Arboretum Mustila, Kymenlaakso, Finland

4JariJK 5:00 PM Jul 3, 2017

One of the most important arboretums in Northern Europe
There are two arboretums in Kouvola: Hevoshaan arboretum (read separate reviews) and Arboretum Mustila. The latter is much bigger and better. Actually Arboretum Mustila is the oldest (founded in 1902) and the largest (120 hectares) arboretum in Finland - and one of the most important arboretums in Northern Europe. Arboretum Mustila is situated along the highway 6 in the village of Elimäki, which belongs to the city of Kouvola. When you drive to Arboretum Mustila, you come first to a garden center (where you can buy seedlings and saplings) and the local winery. You should drive through this parking place to get into Arboretum Mustila. There is an own parking place for the visitors of the arboretum. There is a very nice park cafeteria in Arboretum Mustila. This cafeteria is situated next to a small museum and it is a good resting place (if you are driving on the highway 6) even if you are not going in the arboretum. However, I recommend that you visit the arboretum itself, too. There are very nice walking routes in the arboretum. The red trail is 1.5 kilometers long, the yellow trail 2.5 kilometers and the blue trail 3.0 kilometers. On these walking trails you see the most important parts of the arboretum. Arboretum Mustila is especially famous for Rhododendrons. The biggest plant is a Douglas fir which is 40 meters tall and 100 years old. This is a very interesting place for the whole family!

4Eva S 5:00 PM Jun 21, 2015

Beautiful rhododendron park
Beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas flowering in June. That is probably best time of the year to visit. The arboretum is lacking in signs at the plants and trees quite often. Maintenance of the park is not the best. Some pathways are accessible with a wheelchair.