Planten un Blomen — Plants and Flowers, in Low German — is a 47-hectare central park strung along the old bastion ramparts on the western edge of the inner city. It includes one of Europe's largest Japanese gardens (designed by Yoshikuni Araki in 1988, with a tea house overlooking a koi pond), an apothecary garden, a tropical greenhouse and the Wallanlagen lake.
The summer programme is the real draw. The Wasserlichtkonzerte — water-light concerts — feature illuminated fountain choreographies set to classical music every evening from May to September at 10 pm. Free open-air concerts in the bandstand happen most afternoons. Entry to the entire park is free. The U-Bahn station Stephansplatz drops you at the main southern entrance.