Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia, Botanical garden in Kilkis Regional Unit, Greece.
The Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia covers 31 hectares at 600 metres on Mount Mavrovouni, split into 15 hectares of ex situ collections and 16 hectares of oak forest conserved in situ. It is divided into the Garden of the Senses and the main Conservation Area, with 40 plant displays grown from wild-collected material. Terraced beds, low clipped hedges and wooden plank paths with branch railings run across the slope.
The garden was founded in 2001 with support from European development programs and is now part of a government research center. It was created as a project to protect and study the plant diversity of the Balkan peninsula.
The garden's symbol plant is Fritillaria pontica, chosen because wild populations grow on the grounds; it is rare in Greece and protected by Presidential Decree 67/81. Visitors can follow guided thematic paths where plants are grouped by scientific and educational purpose, with signage and maps in Greek and English. The garden also runs a nursery and laboratory at Thermi, near Thessaloniki, where its plants are propagated and studied.
The site is located in a forested area at higher elevation and offers walking paths and picnic areas for rest. With information signs and guided tours available, visitors can easily explore the different plant sections.
The site houses a specialized laboratory for plant propagation as well as a large collection of dried plant material for research. This scientific foundation allows the garden to contribute actively to plant science beyond being a place for visitors.
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