The André Heller Botanic Gardens, in Gardone Riviera, not far from the famous Vittoriale, is a little paradise with some 3000 species of plants from all over the world, forming the perfect setting for the works of art dotted around the garden.

A dreamlike, relaxing atmosphere, devised to provide a sensory path that will take you away from the everyday hustle and bustle to rediscover nature on a personal level, especially when the spring blooms are out. 

In 1903, Austrian dentist and botanist, Arthur Hruska established the garden, collecting plant varieties from around the world: the Alps, the Himalayas, Mato Grosso, Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In 1988, the garden was bought by Austrian singer and artist André Heller, who added to it with contemporary art works by artists from Keith Haring to Mimmo Paladino. 

This fusion of art and nature comes ablaze in spring with the flowers that enhance the whole garden with their colours and heady fragrances. These include tulips, from deep red to bright yellow, crocuses, with their delicate purple petals, primroses in pastel colours, roses, the queens of the garden, the stunning wisteria, magnolias in a variety of shades, orchids, and azaleas, without forgetting the water plants, including the lilies.  Every year, the blooms in the André Heller Botanic Garden give it an unforgettable kaleidoscopic appearance