Botania - World of Plants and Tropical Butterflies

Botanic Garden of the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus

The botanic garden was first established in 1955 and it moved to its present location in 1985. The main task of the botanic garden is to support the education and research of biology and forestry. However, Botania is a great experience to the general public, too. From April to August (or even to December) it is acting as a Tropical Butterfly Garden.

Almost all plants have been grown from seeds that we exchange with other botanic gardens, research institutes and seed banks all over the world. Botania maintains exchange contacts with about 600 institutions in about 100 countries, altogether. The planting year of the plants can be found on the metal panels, which are fastened to the plants.

The five rooms of the collection greenhouse (570 m²) try to imitate five major climatic areas:

• tropical room
• sub-tropical summer-rain room
• sub-tropical winter-rain room
• temperate room (in winter) = tropical butterfly room (in summer)
• desert room

In the greenhouses we have about 700 species growing. In addition there is a (too) small greenhouse (180 m²) for propagation and research purposes and two small plastic ones for summer use only.

The length of the day in winter is 12 hours in our tropical and summer-rain rooms and 9 hours in the others. The earth temperature is kept even, at the level of 20 to 24 °C, so that the roots keep on good condition. It means that the air temperature to be lowered during the "arctic" winter, when artificial light is insufficient support high growth. The plants are resting, and a lot of energy will be saved. Temperature in winter (in summer): 20 °C (24 to 26 °C) in tropical room, 12 to 14 °C (20 to 22 °C) in summer-rain and succulent rooms, and 8 to 10 °C (20 to 22 °C) in winter-rain and temperate rooms.

A talking triton sulphur-crested cockatoo called Juuso lives in the tropical room. Tropical butterflies fly free in the room of temperate climate from April till the end of September. They have been imported halfmonthly as pupae from a butterfly farm in England, and the adults hatch here. Fermented fruits and honey water serve as food for them. Butterflies also reproduce in Botania, and you can admire their flight even in December.

The open garden around the greenhouses is about three hectares, and consists of five divisions:

• Corns, roots, vegetables, berries and fruits: 130 species.
• Aromatic herbs, spices: 120 species.
• Poisonous plants: 50 species.
• Medicinal plants: 40 species.
• Decorative plants: 300 species.
• Two of the three hills are originally for small trees, bushes and mountain plants from Europe, Asia and North America: about 200 species. However, in lack of labour, these hills have been left to grow naturally.
• The third hill is for plants of North Karelia, our biogeographical province: 300 species (700 species expected but never reached). Also this area has now been left without care.

In co-operation with the city of Joensuu we have the University Arboretum of 73 hectares. There grows 250 species naturally, and 280 woody species will be planted in three periods until 2140.

Opening hours, entrance fees, and contact information