The “flower island” of Mainau is the life's work of Count Lennart Bernadotte, who passed away in 2004. It is without a doubt one of the major attractions of Lake Constance, steeped in aristocratic tradition and with a magical atmosphere that attracts millions of nature lovers and garden enthusiasts every year.

Perfect harmony in one of Europe's most beautiful parks
In 1931, Count Lennart Bernadotte was given the somewhat overgrown 45-hectare island in Lake Constance by his father and he set about transforming it into a paradise of flowers and plants. Today it is one of the most popular and well-known excursion destinations in Germany. The majestic baroque palace buildings are in perfect harmony with their surroundings, one of Europe's most beautiful parks. Colours, scents and a thousand splendours – there is something new to experience on the island of Mainau every day of the year. Palm trees, oranges and other exotic treasures flourish here. The exotic colours of the flowerbeds bring the park to life between March and October. In the spring there are beds of tulips as far as the eye can see and a beautiful display of orchids in the palm house. Summertime brings wonderful roses, in autumn the dahlias bloom.

There is a tremendous wealth of amazing sights on Mainau island. During the warmer months, the paths to the Arena of Fountains are lined with tropical plants. In spring and summer, the flowers on the steps of the Italian flower and water staircase create magnificent designs. The fragrance, beauty and elegance of more than 20,000 roses from 1,200 different species make the rose garden an enchanting, sensory experience. The herb garden presents a wide range of well-labelled medicinal and cooking herbs and spices, and the impressive arboretum completes the island's fascinating park. Germany's largest butterfly house is also well worth a visit, as is the farm with its ponies, donkeys and rare breeds of farm animals, such as brown mountain sheep, and a farmer's garden.
» www.mainau.de

A selection of other botany museums and parks in Germany.