Haaga Rhododendron Park

The Haaga Rhododendron Park is a public park containing various varieties of rhododendron, located in the district of Haaga in Helsinki, Finland. Although originally used for breeding and research purposes, the park is now a popular attraction among locals.

The first rhododendrons were planted in 1975 by the University of Helsinki's selective breeding program; this included the construction of a series of wooden walkways, allowing travel by visitors without disturbing the plants. Originally 3000 individual specimens were planted, with the goal of breeding species to adapt to the Finnish climate. The 3000 original specimens had been selectively bred from the Japanese Rhododendron brachycarpum D.Don ex G.Don. Sometimes this taxon is named R. fauriei, but that name was described by Franch. in 1886, while R. brachycarpum dates from 1843. In 1996, the park was expanded to the north with an additional 1500 azalea specimens, also originating from Japan.