The late bloom
Colour when Europe's gardens have finished.
Dguendel — CC BY 3.0 · Dguendel — CC BY 3.0 · Dguendel — CC BY 3.0 · Dguendel — CC BY 3.0
The Dahlia Garden is a space devoted to a single plant genus, at the southern end of the Lichtentaler Allee near Lichtental Abbey. It holds hundreds of plants across dozens of different dahlia varieties, set out in ordered geometric beds separated by grass paths. Timing is everything here: the dahlia is a late-flowering plant, so the garden stays quiet and green for most of the year and then bursts into colour from late July until the first frost in October — red, orange, yellow and purple at a time when most European gardens have finished their season. Visiting in May means seeing green leaves and little else. The garden was originally laid out in 1927 and later revived, and it forms part of the chain of gardens making up the Lichtentaler Allee — so it can be reached on foot from the town centre in about twenty minutes along the river. Entry is always free.
Colour when Europe's gardens have finished.
Twenty minutes' walk from the centre.
Lichtentaler Allee, 76530 Baden-Baden
GönneranlageOn the Oos bank at Lichtentaler Allee's midpoint opens the Gönneranlage: an Art 9 minutes walk4.6
Baden-Baden City MuseumThe Baden-Baden City Museum tells the town's story from the Roman baths to its n13 minutes walk4.5
The Empress Augusta MonumentA monument to Empress Augusta, wife of Emperor Wilhelm I, in central Baden-Baden15 minutes walk4.4
Baden-Baden ArboretumThe Baden-Baden Arboretum is a collection of rare and native trees planted along15 minutes walk4.5
Museum Frieder BurdaThe Museum Frieder Burda is a small, elegant white building on Lichtentaler Alle16 minutes walk4.6September is the optimal month without competition — flowering is at full peak with most varieties open together. Late August is also good, and early October is possible unless an early frost arrives and finishes the flowers in a single night. From May to July, expect no more than green foliage and closed buds.