Helsinki Rododendron Park in Bloom

The Rhododendron Park begins to awaken from its winter rest in late May, and the blooming season gradually starts. The park is one of the most popular early summer destinations in Helsinki among locals. It's almost like a pilgrimage.

Different species bloom at different times, and the flowering usually continues at least until around mid-June. Cooler weather in early summer can extend the blooming period even further. The park area is a magical destination for an outing even before the flowers bloom and throughout the entire summer. This former university plant breeding test area is home to as many as 3,000 different rhododendron hybrids and azaleas.

Among the flowers, the azaleas usually burst into full bloom first, followed by the rhododendrons. In addition to the spring weather, the development of the flower buds and the blooming season are also influenced by the weather conditions of the previous autumn.

The first rhododendrons typically bloom by the end of May. The park usually reaches full bloom during June. The flowering season is generally at its most spectacular in early to mid-June.

The Rhododendron Park is an impressive experience during the first weeks of June. During the blooming season, thousands of visitors flock to this “enchanted forest” hidden among the residential areas of Haaga, both from across the Helsinki region and from abroad. The city often brings temporary toilets to the park for the flowering season. On beautiful summer days, there are also usually vendors on site, such as ice cream sellers.

The park in bloom in June 2025. 

The blooming at its most beautiful around midsummer.

The park is beautiful even when its raining.

Puisto tarjoaa elämyksiä ja mielenrauhaa myös kukinta-ajan ympärillä.

Julkisilla paikalle pääsee helposti. Junalla Alppuruusupuistoon matkustaa keskustasta n. 20 minuutissa. Myös Raide-Jokerin pysäkki on vain parin sadan metrin päässä puistosta. ks. Reittiopas 

Taustalla kasvinjalostus ja tutkimus

Alppiruusupuisto on osa ainutlaatuista puuvartisten koristekasvien kasvinjalostustyötä. Hehtaarin kokoiselle entiselle suoalueelle on istutettu vuonna 1975 yhteensä jopa 3000 alppiruusuristeymää lähinnä tutkimustarkoituksiin. Jalostusohjelman tavoitteena oli luoda Suomen ilmastoon sopeutunut, kasvutavaltaan ja kukkien väriltään monipuolinen lajikkeisto.

Puistosta löytyy jopa 3000 alppiruusuristeymää ja 1500 alppiruusun sukuista puistoatsaleaa. Aurinkoisemmilla ja aukeilla alueilla viihtyät atsaleat ovat väriltään keltaisia, oransseja, vaaleanpunaisia ja valkoisia.

Maagista tunnelmaa puistossa riittää myös sateisina päivinä. Rodopuistoon voi tutustua omatoimisesti sinne rakennettuja pitkospuureittejä pitkin sekä korkeammilta katselukorokkeilta.

Public transport connections to the park are easy and convenient. By train, you can reach Haagan Alppiruusupuisto from the city centre in about 20 minutes. The stop for the Raide-Jokeri light rail line is also only a couple of hundred metres from the park. See the journey planner for more information.


Plant breeding and research created this magical park

The Rhododendron Park is part of a unique breeding programme for woody ornamental plants. In 1975, as many as 3,000 rhododendron hybrids were planted in the former marshland area, mainly for research purposes. The goal of the breeding programme was to create a diverse selection of varieties adapted to the Finnish climate, with different growth habits and flower colours.

The park contains up to 3,000 rhododendron hybrids and 1,500 deciduous azaleas related to rhododendrons. The azaleas, which thrive in sunnier and more open areas, bloom in shades of yellow, orange, pink, and white.

The park also has a magical atmosphere on rainy days. Visitors can explore the Rhododendron Park independently along the wooden boardwalk trails built through the area, as well as from elevated viewing platforms.

Photos: qeranen, julia.josefina, sanna.jahkola, Pauli Jokinen, etelahaagankirjasto 

Main photo: zenbroccoli