Excursion Tips for Flower FansSpring Magic in Baden-Württemberg: Our Blossom Countdown

Winter is on the wane! As temperatures rise and the days lengthen, blossom and flowers are a sure sign that spring is just around the corner. We all love the sight of millions of delicate petals, along with the first warm rays of sunshine. Spring is a very special season – a time of renewal for the whole of the natural world. With its huge variety of trees and shrubs, flowers and mild climate, Southwest Germany is especially pretty at this time of year.

Take Mainau Island on Lake Constance. With a near-Mediterranean microclimate, the island is known for flowers. In spring, it is, quite simply, spectacular. Add in views of the Alps across the water, paths for strolling and cafés for meals or coffee and cake, and this is a perfect spot to enjoy nature and recharge the batteries.

But, Southwest Germany, the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg, offers even more special places to visit. Each is like a unique bouquet of spring flowers. Here are some of our favourites. Please note: Since Mother Nature follows her own schedule, the arrival of the blossom varies from year to year.

In the southern Black Forest, Freiburg is the hub of Germany’s warmest region. Here, the flowering season echoes the Mediterranean. In what is nicknamed the Naturgarten Kaiserstuhl, the Kaiserstuhl Natural Garden, almond trees burst into flower as early as the middle of February. Imagine a swathe of white and delicate pink blossom! A great place to enjoy this glorious free spectacle is in and around the small communities of Ihringen, Achkarren and Oberrotweil, near Breisach.

Stuttgart boasts the largest magnolia grove in Europe north of the Alps. Find it in what is known as the Moorish Garden at the Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Gardens. When the 70 or so trees are in full bloom, the garden is awash with colour, from pure white and soft pink to crimson. There are even a dozen magnolias that were planted in the 1840s, when King Wilhelm I of Württemberg opened this unique zoo and gardens. Check out the Wilhelma’s webcam to see when the gardens are at their peak.

Lake Constance is famous for its Mediterranean-like microclimate. And the mild weather of springtime is perfect for exploring one of Europe's largest fruit-growing regions. The best way to enjoy the blossom, as well as magnificent views of the water and mountains, is by hiking or biking on the scenic trails around Lake Constance.
In spring, blossom is everywhere across the Lake Constance region. It usually starts in early to mid-April, with cherries, followed by plums, apricots and, in a crescendo of colour, pears and apples.
One of the best paths to follow is the 8-km / 5-mile Panorama-Blütenweg, the Panorama Blossom Path, which offers breathtaking views across Lake Constance. Running along the hillside between Sipplingen and Ludwigshafen, this circular trail is lined with orchards and wildflower-strewn meadows.