The Koenigliche Gartenakademie or Royal Garden Academy in Berlin is the product of a dream and a lot of handwork against many odds of its award-winning founders, Gabriella Pape and plant doctor Isabelle Van Groeningen. I learned about the Royal Garden Academy when we visited for a talk and tea with the my Antiques, Gardens and Palaces group in the Willkommen in Berlin Club. I was about to give up on my little balcony garden that was dying because of aphids. Because of the talk of Isabelle Van Groeningen I was inspired to give my balcony garden another go and it’s been flourishing ever since.

Shopping at Mohn und Mehr

Shopping for plants, flowers and herbs is such a pleasure Koenigliche Gartenakademie. Their shop, Mohn und Mehr at offers good, reliable “evergreens” and the newest breeds. Each season, you will find only the most beautiful full blooms, the best perennials and annuals, the most unusual, and hardiest balcony plants.

What makes shopping here different from any other experience I’ve had is you have the expert plant doctor to talk to and give you wonderful advice. She speaks English and when I told her about why I was about to give up on my Garden and my black thumb, she not only gave me simple and easy to understand solutions to my problems, but also chose plants that were according to my taste and that were best suited to minimize the effects of the problem conditions in my balcony. Each balcony and garden is different so it’s important to know this before choosing your plants. These are the plants she recommended and the order that she recommended.

Once I knew the plants that were suitable, it was easy enough to find at cheaper prices in other flower shops. One thing I realised though is that the plants I purchased from the Koenigliche Gartenakademie were more robust, grew healthier, stronger and more beautiful than the plants I got for a Euro or 2 cheaper in other places. So when I can, I prefer to buy plants (and even soil) at the Koenigliche Gartenakademie.

They sell also many other garden and flower related items like beautiful vases, etc.

Grab a gorgeous flower bouquet as you pay for your goodies.

One of the best deals is the Amori e Aromi pack of aromatic plants (set of 6 for 12 Euros) and that’s why you can see in my instagram, I’ve been enjoying fresh mint tea, apple mint tea (love love love this!), putting them in salads and salad dressings and cooking with such aromatic fresh herbs. I no longer have to buy packs of herbs that stress me out because I need to find ways to use them up before they wilt.

Take a peek at my balcony garden here. It brings me so much happiness and relaxation to tend to it and have tea or wine while sitting in my balcony.

Gardening School & Design Studio

In their Gardening School, they offer lectures, courses and tours that will help newbies and professionals alike learn more about how to choose plants, design and create the garden of their dreams (be it a small balcony or a big English Garden) and many other skills to help anyone with an interest in gardening.

Nowadays garden owners have to deal with limited funds and limited time. Gone are the days of having a full-time gardener doing all the work. Most gardeners do their gardens themselves and once in a while seek the help of a professional. In the KGA, they aim to spread their passion for a garden culture and encourage everyone to give gardening a try and they have various courses offered to cater to different levels and needs.In the center of it all is the joy of gardening.

For those who would like specific help to design their garden, such as for embassies or ambassadors residences, there are 1-3 day courses to help you do it yourself or they can also do it for you with a 1 Euro per square meter fee. Read more about gardening courses and garden design services.

Das Café in der Gartenakademie

During sunny weekends, my favourite thing to do was eat in their Cafe with TD and DiploDog. It is simply marvellous and is my happy place in Berlin. It is so lovely to eat simple yet fresh food surrounded by such natural beauty. There is an al fresco area, and also an enclosed area under one of their greenhouses.

I love the chicken breast panini with salad, which is perfectly paired with a glass of Riesling wine. 

Walnut Pie

We eat light to serve room for their delightful desserts.  Have you ever eaten in such a lovely garden?

Königliche Gartenakademie

Altensteinstraße 15a, 14195 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 83220900
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April to September | Mon to Sat 10.00 – 19.00 • Sun & holidays 10.00 – 16.00
October to March | Mon to Sat 11.00 – 17.30 • Sun & holidays 11.00 – 17.00