The Merian Gardens (Merian Gärten) are a botanical garden on the outskirts of Basel. Their history dates back to 1824 when Christoph Merian (1800-1858) acquired the Brüglingerhof and 56 hectares of land.
The area was transferred to the Christoph Merian Foundation. This Foundation developed the botanical garden in 1968. The Brüglingerhof remained an independent agricultural enterprise until 2012.
The garden is situated amidst the river landscape of the Birs. The terraces are clearly visible and divide the gardens topographically.
The gardens consists of the rhododendron valley, the medicinal garden, the dry biotope and collection of around 1500 historical iris species and other flora.
(Source and further information: www.meriangaerten.ch).