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 There is much of botanical interest to see in south western Andalucia, particularly within the natural park areas. The village of El Bosque on the western border of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park holds a botanic garden, which is an ideal place to view a wide selection of local plants including rarities and local endemics. Common place European trees and Mediterranean shrubs form the backbone to this hillside site and a meandering stone paved path leads you through different eco-systems of well established planting themes where mother-nature assists.
"Andalucía is in a privileged position between the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean sea. Also being between two continents combines to create a large diversity of ecosystems and environments with very varied climates and soils where a wealth of vegetation has developed. This region has counted 4000 taxa of plants (species/subspecies) much of these are exclusive to the area and some are unfortunately rare due to various factors.”
Admission is free and the paths are well maintained plus there are several well placed benches where you can enjoy the surroundings. The entrance, office and toilet facilities are at the lowest point. From here the arrows lead you upwards, which will be at a slow pace if you are taking in the information and enjoying viewing plants that may otherwise have required arduous mountain hikes in various locations to discover!
Clear signs are situated throughout the gardens which divulge information on each plant. This starts with the plant’s family group in the top right corner, followed by the common  Spanish name (if indeed there is one) and then the most important, the scientific name with author - plus sub-species if applicable. Lastly this text also lists the distribution range which may be European and widespread to locally endemic. This information is in Spanish but generally easy to translate. Some of these signs bear a coloured dot in the top left corner, which show at a glance if that particular plant is in danger of extinction Red dot, vulnerable Yellow dot or of special interest Orange dot.
This garden is part of a network that intend to protect the most endangered, rare and ethno- botanically interesting plant species. It not only safe guards examples from the local Grazalema (Cadiz) and Ronda (Málaga) mountain ranges but also eastwards across to the Sierra de Loja (Granada) including El Torcal. A new section is under construction to bring in plants from the Sierra Bermeja which is situated to the south on by the coast at Estepona. Because of its unusual rock 17 endemic species have developed.
Opening hours: (Closed Mondays)
10.00–14.00 / 18.00–20.00 May to Sept
10.00– 14.00 / 16.00– 18.00 October to April
Group tours by appointment
El Castillejo, 11670, El Bosque, Cadiz
Tel: 956 716 134
E.mail:
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