Botanical whispers fill the air here at Fondovaya oranzhereya. These whispers tell tales of exotic plants far from Moscow’s familiar climate. We are standing before a remarkable place. It’s a living museum of tropical and subtropical flora. Welcome to the enchanting world of Fondovaya oranzhereya.
Fondovaya oranzhereya consists of two main complexes. These are the Staraya oranzhereya and Novaya oranzhereya. They stand as a testament to botanical science. They offer Muscovites a unique escape. It is an escape into lush greenery. The location is in the heart of their capital.
The Fondovaya oranzhereya founded in the 1950s. It comprises 19 distinct departments. Five of these are dedicated to separate expositions. The remaining fourteen hold diverse plant collections. Tropical and subtropical species dominate. They make up around 40% of the collection. Palms and lianas abound. Evergreen plants thrive here too. These botanical treasures delight visitors during each tour.
Staraya Fondovaya oranzhereya has a rich history. It has been a fixture in the Main Botanical Garden since 1945. It houses over 7,000 taxa from warm regions worldwide. Since 1953, it has been open year-round. People come to explore its tropical and subtropical displays. Unfortunately, the Novaya Fondovaya oranzhereya is currently closed. It is for scientific research purposes. Still, its impressive glass structure can be viewed. It can be viewed from the road leading to the Staraya oranzhereya.
Staraya Fondovaya oranzhereya welcomes visitors daily. A self-guided tour costs 300 rubles. For specialized excursions, prior arrangement is necessary. Contact information can be found on the website.
The collections within Fondovaya oranzhereya are truly impressive. They include plants acquired from Germany between 1945 and 1949. These acquisitions were made with the help of botanical garden staff. They were part of a mobile botanical group from the USSR Academy of Sciences. The group was led by P.A. Baranov. It operated from October 1945 to August 1949. Over 15,000 plants passed through their hands.
Today, the collections in both the Staraya and Novaya Fondovaya oranzhereya. They house around 40% of the Main Botanical Garden’s collections. They boast over 7,000 taxa. These are represented by approximately 25,000 specimens.
Fondovaya oranzhereya is more than just a greenhouse. It serves as a vital genetic resource. It is for clonal propagation and transgenic technologies. It remains a base for botanical research. Several new plant species have been described. These descriptions are based on collections from Fondovaya oranzhereya.
Whether it’s the verdant foliage or the vibrant blooms. Whether it is the feel of the humid air or the echoes of scientific discovery. The Fondovaya oranzhereya offers a unique and memorable experience. As you leave, carry with you a sense of wonder. Carry too an appreciation for the botanical diversity. It thrives in this unexpected corner of Moscow.