The Rose Garden of BAM – Oasis for Insects and Butterflies
A new piece of the Biblioteca degli Alberi botanical collection is the BAM Rose Garden hosting 120 roses of 90 different species, 17 nourishing and nectariferous plants, and two bugs hotels. This natural ecosystem was created to attract microfauna and increase the biodiversity richness within the park.
The Rose Garden of BAM
Distributed over 8 flowerbeds, each rose is different and specially chosen to adapt to the climate and conditions peculiar to the park. Standing out in this collection – ranking first throughout the Milan area in number of roses – is the BAM Rose, a hybrid created specially for the park in collaboration with Vivaio Barni and found in advance in this space alone, at the beginning of each basin.
Each flower or plant in the park is accompanied by a tag bearing its name.
Bugs hotel
The first hotel of the park is for pollinating insects and is actually a BAM community creation!
With the goal of singling out the best structure for building two homes for pollinating insects (Bugs Hotels), we launched an international contest in 2023 together with the magazine Gardenia, a BAM Media Partner. It was open to just everyone: students, universities, companies craftsmen and trade professionals.
A large number of projects were sent in over a three-month time span, but the winning project is that of Class IIB of Istituto Confalonieri of Milan.
BAM's microfauna
BAM is committed to protecting pollinating insects, and the building of the Oasis for Insects and Butterflies is dedicated to them, to offer them a safe and welcoming place.
There are over 20,000 species of wild bees and 180,000 species of butterflies around the world, and each has unique features. All these insects play an essential role in ecosystems as they are food specialists. They feed on one or a few plant species, so in this way they become indicators of the state of health of the environment where they live.
Nectariferous and nourishing plants play a crucial role in their survival. Helping their growth in parks means offering pollinating insects tangible support in a period marked by climate change and loss of habitats. By carefully selecting the best suited plants, we can create little refuges that, however simple they may be, become actual miniature ecosystems.
And in this way not only do we help butterflies and other pollinating insects to prosper, but we also actively contribute to protecting biodiversity.
The park and accessibility
This new park was designed in continuity with the original values of Fondazione Riccardo Catella that with the BAM project wanted to create a natural place of culture, inclusion, safety and accessibility.
Thanks to collaboration with the relevant associations – Abilità Associazione Onlus, Ente Nazionale Sordi and I.N.M.A.C.I, BAM has started up a process of analysis of services and skills to make the space usable. Ramps for persons with motor disabilities, LVE tactile path complete with maps so the blind and partially sighted can visit, a LIS (Italian sign language) video and two guides for persons with cognitive disabilities.
Landscape studies, botanical knowledge, digital updates and the most renowned consultancies in the world of accessibility have contributed to making this place an actual oasis of discovery and relaxation within our city.
Opening hours and rules
- January 9.00 - 20.00
- February 9.00 - 20.00
- March 9.00 - 20.00
- April 8.00 - 22.00
- May 8.00 - 22.00
- June 8.00 - 22.00
- July 8.00 - 22.00
- August 8.00 - 22.00
- September 8.00 - 22.00
- October 9.00 - 20.00
- November 9.00 - 20.00
- December 9.00 - 20.00
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do not pick the flowers
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do not step on the flowers
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try not to disturb the insects near the bugs hotels
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leave bikes, scooters and skateboards outside
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dogs are welcome, but keep them on a lead
