A garden shows who it belongs to New signs, a blooming Victoria water lily, and many people bringing the Botanical Garden to life

In all its glory. The Victoria water lily left visitors to the Botanical Garden in awe. Photo credits: TU Braunschweig /Klemenz

Some places are such an integral part of a city that it’s easy to forget who they actually belong to. The Botanical Garden in Braunschweig is one such place. Anyone entering it today can see right at the entrance: It is not only one of the most beautiful places in the city, but also a scientific institution of Technische Universität Braunschweig.

Hundreds of guests came on August 5 and 6 to marvel at the giant tropical water lily Victoria cruziana with its island-sized leaves. To everyone’s delight, the impressive plant bloomed beautifully on both evenings.

From left to right: Prof. Hänsch, President Ittel, Prof. Reimers, and Prof. Büssing marvel at the Victoria water lily in its pond at the Botanical Garden of TU Braunschweig. Photo credits: TU Braunschweig /Klemenz

Just in time for the Victoria Nights, the new entrance signs were installed. The new signage was unveiled by TU President Angela Ittel, the chairman of the Friends of the Braunschweig Botanical Garden Association, Professor Ulrich Reimers, and Professor Robert Hänsch, Executive Director of the Institute of Plant Biology and Botanical Garden. The signs were funded by the Friends of the Botanical Garden Association.

“This place is a gift. And so are the people who care for it with such love and dedication. A gift for our university—and for the entire city. I am very proud that the Botanical Garden is part of TU Braunschweig and is being managed and developed with such enthusiasm, vitality, and expertise,” said TU President Angela Ittel.

Prof. Reimers and TU President Ittel in the Botanical Garden’s tropical greenhouse. Photo credits: TU Braunschweig /Klemenz

New signs alone don’t transform a place. But they highlight what’s happening there. A new glass pavilion is being built in the expansion area, the visitor route has been improved, and a new ramp makes the Tropical House accessible to people with disabilities. At the initiative of TU Braunschweig’s GreenOffice, a student workspace has also been set up. Especially during the summer months, the garden also frequently serves as a venue for special events.

The fact that the Victoria Nights turn into a celebration every year is thanks to the collaboration of many people. The Botanical Garden team and the members of the Friends of the Botanical Garden invest many hours of full-time and volunteer work into the organization and also provide the culinary accompaniment for the evenings.

TU President Ittel, Prof. Hänsch, and Prof. Reimers unveil the new signs. Photo credits: TU Braunschweig /Kaiser

The group photo taken under the new entrance sign, featuring President Ittel, Professor Reimers, and Professor Hänsch, is therefore more than just a commemorative snapshot. It symbolizes the collaboration that sustains the garden. The university, the Friends’ Association, and the garden team are working together to further develop it—both as a scientific institution and as a welcoming space for the people of Braunschweig and the surrounding region.