In January, enjoy the sweeping views of Lake Constance and the snow-covered Alps looming on the horizon. You may already discover the first winter-flowering shrubs, which now adorn themselves with fragrant blossoms in the cold season.
A visit to our tropical butterfly house is a special experience right now and highly recommended. Because here in the exotic world of butterflies, it's summer every day! You might even catch sight of the Atlas butterfly with a wingspan of up to 30 centimetres.
Please note: flowering times are approximate and depend on the weather
The information on flowering times is merely indicative, as it depends on weather conditions and annual fluctuations. The pictures shown give an impression of last year's flowering periods. We recommend that you enquire about the current flowering status before your visit to Mainau. You are welcome to contact us at info@mainau.de
Mahonia(Mahonia) is an attractive evergreen plant with bright yellow flowers and spiky leaves. The barberry plant blooms from January to April and brings color to the winter grey.
Acer conspicuum 'Red Flamingo' is an eye-catching ornamental maple with a spectacular play of colors. Its striking red bark is a delight on cold winter days.
The decorative bark of various trees, such as the common plane tree(Platanus x hispanica), is particularly effective in January.
Hamamelis, also known as witch hazel, is a fascinating shrub with bright, fragrant flowers. The yellow, orange or red flowers are a welcome splash of color in the riverside garden on the wintry island of Mainau.
The Chinese winter flower(Chimonanthus praecox) is an enchanting winter bloomer with an intense scent of vanilla and violets. The cup-shaped flowers are cream-colored and have a burgundy-colored flower center.
Although it will still be a while before the rhododendrons start to bloom, the buds are already visible in January. Now it's time to wait patiently until the flowering dream unfolds at the beginning of May and the rhododendrons transform the riverside garden on Mainau Island into a colorful sea.
The stinking hellebore(Helleborus foetidus) is a unique winter beauty with its dark green leaves and drooping flowers in delicate shades of green. This decorative perennial belongs to the buttercup family.
The woolly fruiting stems of the Chinese reed (Miscanthus sinensis) shine in beige and silver when the winter sun is low. The ornamental grass forms an elegant silhouette in the perennial garden and adds structure and beauty to the winter park.
Strelitzia reginae, also known as the bird of paradise flower, is a fascinating plant with exotic-looking flowers. The bright orange petals and the bright blue of the corolla are reminiscent of the magnificent bird after which it is named. With its striking appearance, the bird of paradise flower is the dazzling star of the palm house.
Our favorite places in January
More than 20 different types of palm trees can be admired here, including a Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) that is over 15 meters high.
The architectural centrepiece is Mainau Castle, the castle of the Teutonic Order. It was built between 1739 and 1746 according to the plans of Johann Caspar Bagnato.