European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 11, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sights sounds finding exotic Paradise in Germany photos and Story by Chuck Vinch Munich Bureau chief most americans living in Germany Are All too familiar with the unpredictable nature of the it seems to rain much of the and then on a moments that rain can turn into a hailstorm or it might break up and let the Sun hardly the Ideal Type of environment for exotic plants and Trees that would be More at Home in tropical conditions farther but there is a place in Germany where Palm Trees and orchids grow Side by Side with Lime and banana where even cacti Are Able to find that hard to believe then you Haven been to the Island of the 110acre located in the Northwest part of Lake is world famous for its Parks and Flower thanks to grand Duke Frederick i of who acquired the Island in in the course of his world travels he brought Many valuable Trees and plants to the Island and was responsible for establishing the Park the islands annual life Cycle begins in when More than 1 million Flower bulbs open orchids and daffodils Combine to create an explosion of As Spring moves into the subtropical which Are covered during the colder months of the year to protect Are unveiled near the Terrace of the 18thcentury baroque Castle and both were built by the knights of the teutonic which controlled the Island for More than 500 these plants Are Able to survive in this not far from the because Lake Constance moderates the temperature of its but the gardeners who work on the Island 60 in All probably also have something to do with beginning in the islands Ros Bushes All of them burst into Bloom and stay that Way until in visitors can help decide the annual contest for the Best in the islands South 200 varieties of the grown by Amateur gardeners and planted on the Island for visitors can look across Lake Constance to the City of Meyersburg from the Bird Well a Plaza near Maina islands Castle visitors look out from one of the balconies in the tropical the vie for the Cash and other prizes Are awarded to the in addition to the Flowers and a Large part of the Island is Given Over to the Gigantic Trees brought there by the grand including Cedars and which Are now 130 years there Are a number of special attractions on the one is the carpet of blooded Flowers along one of the paths that Are planted in the shape of Lake with its various Shoreline cities another favorite of visitors is childrens Here the gardeners have created huge Floral sculptures using wire bodies filled with Plant there Are in the shape of a an owl and a huge it j3hbbbbbimighk  the spire of Maina islands baroque Church built in the Early 18th the Island is open until the end of when the gardeners shift into High planting More than bulbs that will open the next there Are a number of ways to reach the visitors can take a car ferry from across the to the City of for about 10 Marks from there follow the signs for Maina regular ferries for passengers Only run from Constance and Meyersburg directly to the the Park is open until 7 and admission is 7 Marks about for adults and 2 Marks about 70 cents for children aged 6 to Island guidebooks in English Are available for Marks about 90 april stripes Magazine 17