Mainau: The Flower Island on Lake Constance

Mainau is a small island on Lake Constance in Germany, near the town of Konstanz, known as the flower island. Something is in bloom almost all year: tulips in spring, roses in summer and dahlias in autumn. Here is what to see on Mainau and when to go.

Garden-style flowers: tulips and peony-style roses.

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About the island

The island covers about 45 hectares. The lake gives it a milder climate than the surrounding area, so in summer palms, citrus and other Mediterranean plants are set out in tubs. In the late 19th century the island belonged to the Grand Duke of Baden, who planted the arboretum; it later passed to the Swedish Bernadotte family, under whom Mainau became a famous garden and a popular destination.

What blooms when

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What to see

• Spring beds: hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in April and May.
• The Italian rose garden: hundreds of rose varieties, at their peak in June.
• The dahlia garden: from late summer until the frosts.
• The arboretum, with trees planted in the 19th century, including sequoias; read about giant sequoias in “General Sherman”.
• The butterfly house: a tropical glasshouse with hundreds of butterflies.
• The castle and baroque church on the island.

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Tips for visitors

• Reach the island by footbridge from the mainland or by boat across Lake Constance.
• Time your trip for your favourite flowers: spring for tulips, June for roses, September for dahlias.
• Check current opening hours and prices on the official website before you go.
• Allow at least half a day, ideally a whole day.

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For more flower destinations, see “World flower festivals” and “Flower fields: where to see them”.

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Mainau?

April–May for tulips, June for roses and September for dahlias.

Is the island open in winter?

Yes, it is open all year, though in winter the main displays are in the glasshouses.

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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