BEZRUČ GARDENS, BOTANICAL GARDENS AND ROSARIUM

The park Bezruč Gardens was established at the turn of the 20th century (1898) at the time of over-all park redevelopment. The park was officially opened in 1902 under the name Michalsky Vypad, but since 1947 it has been known as Bezruč Gardens. These gardens are connected to the historic center of the city. Local landscape elements were incorporated into the design of the garden (rocks, city walls, and a branch of the Morava River).

The river serves as a border for the enclosed areas of the botanical gardens. The tree line is composed mainly of indigenous deciduous trees: linden, ash, maple, and beech. The paths are predominantly lined with horse chestnut trees. A related red-blossomed specie, North American Aesculus x carnea, as well as a pink-blossomed hybrid can be found in the eastern part of the park. A charming valley of rhododendrons adds to the park’s beauty. Native ivy-leaved toadflax, Cymbalaria muralis grows on the rocks; it is remarkable for its lovely blossoms and unique seed dispersal. Shiny yellow blooms of West European yellow corydalis, Pseudoumaria lutea spread across the walls and rocks through the whole summer.

Spring forest flowers are a natural display of significant indigenous species, to be seen on the left bank of the Mill Stream. In spring there is a spectacular blooming display of snowdrops, (Galanthus nivalis), snowflakes, (Leucojum vernum), Scilla kladni, hollow larkspur, (Corydalis cava), fumewort, (Corydalis solida), wood anemone, (Anemonoides nemorosa) and Ranunculoides. Haoquetia epipactis, Dentaria glandulosa, and Dentaria bulbifera are Carpathian natives, with their most western natural occurrence in the Kingdom Woods near the village of Grygov. Other species to be found here are Isopyrum thalictroides, Galeobdolon luteum, Pulmonaria officinalis, Allium ursinum, Arum alpinum, subspecies Besseranum, Polygonatum multiflorum, and Lillium martagon.

The alpine garden is a display established on the terrace of the fort rampart in 1979. The most dominating features are ground conifers; of significant interest are Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus “Pumila”), Dwarf Japanese White Pine, (Pinus parviflora “Adcocks Dwarf”), Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata), with interesting snow-like resin accumulation on its needles. This specie, in its native setting in the American Rocky Mountains, is the oldest tree in the world, reaching an age of four thousand years. Another interesting specimen is Siberian Cypress (Microbiota decussate) from the Far East; discovered in 1921, it was spread through the world of landscape architecture by Czech specialists. North American tsugas are represented by ground forms (Tsuga Canadensis “Prostrata” and T.c. “Horsford”. Low forms of cedar (Cedrus libani “Sargentii”), growing on the opposite slope and protected by winter sun, are considered rarities. The alpine garden comes to life in the spring with blossoms of crocus, Iridiodectium, Scillas, Fritillaria, Pulsatilla, Saxifraga, as well as tulips and daffodils. These are later replaced by Phlox subulata, stoloniferum, Gentiana, Veronica, Linaria, Primula, and edelweiss, the various species of which bloom gradually until the late fall. Together with Colchicum they are the final flowers of the year.

The Crown Fort is an enclosed section of the botanical gardens connected to Bezruč Gardens. A new park with specialized displays was created here starting in 1967. The unifying element is a mainly coniferous tree line. A delightful panoramic view of the town’s historic monuments was created by allowing public access to the ramparts of the fort, which dates to the days of Empress Maria Theresa.

The Rosarium is a non-traditional, 3.5 hectare rose garden created in 1970-1972.
Approximately 15,000 bushes of more than 300 local and foreign varieties are planted in strictly geometrical beds. In addition to large-blossomed varieties visitors can also find a wide range of colored, climbing, and heirloom roses. Mature trees and bushes create an architectural background for the flowers. The most significant exotic species include Phellodendrum amurense, tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), and Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi).

The Garden of Nations and Corporate Gardens were planted in the 1970’s, and expanded yearly in conjunction with the horticultural exhibitions. However, their landscape design was considered outdated, and they have undergone significant reconstruction with the aim of integrating them into the total design of the botanical gardens. Many botanical curiosities can be found here, including the national tree of Georgia, Caucasian Elm (Zelkova carpinifolia), with its so-called “iron wood”. Nearby is a broad Celtis caucasia, Helleborus abchasicus and H. caucasicus, yellow-blossomed Epimedium colchicum, peonies (Paeonia mlokosewitshii), Geranium psilosteum, and an interesting, frost-resistant, Dioscorea caucasica; often neglected by garden designers, this plant’s beautiful garlands of coin-shaped fruit can be seen shining in the late-summer light. Among the most interesting specimens is a collection of evergreen holly (Ilex) with its tenacious, spiked, dark-green leaves and contrasting red berries.

Park History
1898 The city begins park construction on former military grounds
1902 Park opens under the original name of Michalsky Vypad. Park changes name several times: 1905 – Friedrich Schiller Gardens, 1933 – Miroslav Tyrs Garden, 1939 – once again Michalsky Vypad, 1947 – Bezruč Gardens.
1908 Jacob’s Mill incorporated into park property
1926 Construction of mausoleum with ossuary
1942 Former Nietszche boiler shop incorporated
1947 Monument to Peter Bezruč unveiled. Designed by Dolezel, Lenhart, and Horinek
1949 Seminary gardens incorporated
1965 First use of gardens as exhibition grounds. Giant waterfall, Pavillion D built
1967 First use of Crown Fort as exhibition grounds
1972 Rosarium opens on June 25
1973 Rhododendron valley created
1975 Georgian Garden established
1977 Latvian Garden and Iridarium open
1979 Iridarium relocated to Smetana Gardens. Crimean Garden, Garden of Flora Olomouc, Lotose, and Litomyl established
1980 Velke Opatovice Agricultural Cooperative Garden opens. September 30 – Dedication of Flora Olomouc Botanical Gardens; includes gardens of Czechoslovak horticulture firms, Rosarium, alpine garden, collection conservatories, and other interesting features of Smetana Gardens such as the pine gardens
1981 Ukrainian Garden and Bulgarian Garden open. Additional gardens by state schools and national firms open.
1996 Rosarium reconstruction completed, updated with new species
1997 Floods damage Bezruč Gardens, reconstruction begins

Visiting Hours
April 1 to September 30 9.30 – 18.00

Admission fees
Children under 6 free
Discount - children (6 - 15 years), students, military, senior citizens 15,- Kč
Adults 20,- Kč
6 months pass 100,- Kč