Kalsnava Arboretum closes out its hydrangea bloom celebrations

The Kalsnava arboretum, owned by Latvia's State Forests (LVM), turns into a hydrangea showcase every August and September, and this week marks the closing stretch of its bloom festival. A concert by Juris Kaukulis is planned in the garden on September 6.

According to environmental project specialist Gatis Teilis, what sets the arboretum apart from other Latvian gardens with hydrangea collections is its scientifically grounded approach, focused on diversity and rarer varieties. More than 140 hydrangea varieties are currently on display, including panicle, bigleaf, tree-form, and the less common oakleaf hydrangeas. Each plant is labeled with its name and a description of its traits and origin, letting visitors decide whether they'd like a similar plant in their own garden.

Collection growing since 2019

The arboretum deliberately began building its hydrangea collection in 2019, and new varieties are added every year. The shrubs bloom from early July or August through the end of September, are low-maintenance and resistant to disease. Their flower color shifts through the blooming season, ranging from pink shades to white, creamy or greenish tones, which is why the arboretum is worth visiting more than once per season. Shrub height varies from low plants to as tall as three meters.

Special train service

On September 6, a special train will run from Riga to Kalsnava with 60 participants already registered, and anyone interested is welcome to join. The train departs Riga at 8:31 and arrives at Jaunkalsnava station around 10:30, after which participants walk roughly two and a half kilometers to the arboretum. The day includes a picnic in the garden, viewing the hydrangeas and the concert, with the train returning to Riga around 18:30.

Teilis notes that a similar train trip was organized in June during the peony bloom, while now the focus is on hydrangeas and vines that have taken on autumn colors. The arboretum still has the last hydrangea plants available for purchase, along with other ornamental shrubs.