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National Botanic Garden of Belgium

Belgium - Meise
Institution Code: BR
International Agenda Registrant: Yes
Current BGCI member: Yes
One of our famous visitors: Raoni, chief of the Kayapo and fighter for the protection of the Amazon forest
About the National Botanic Garden of Belgium
The National Botanic Garden of Belgium is one of the largest botanic gardens in the world. The living plant collections contribute to the botanical and horticultural research as well as to the education and conservation activities of the Garden. The greenhouse and outdoor collections together hold nearly 25,300 accessions of living plants (about 17,400 taxa and 3,170 genera) which is about 6% of all known plant species of the world.. Half of them can be seen in our greenhouses (Plant Palace), the other half, comprising cultivated and indigenous plants, grows outdoors.

The Outdoor Collections accommodate about 7,630 taxa from all temperate regions of the world. A major part of them is planted in thematic collections open to the general public. Three systematic collections form the core of these plantings: the Herbetum (herbaceous plants arranged to the systems of Cronquist & Takhtajan), the Fruticetum (woody plants arranged to the system of Dahlgren) and the Coniferetum (gymnosperms arranged by genus). Nearly all hardy or 'half-hardy' genera are represented in these collections.

Another collection type is shown by the genera collections which give a thorough overview of the representatives of species and cultivars in the genera Quercus, Rhododendron, Hydrangea, Acer (Japanese & Chinese), Magnolia. Other developed thematic collections are the medicinal plants garden, the North American forest theme, the Mediterranean plants collection. A lot of collection plants are displayed in shrubberies and mixed borders all over the park. Rare or unusual tree species and cultivars are dispersed over the lawns and play the role of salt and pepper in the landscape dominated by indigenous tree plantations. Other important collections (e.g. Rosa and Paeonia) are occasionally open to the general public.

Well-represented plant families (on the whole outdoor collections) are Pinaceae (43% of extant species of the world), Aceraceae (42%), Betulaceae (39%), Hydrangeaceae (37%), Caprifoliaceae (33%), Cornaceae (31%), Cupressaceae (20%), Berberidaceae (16%), Ranunculaceae (14%) and Rosaceae (13%).

Some trees are really champion trees of Belgium and need special attention or care.

Main Address:
National Botanic Garden of Belgium
Domein van Bouchout
Meise
B-1860 Belgium
Telephone Number: 32 (0)2 260 09 20
Fax Number: 32 (0)2 260 09 45
Web Site: www.botanicgarden.be
Institution Email Address: office@br.fgov.be

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  • Staff Details
    • Director: J. Rammeloo
      Curator: D. Aplin (Indoor Collections), D. De Meyere (Outdoor Collections), T. Vanderborght (Seed Bank)
      Plant Records Officer: D. Aplin, D. De Meyere, V. Leyman, N. Van Belle, T. Vanderborght
    • Total Staff:
      Number of Horticultural Staff: 40
      Number of Educational Staff: 5
      Number of Research Staff: 20
      Number of Administration Staff: 10
  • About this Garden
    • Institution Type: Botanic Garden
    • Status
    • State: Yes
    • Date Founded:
    • Physical Data
    • Natural Vegetation Area (inside BG): Yes
      Size of Area: 20 hectares
    • Landscaped Area: Yes
      Size of Area: 35 hectares
    • Total Area (in Hectares): 92 hectares
      Latitude: 50° 55
      Longitude: 4° 19
      Annual Rainfall: 780 mm
      Altitude: 33.00 metres
      Total Area Under Glass: 2000 metres
    • Local Information
    • Garden Name: Nationale Plantentuin van België / Jardin botanique national de Belgique
    • Address: Domein van Bouchout - Domaine de Bouchout 1860 Meise
    • City:
    • State:
  • Features and Facilities
    • Herbarium: Yes
      Number of Specimens in Herbarium: 32767
      Arboretum: Yes
      Arboretum Size: 35
    • Seed Bank: Yes
      Published Plant Catalogue: Yes
      Computer Plant Record System: Yes
    • Open to the Public: Yes
      Disabled Access: Yes
    • Number of Visitors: 65535
  • Plant Collections
    • Number of Living Plant Accessions: 25300
      Number of Taxa in Cultivation: 17400
    • Special Collections:Medicinal plants, conifers, tropical and subtropical crops, mediterranean plants, Rubiaceae, Cactaceae, bromeliads, palms, cycads, agaves, Gesneriaceae, orchids, Araceae, Begonia, succulents, Magnolia, Quercus, Rhododendron, Acer, Hydrangea, temperate shrubs and trees, perennials, biennials, annuals. Wild Phaseoleae - Phaseolinae. Maintains a seed bank with long-term storage capacity.Wild Phaseoleae - Phaseolinae, Begonia, cycads, Festuca, orchids.
  • Conservation Programmes
    • Ex Situ Conservation Programme: Yes
  • Research Programmes
    • Conservation - Biology: Yes
      Conservation - Genetics: Yes
      Data Management Systems and Information Technology: Yes
      Ecology: Yes
      Education: Yes
      Ethnobotany: Yes
      Exploration: Yes
      Floristics: Yes
      Horticulture: Yes
      Invasive Species Biology and Control: Yes
      Molecular Genetics: Yes
      Systematics and Taxonomy: Yes
      Urban Environments: Yes
  • Education Programmes
    • Education Signs in Garden: Yes
      Education Booklets/Leaflets: Yes
      Guided Tours: Yes
      Permanent Public Displays: Yes
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