Arboretum Kalmthout — Attraction in Kalmthout

The Arboretum Kalmthout is a botanical garden in Kalmthout, Belgium. It was started as a tree plantation by Charles Van Geert in 1856. Van Geert developed a collection of rare plants and trees before selling the property after 40 years to Antoine Kort. Kort added an extensive collection of Hamamelis to the nursery, but was forced to close his business due to the Great Depression of the 1930s. In 1952, the property was purchased by the brothers Georges and Robert de Belder, to save it from being destroyed by a housing development. At the site, the year that they purchased the property, the de Belder brothers founded the International Dendrology Society(IDS) to promote preservation and conservation of rare or endangered woody plants. Robert de Belder and his wife, Jelena de Belder-Kovačič worked together to build an internationally known arboretum, where plant enthusiasts could study and exchange knowledge and information about plants. In 1986 it became property of the Antwerp province and is now...

Heaven for gardeners, but also a wonderful place for anybody who loves flowers, plants, trees, landscaping or just a walk in a park. Great show of things you struggle to grow in your own garden, in grown up version and in varieties you see nowhere else. Great at any time of year, but especially for winter flowers (witch Hazel, snow drops, helebores...) and early to late spring (cherry trees, azaleas, rhododendron, cornus...) and early summer (peonies, Roses...). Great finds of rare plants, books and gardening things at the shop, albeit a bit on...

Lovely arboretum with beautiful flowers to view. A nice place to spend an afternoon walking around smelling the flowers. My daughter liked the butterfly display the best, which shows the life cycle of the butterflies from caterpillars, through chrysalises, on to butterflies. The staff is very friendly. They also have a gift shop and a little cafeteria where you can get some lunch. Their restrooms are clean and free. There is plenty of parking. The entire site is accessible to individuals with...