Arboretum Kalmthout

About the garden

Owned by the Provincie Antwerpen and designed by Russell Page and Piet Oudolf, Arboretum Kalmthout dates back to 1856. In 1952, Georges and Robert De Belder purchased it to create a private botanical garden. 

In 1954, they received assistance from Jelena Kovačič, who later married Robert. The grounds were transformed into an arboretum but rather than following the formal layout of traditional botanical gardens, they opted for a more natural-looking design featuring perennials, creepers, shrubs and trees. 

With the inspiring leadership of the De Belders, Arboretum Kalmthout blossomed. They introduced hundreds of new plants, sourced globally, collected seeds in the wild and selected numerous new cultivars, particularly of Prunus, Malus, Pieris, Hamamelis and Hydrangea. 

The property has been expanded several times and the garden now spans over 33 acres. Arboretum Kalmthout is recognised as one of Belgium's leading gardens, boasting one of the most valuable collections of woody plants in Europe.