The Parkhotel Brenscino in Ticino is located near the Italian border in Brissago, in an idyllic location with a magnificent view over Lake Maggiore. Garden included. Whereas park is the more appropriate term for the green area. It measures 38,000 square meters. Or to put it another way: over five soccer fields. Martin Russenberger is the master of this blooming miniature universe. For more than 35 years, he has tended and designed his area with great attention to detail and a flair for subtropical plants. In the process, he himself is always discovering new things that surprise him.
"All of a sudden I discovered a rare passion flower that sowed itself and after a few years started to bloom," Russenberger enthuses, explaining further, "I let the fruits of my plants hang. The seeds fell to the ground, and eventually a new flower grew from them." The interesting thing is that the passion flower described is a cross between two others. Quasi a park unique. But other rarities have also taken up residence. For example, a rare Chilean wax bell, which has bloomed again and again since Russenberger's first year on the job.
If you like it a bit more powerful, look for a Chinese ginkgo tree in the grounds. Russenberger remembers: "At the beginning of my work, the park was a wilderness and I had to use a machete. A small plant caught my eye, but it was not in good condition. Nevertheless, it grew into a huge gingko tree and has survived rock falls and more. The tree grew with me in the park."
Anyone who listens to the native of Schaffhausen, who found his destiny in Ticino, is literally drawn along by his enthusiasm for plants. He has a personal story to tell about almost every one of his flowers, shrubs and trees. Visitors can experience this story for themselves. Russenberger brings his passion closer in garden tours - to hotel guests, school classes and even kindergartens.
Martin Russenberger - The world in the garden
