Salzburg begins work on new citrus garden at Mirabell

Work has begun on the next stage of the Mirabell Garden redesign in Salzburg, where a new citrus garden is planned in front of the palace orangery, ORF reports. The changes are intended to complement a new World Heritage Museum and help the historic Baroque garden cope with climate change.

The construction work is due to finish by the end of the year, with citrus trees to be planted in spring. Christian Stadler, head of Salzburg’s city gardens, said the garden would return to its historical role as an orangery garden. Lemon trees will be among its main features, while flowering perennials will remain around the fountain.

The project is part of a renovation of the Mirabell Gardens costing more than one million euros. The newly completed rose garden now has 26 varieties, replacing a single variety that had been affected by pests and bacteria. The planting also includes 1,300 lavender plants and signs identifying the plants.

An underground, computer-controlled irrigation system has been installed to help the roses and other plants withstand dry periods. Stadler said the system had already been needed this year. The redesign also aims to improve the garden’s resilience through greater plant diversity.