The Forestry Research Area in Liliental

The Phenological Garden

In the phenological garden the externally visible development stages of certain plant species through the year are observed and recorded (e.g. blossoming, unfolding of leaves and leaf shedding). The results are evaluated by the Association of International Phenological Gardens, which has created a network of such gardens all over Europe in the last few decades. Since the cultivated plant species in all gardens are genetically identical they can be used as climatic bio-indicators. In this way it is possible to make statements for example about the average length of the vegetation period in a certain region and about the cultivation suitability of particular useful plants in the local area (see map 20).