Arboretum Kalmthout

A garden that doesn't hide itself

Arboretum Kalmthout is not a park you wander through in half an hour. It is a collection of more than 7,000 plant species across around twelve hectares, and every time you visit, you notice something different. I mean that literally: the garden changes so dramatically with the seasons that the same spot in October feels completely unlike it does in February.

The arboretum is located at Heuvel 8 in Kalmthout, just across the border with Noord-Brabant. You can park along the road or in the car park at the entrance. There is an admission charge, but what you get in return in terms of photographic material is well worth it.

Autumn: the reason photographers come here

Autumn is by far the most popular time to visit. The collection includes many species that produce particularly vivid colours: Japanese maples, sour cherries, American oaks. Light filters through the canopies, and if you arrive early, just after sunrise, you will find mist hanging between the trunks. An 85mm or 135mm lens works well for close-up portraits of individual leaves and for isolating gradations of colour. For wider views of larger groups of trees, something shorter works better, around 24 to 35mm.

Overcast weather is your friend here. Direct sunlight makes the contrasts too harsh and you lose detail in both the highlights and shadows. A lightly clouded morning gives soft, even light that does justice to the texture of bark and the finest foliage.

Spring: the witch hazel is the reason to come early

Less well known, but just as special: the Hamamelis collection, the witch hazel. It flowers as early as January and February, sometimes even December, when the rest of the garden is still completely bare. The flowers are thread-like and yellow or orange, sitting directly on the branch with no leaves. Macro photography suits this subject very well. Use a tripod, because at macro distances any movement shows immediately.

Practical information

The arboretum is closed on Mondays. Check the opening times and admission prices in advance, as they vary by season. No permit is required for photography for personal use. Commercial shoots require prior contact with the management. The paths are largely passable, but some of the wilder corners become muddy after rain. Sturdy footwear is a sensible choice.

Sources and further reading

• Arboretum Kalmthout (officiële website)
• Onroerend Erfgoed België
• Wikipedia: Arboretum Kalmthout