The Green time machine, a new Evolution garden
The new Evolution garden in the Utrecht University Botanic Gardens is unique. Here you will take a green time travel from the first plants, the algae, all the way to the flowering plants. Walk through 900 million years of plant evolution firsthand and discover how and when certain plants evolved and what significance it had for life on Earth.
The Evolution garden is the scientific heart of Utrecht University Botanic Gardens and tells the story of the evolutionary relationships of the plant kingdom, going back hundreds of millions of years
In June 2025 the Evolution garden will be officially opened. All paths and other infrastructure is ready. The new Evolutiongarden will be further planted and is open to visitors, but sometimes inaccessible because of works.
The green time machine
Between boulders, water features and visually appealingly placed plantings, you will experience plant evolution based on the latest scientific findings. The starting point of the route through the Evolution garden is marked by a wooden shelter overgrown with sedum.
The new Evolution garden is based on an innovative design that visualises that evolution never stops as long as there is life. The processes of new species evolution and extinction always continue. In The green time machine, you walk from the beginning of plant evolution to today's wealth and diversity of flowering plants. During that walk, you bridge roughly 900 million years of plant evolution! The concept of the Evolution garden was developed by landscape architects from Hemelse Natuur in collaboration with Utrecht University Botanic gardens and converted into an attractive garden for everyone.
With this new garden we effectively reach two goals: The green time machine covers the lated scientific insights on plant evolution and is very public friendly. Visitors here can enjoy a beautiful garden while discovering all about the evolution of the plant kingdom
Why a new Evolution garden?
Our former Evolution garden has always been primarily a teaching garden where Biology students studied and learned about the relationships between plants. This old so-called System garden dates back to 1988/89 and was based on the views of the American botanist Cronquist. He determined the evolutionary relationships of plants mainly using secondary plant substances. These are substances produced by the plant itself, but play no role in primary metabolism. Nowadays, we know that DNA research has proven that Cronquist's classification is incorrect in many respects. Reason to develop a new Evolution garden.
To celebrate 385 years of science in Utrecht, a floating sustainable work of art arose in Utrecht's Catharijnesingel in 2021. This artwork now marks the starting point of the Evolution garden.
Contribute to biodiversity research
Many animal and plant species are losing their natural habitat or disappear altogether due to the effects of climate change. The consequences of this loss of biodiversity are enormous. It is therefore not only important that society knows this, but also that there is a greater appreciation of biodiversity and the process that led to this: evolution. In the new Evolution garden our scientists will study the development of plants and biodiversity. Your donation will contribute to the coming about of the Evolution garden.