The Botanical Garden of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University is Ukraine’s smallest and one of its oldest: just 3.5 hectares, founded in 1877 under Austrian rule. It has Ukraine’s oldest bald cypress, a dawn redwood, ginkgo and around twenty magnolias. Here is its history, what to see, what blooms when, how to join a tour, where the garden is and which shots are worth taking.
More on this topic: botanical gardens of Ukraine, Lviv Botanical Garden, tulips, Kharkiv Botanical Garden.
The garden opened in September 1877, when the head of the provincial government, Julius von Watzl, planted the first tree. Karl Bauer designed it and botanist Eduard Tangl was its first director. It lies in the city centre at 11 Fedkovycha Street and has been a protected site of national importance since 1992.
Despite its size, the collections are rich: over 100 tulip varieties, about 70 daffodil species, 70 iris varieties, around 60 chrysanthemum species and 145 cacti. Trees include Ukraine’s oldest bald cypress, ginkgo and the dawn redwood, thought extinct until 1944. A glasshouse built about 150 years ago holds hundreds of tropical plants; the second, from 1974, needs repairs, so glasshouse tours may not run.
Magnolia bloom is the main reason for spring tours. The garden has about twenty cultivars, some trees over 80 years old, including:
Dahurian rhododendrons, sakura, daffodils and tulips bloom at the same time, making an April tour the brightest of the year.
The calendar is approximate — dates depend on the weather each year.
Under martial law the garden admits visitors only in guided groups led by its own guides. Conditions for the 2026 season:
Other gardens in Ukraine are covered in botanical gardens of Ukraine.
Chernivtsi media reports about the university garden most often mention:
The main tip is to book a tour early, especially in magnolia season.
What to photograph through the seasons:
About 3,500 plant species grow on just 3.5 hectares, and some trees date back to Austrian times:
Tours are led by garden staff — not just a walk but a story of the garden since 1877 and of each plant along the way. Groups usually pass the old magnolias, bald cypress and dawn redwood, see the tulip, daffodil and iris collections. During magnolia season there are special themed tours with a botanist.
The garden is small and cosy, so tours are short and easy to follow with a walk through historic Chernivtsi. Phone photos are fine; professional shoots need separate arrangement.
Tulips, daffodils or roses can be given without a garden visit: flower delivery in Chernivtsi, for family and friends in the city.
See roses and flowers in a box.
In the city centre, 11 Fedkovycha Street.
In April and early May.
On guided tours on set weekdays; schedule and prices are on the university website.
In 2026, 80 UAH for adults and 40 UAH for pupils and students; groups of 8–30.
Tours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00, mid-April to early winter; book at +380 95 568 90 25.
In 2026 glasshouse tours are paused for renovation; small photo shoots by arrangement.
Under martial law, only as part of a tour group. If there are fewer than 8 of you, ask to join another group when booking.
Roughly April to early May depending on the spring; follow the garden’s announcements and book early — magnolia-season groups fill quickly.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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