HumanNature

Vom Ziergarten zum Zukunftsgarten: Vielseitige Biodiversität vor der Haustür schaffen

Private gardens, allotment gardens, and public display gardens such as the Palmengarten play a key role in urban biodiversity. At the same time, they exist in a delicate balance between aesthetic expectations and visual habits, practical uses, and ecological requirements.

This lecture will show how gardens can be designed to be species-rich, climate-adapted, and simultaneously attractive. Drawing on experiences from the Palmengarten Frankfurt, it will present plant selection, maintenance concepts, and design principles that benefit insects, birds, and other organisms. Topics such as native versus non-native species, drought resilience, and seasonal dynamics are discussed alongside communication, education, and outreach aspects. The “garden of the future” is understood as a space for learning and experimentation, where new forms of gardening can be tested. The lecture makes it clear that even small areas can make a significant contribution—to urban nature, to the microclimate, and to everyday understanding of ecological relationships.

Adress: Robert-Mayer-Straße 2, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, green lecture hall

Participation is free of charge. The lecture will be held in German. Online participation is also possible via Zoom:

Participation link:

Meeting ID: 619 5136 5165

Access code: 008950

Botanist Hilke Steinecke has been a curator at the Frankfurt Palmengarten since 1995. She is responsible not only for the plant collections but also for communicating, through a variety of formats, not only the diversity of the garden itself but also the broader significance and potential of gardens for biodiversity and climate adaptation.