Welcome to the colourful world of the Rhododendron! Every year between April and July, this evergreen bush develops its stunning multicoloured splendour everywhere in the Ammerland!
Its name originates from the Greek and means something like "rose tree", which does not describe its appearance at all badly. Others call this plant "Alpine rose", which refers to its origin in the Alps. There are indeed certain small-growing varieties there, but the Rhododendron that we know and love here in Ammerland comes from overseas. In the 18th century, English seafarers brought exotic varieties from East Asia to Europe, where they soon became popular garden plants.

However, the "Ammerland Alpine Rose", now one of the most important assets of the local tree nurseries, originates right here, in the palace park of Rastede!

In 1784, the dukes of Oldenburg had a landscape garden laid out around the castle in the English style. As ordered, the palace gardener Carl Ferdinand Bosse began to look for appropriate planting, which also consisted of Rhododendrons. Because of the favourable soil and climatic conditions, the plants thrived excellently. Eventually, a mighty Rhododendron hedge with a length of 280 metres stretched across the Grand Duke's property. What a magnificence! It made a natural impression, and soon the alpine rose began its triumphal procession throughout Rastede. But not only the local nurseries recognised the potential of this plant. Rhododendron cultivation in neighbouring towns soon led to an economic "bloom". In the meantime, nurseries in the entire Ammerland region carry up to 1000 varieties in a wide variety of shapes and colours. Nowhere else can you find such a selection and variety as here.