Lotus Blossom Festival Arboretum Ellerhoop

When the Lotus Ponds Turn Pink

The Lotus Blossom Festival at Arboretum Ellerhoop-Thiensen is a botanical highlight of the season. In the late August days, the Arboretum's lotus ponds reach the peak of their bloom — hundreds of pink blossoms of the Indian Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) open above the water, an almost surreal scene in the North German lowlands.

Unique in Germany

What makes Arboretum Ellerhoop botanically unusual: It is the only large-scale open-air cultivation of the Indian Lotus in Germany. Most other botanical gardens display the plant only under glass or in a tropical house. In Ellerhoop, the lotus ponds grow outdoors — a sensation that attracts botanists, gardeners, and nature lovers every year.

Festival Weekend with a Programme

The Lotus Blossom Festival lasts two days and combines the floral splendour with a small festival programme: guided tours of the lotus ponds, lectures on the plant and its significance in Asian culture, culinary offerings, and activities for families. Those who come should allow time — the lotus blossoms are most impressive when they open in the morning.

Arboretum Ellerhoop — Botanical Treasure in Pinneberg

The Arboretum Ellerhoop-Thiensen is located in the Pinneberg district, approx. 30 km northwest of Hamburg. On around 18 hectares, the support association e.V. showcases an unusually diverse plant collection: from the heather garden and peony collection to the famous lotus ponds. With over 100,000 visitors per year, it is one of the most visited gardens in Schleswig-Holstein.

Other Highlights of the Year

The Lotus Blossom Festival is not the Arboretum's only summer highlight:

• Maritime Chanson Concerts (June)
• Herb Workshops in Summer and Autumn
• Photography Courses in the Garden
• Illuminated Garden Walk (October)
• Autumn Festival with Lighting
• Winter Festival in December