General information: around 1500 taxons
Area: 0.2 ha
In the greenhouse, about 1500 taxa from the tropical and subtropical climate zones have been gathered on an area of 2000 m2. One of the most interesting groups is the largest collection of citrus plants in Poland, which includes 32 taxons of the Citrus genus: lemons, oranges, mandarins, pomelas, limes, grapefruits, calamondins, citrons and mock oranges. These unique plants which bloom and bear fruit simultaneously can be admired throughout the year. Apart from them, the collection consists of other useful plants such as: coffee, tea, fig, olive, banana, pineapple, laurel, bamboo, cotton or cassava. A great attraction for visitors, especially in autumn and winter, is the phenomenally blooming collection of several varieties of Japanese camellias. In summer, bougainvillea leaves in various colours attract insects. Oleanders, hibiscus, brugmansias, brunfelsias, agapanthus and hydrangeas also bloom beautifully. Various epiphytes (orchids, bromeliads, ferns) and climbers – especially from the genera Philodendron, Cissus, Thunbergia, Passiflora – add to the tropical character of the collection. Insectivorous pitcher plants attract insects to a ‘pitcher’ formed at the end of the leaf. The collection of ferns, including particularly valuable and very original tree ferns, forms another numerous group of species. The collection of sagophytes – cycads, encephalartos and diones – is also interesting in appearance. Succulents and cacti make up a large collection in the greenhouse. Among this group of plants, yuccas, agaves, wolfberries, pigmyweeds, ponytail palms, dracaenas and numerous aloes impress with their size. Cacti – including Quinocactus grusonii, species of the genus Echinopsis and prickly pear – are a great attraction, especially when in flower. Pereskia grandiflora is also worth recommending in this collection. It belongs to the cactus family but, unlike other plants of this family, it produces normal leaves. A valuable species in the collection is Wollemia nobilis, which until recently was considered extinct. This relict species, rediscovered in Australia in 1995, has become a botanical sensation.