Beekeepers' Day at the Botanical Garden Solingen

A Day All About Bees

When the Botanical Garden is in full bloom in midsummer and bees are busy collecting nectar from the flowers, the Botanical Garden Solingen organizes its annual Beekeepers' Day. On Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the garden gates at Vogelsang 2a will open for a day dedicated to one thing: the honeybee and its wild relatives.

Observation Hive Behind Glass

The centerpiece of Beekeepers' Day is the observation hive behind glass: a real beehive where you can observe the inner workings of a bee colony without getting stung. You'll see how the queen moves through the honeycomb labyrinth, how the worker bees produce honey and store pollen, and how the drones live their lives. Beekeepers will be on hand to explain — an ideal opportunity to encounter a science that many people only know from jars of honey.

Honey and Bee Product Sales

Beekeepers from Solingen and the surrounding area will present their products:

• Honey in various varieties (spring, summer, forest, acacia)
• Beeswax candles
• Propolis products for health and cosmetics
• Mead (honey wine) for tasting
• Bee pollen and royal jelly

The beekeepers are happy to offer advice — you can buy directly from the producer at fair prices, with full transparency about the origin.

Wild Bee Trail with the Biological Station Mittlere Wupper

A special feature of Beekeepers' Day is the collaboration with the Biological Station Mittlere Wupper: wild bee experts will offer guided tours on the Botanical Garden's wild bee trail. Wild bees are often unknown — there are over 500 species in Germany alone, and most are solitary specialists. The trail will teach you about nesting aids, food plants, and their ecological importance.

Advice on Bee-Friendly Plants

If you have a garden or balcony: here you'll find advice on bee-friendly plants. Which summer flowers are suitable for honeybees, which perennials are important for wild bees, which plants bloom when? The advisors will take time for individual questions — you can go home with concrete recommendations.

Botanical Garden Solingen — Bergisches Land

The Botanical Garden Solingen is located in the Vogelsang district of Solingen in the Bergisches Land region and is one of the most beautiful small botanical gardens in North Rhine-Westphalia. Unlike the large botanical gardens in Düsseldorf or Bonn, Solingen is run by volunteers — the support association and voluntary helpers maintain the grounds. Its charm lies in its smaller, more intimate beds and a direct connection between plants and visitors.

Free Admission — A High-Quality Family Day

Beekeepers' Day is free of charge. For families with children, it's an ideal opportunity to spend a relaxed Sunday outdoors, visit an observation hive, and learn about the world's most important pollinator. Snacks, coffee, and cake will be available on site.