Späth'er Frühling – Garden Market and Spring Festival

Späth'sche Baumschulen – Germany's oldest commercial nursery

The Späth'sche Baumschulen in Berlin-Baumschulenweg are among the oldest and most renowned commercial nurseries in Germany. Founded as early as the 17th century in Köpenick and on their current site since the 19th century, they have shaped the district named after them – «Baumschulenweg» literally means «way to the nursery». On the spacious historic grounds, with mature trees, traditional show greenhouses and model gardens, seasonal festivals are still held today – Späth'er Frühling in May is their first major event of the year.

Around 100 exhibitors in a spring format

Around 100 exhibitors are announced for the 2026 spring festival: nurseries and garden centres, craftspeople, regional garden product suppliers, booksellers with gardening literature, seasonal kitchens and food stalls. The plant offer focuses on the stars of the Berlin spring: rhododendrons, narcissi, hyacinths and over 300 tulip varieties in every colour.

Stage programme, theatre and Botanik-Battle

On both days, the main stage runs a music programme – jazz and swing/funk ensembles, brass formations, choirs, rock. The official opening takes place on Saturday at 12:45 p.m., featuring the introduction of the nursery's new leadership team and city representatives. A highlight for hobby gardeners: the «Botanik-Battle» – a moderated plant identification contest – takes place daily from 2 to 3 p.m., hosted by poet Theo Theodor, who shares anecdotes between rounds.

Also on offer: moderated garden talks on sustainable watering, fruit tree pruning and ecological gardening, carriage rides with horse-drawn Kremser wagons across the historic grounds, demonstrations of pruning techniques and fairy-tale performances by the Monbijou-Theater for families. New for 2026: an «art meadow» with botanical watercolour painting and crafts, and a «Späth Library» in a converted construction trailer featuring historic company catalogues and gardening literature. The «Weltacker Berlin» offers guided tours on sustainability in agriculture.

Food and family area

Several stands offer seasonal specialities: asparagus, spring salads, cakes and coffee, street food. For children there is face painting, botanical watercolour courses, crafts activities and performances by the children's storyteller Ellen Luckas.

Garden culture in the federal state of Berlin

The Späth'er Frühling is more than a market: it is one of the largest garden-culture events in the Treptow-Köpenick borough and the federal state of Berlin. In 2026 the event will also serve as the stage for a campaign against planned development of parts of the nursery grounds – the Späth site is meant to be preserved as a historic green area in Berlin.