Rhododendron Grove in the Heidelberg City Forest

Rhododendrons in the middle of the forest are rare and that’s exactly why this spot in Heidelberg’s city forest feels so special. As soon as the evergreen shrubs bloom, they glow in shades of yellow, pink, and white, giving the forest an almost exotic touch for a few weeks each year.

The garden traces its origins to ideas from the early 20th century, when Heidelberg sought to make its city forest more attractive with scenic vistas and unusual trees and shrubs. The rhododendrons originally arrived as small plants from Japan; today, they are mighty bushes that flourish year after year.

The most impressive time to visit is during the blooming season, when the grove displays its full spectrum of colours. In Heidelberg, the period from May to June is considered particularly spectacular, because many shrubs bloom at the same time, transforming the forest.