The Botanical Garden in Jerusalem is planning to open its doors to the public next week for planting thousands of flowers in honor of the Tu B’Shvat holiday, known in English as the New Year of Trees. The Hebrew terms literally means the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, which this year falls on the Sabbath, when Jewish law forbids planting.
The holiday is one of the four "new years" that are mentioned in the Talmud and marks the traditional" re-awakening of trees" from their winter slumber.
The Botanical Garden, founded in 1953, host more than 10,000 different kinds of plants from different regions of the world. Growing the plants and flowers from tropical areas requires maintaining conditions that allow them to survive the climate in Jerusalem.
The Botanical Garden will be open for a Tu B’Shvat “happening” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. three days next week, Jan 27-29, which is the afternoon before the holiday. The public will be able to plant approximately 12,000 flowers for a carpet of flowers in different colors on January 27 and 28 at 4 p.m., followed by stories on trees at the visitors’ center.
Special tours and events for children will be held at 12:30 and 13:30 P.M. (Further information may be obtained at 02-6794012/3.