The Arboretum of George Mendel University was built in the Moravian capital Brno 45 years ago. It is actually a Botanic Garden on a large slope. There are some unusual parts designed for growing high quality alpines. From the natural karst meadow with our local Adonis vernalis and Pulsatilla grandis population we can go to a long canyon dug in the slope with its walls built as a crevice garden. There are northern and southern aspects with different planting and perfect cool microclimate. The small desirable Rhododendron camschatcense is planted here in the crevices of vertical granite pavement. Many saxatile rock garden plants are making large cushions in this great experimental work. The next area is dedicated to the genus Saxifraga. Botanical species and the garden hybrids are growing in the soft travertine boulders placed at the north faced bridges watered from the bottom. Interesting is an alpine house filled with tufa blocks planted with frost sensitive plants such as Verbascum x ´Letitia´. One corner of this garden has the original design of tufa walls standing for both sunny and shady exposure of the columns of soft travertine stones watered from the top part. Ramonda nathaliae and Jancaea heldreichii are happy at this progressive growing method. Many rare shrubs and trees are planted at this slope with great space and the vista.
