive the winter, renew itself in the spring and reproduce vegetatively.

The Indian lotus is native to the southern and southeastern regions of Asia's temperate zone. Nowadays, it is widely cultivated in huge water plantations. It is also important as an ornamental food and medicinal plant.

OPEN GROUND COLLECTION

PINE WITH RESIN NEEDLES (Pinus aristata English)

HERBAL AND SPICY GARDEN

ROCK GARDEN

FARM YARD

ROSE GARDEN

DYE, FIBER AND FOOD PLANTS

PARTNERSHIPS

Activities

In recent decades, the activities of herb gardens have expanded significantly, and the structure of collections has changed accordingly. Our most important activities are the following. 

Collection management:

Our basic activity is the care, maintenance, expansion and protection of collections (e.g. rose garden, rock garden, taxonomic collection), and creation of new collections, and the following is based on this.  

Presentation and conservation of biological diversity:

We contribute to the preservation of the gene stock of protected plants, visitors can get to know more than 40 protected species. Protected plants are among the national treasures of our country, we also have plants that live only in Hungary. Among the species of remote regions, we mainly present the economically useful ones (food, industrial and ornamental plants).

 Education-research, dissemination of knowledge:

The herb garden, as a university unit, primarily serves university education and research. However, public education and dissemination of knowledge for the development of an environmentally conscious approach is a very important activity. This is also served by nature studies, extracurricular activities, weekend family programs and occasional exhibitions.

For meaningful leisure time

in addition to the above programs, a walk in the garden with clean air also provides an opportunity. We are working to provide an aesthetic experience primarily by designing the park section, and to present the birds of the garden in dioramas in addition to the beauty of the plants. The more patient visitors can see many of them live, and especially in the spring, the garden is loud with their singing. With our birdhouse and bird feeder demonstration, we encourage our visitors to create bird-friendly gardens in their own environment.

Aniko Németh
director
Phone: +36 70 439 9327
E-mail: nemeth.aniko@szte.hu

CURATORS

Lajos Balogh-Langer
environmental educator, botanist
curator of the Bird-Friendly Garden
Phone: +36 62 442-983; +36 70 439 9322
E-mail: balogh-langer.lajos@szte.hu

Dora Dombi
the curator of the Cactus and Succulent House
Phone: +36 20 544 6363
E-mail: fuveszkert@szte.hu

Black Esther
curator of the Tropical Butterfly Garden
E-mail: fekete.eszter@szte.hu

Tamás Gal
agricultural engineer
curator of the Japanese garden
Phone: +36 30 256 6362
E-mail: gal.tamas@szte.hu

Orsolya Makra
botanist
curator of the Systematic and Cultivated Plants collection
Phone: +36 62 544 109; +36 70 439 9324
E-mail: makra.orsolya@szte.hu

Katalin Rudas
horticultural engineer
curator of the Tropical Greenhouse and the Páfrányház
E-mail: fuveszkert@szte.hu

Dancer Enikő
botanist
the curator of the Rock Garden
Phone: +36 70 439 9325
E-mail: tanczos.eniko@szte.hu

Dr. Márta Zalatnai
botanist
curator of the Medicinal Plant and Spice Garden and the Orchid House
Phone: +36 62 544-109, +36 70 439 9326
E-mail: zalatnai.marta@szte.hu

ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES

Huri Eva
assistant director
Phone: + 36 62 544 110 (4110)
E-mail: huri.eva@szte.hu

Erika Star
program and event organizer
Phone: +36 30 687 2967
E-mail: sztary.erika@szte.hu

Rules of the visit

The Füvészkert is a protected area, you too contribute to the preservation of its values!

we ask that

• throw the waste in the posted garbage bins or in the selective waste bin located at the cash desk
• smoke only in designated areas
• remember that plucked flowers quickly lose their beauty and can even cause the plants to die, so capture the special features of the garden with you
• do not collect leaves or fruits in the protected area
• respect that the Botanical Garden is a place of relaxation for many, so do not disturb other visitors and the animals living in the garden with your behavior and noise
• uses the displayed toys as intended
• in the case of temporary exhibitions, do not touch the exhibits
• do not enter the beds

Dogs are not allowed in the garden area!

It is forbidden to use scooters and bicycles in the garden area!

It is forbidden to light a fire in the garden!

Please note that if you wish to use Füvészkert's collections for advertising and business photography (portfolio, product photography, baby and children photography, etc.), it is possible for a rental fee of HUF 15,000. It is mandatory for those taking part in the photo shoot to exchange an individual ticket!

Thank you for your cooperation!

Our memberships

The Botanical Garden maintains a seed exchange relationship with more than 200 gardens and arboretums.

His seed catalog, Index seminum, was published annually from 1931.

Membership:

Association of Hungarian Arboretums and Botanical Gardens

 Botanic Garden Conservation International

(BGCI)

 Arbeitsgemeinschaft Technischer Leiter Botanischer Garten

• Association of Hungarian Arboretums and Botanical Gardens  
• Botanic Garden Conservation International