Parks & Open Spaces

Green campus Geisenheim

The Geisenheim university location has a lot to offer when it comes to greenery. In addition to the numerous courses on the subject of plants and green structures, the campus offers a wide range of green topics with its two historical parks and many planted areas.

Planning, development and maintenance of the outdoor facilities

The outdoor facilities at Geisenheim University are subject to different areas of competence. The management of park maintenance from the area of ​​competence of the Plant Use Professorship has an overview of most of the green areas and the parks. It surveys the green developments on the university campus and tries to bring them together in a meaningful way. Individual projects and general maintenance are then taken over by the park maintenance team, provided capacity permits. Larger projects or more specialist tasks, such as regular tree inspections and tree care measures, are also outsourced. In addition to these general topics, the various study areas also manage some of their own projects, research areas and areas of competence on the topic of green.

Head of park maintenance team

Manfred Müller
Manfred Müller
Building 6701
Room 019
Phone +49 6722 502 543
Manfred.Mueller(at)hs-gm.de Details

Park maintenance team

Martina Brendel
Martina Brendel
Building 6701
Room 019
Phone +49 6722 502 543
Martina.Brendel(at)hs-gm.de Details
Jochen Lüdcke
Jochen Lüdcke
Building 6701
Room 019
Phone +49 6722 502 543
Jochen.Luedcke(at)hs-gm.de Details

management of park maintenance

Alexander von Birgelen
Prof. Dr. Alexander von Birgelen
Building 6701
Room 107
Phone +49 6722 502 773
Alexander.Birgelen(at)hs-gm.de Details
Campus with history

The historic parks Monrepospark on the South Campus and Rudolf-Goethe-Park on the North Campus are defining elements and deeply linked to the roots of the Geisenheim university location. Over time, a diverse and old tree population has developed there. The park and the trees it contains, like many of the university's buildings, are listed buildings. But here too, the effects of climate change are increasingly becoming apparent. Once very favorable in terms of climate, the mild warmth develops into summer heat. The Mediterranean-like climate develops persistent dry phases. The future of the university parks must now be well thought out and precisely planned so that the old trees can be largely preserved, renovated in a way that is compatible with monuments and the climate, and developed in a resilient manner.

 

An exciting task.

 

More about the history of the parks can be found on the following pages.

Beds & Plantings

There are beds and plantings of various ages throughout campus. As diverse as the choice of plants can be, the function of green elements is just as diverse. Plantings can separate or connect the room through their spatial effect. A certain character or atmosphere can be created with flowers, colors, structures and textures. Plants shape the space with their liveliness and also with their ecological benefits when people and animals benefit from them.

 

The skills of planning with plants are discussed and addressed in various subjects. The Plant Use Professorship has fully embraced this topic. She develops existing and designs new green elements on the grounds of Geisenheim University. Many beds are also used for teaching and are designed as display beds.

Professorship of Planting Design

Alexander von Birgelen
Prof. Dr. Alexander von Birgelen
Building 6701
Room 107
Phone +49 6722 502 773
Alexander.Birgelen(at)hs-gm.de Details
Habitat trees - old wood, new life

The university location is committed to preserving old, special habitat trees. Of course, parks should be attractive, vital and well maintained. Dying or already dead trees apparently do not belong in the picture. But these old "habitat trees" offer a particularly large amount of living space for a wide variety of creatures - from birds and bats that nest in tree hollows to special species of beetles that appropriate the wood. The decomposition processes may limit the stability of habitat trees and dead wood and are therefore particularly carefully monitored and checked. But not all habitat trees are dying or are already dead wood.

 

Healthy trees can also provide special habitats - which is why there are habitat trees in the park that have been awarded a plaque. The most important examples are explained here.

Competence Area Tree Nursery & Woody Physiology

Jörg Kunz
Dr. Jörg Kunz
Building 1000
Room 318
Phone +49 6722 502 538
Joerg.Kunz(at)hs-gm.de Details

PLANTINGS

The central campus is located to the east above the railway line. In addition to the historic Rudolf Goethe Park, important green structures here are often representative beds and edge plants.

The southern campus is below the railway line and is essentially characterized by the historic Monrepospark and its beds.

 


More about the Professorship for Planting Design

News

Research, Education, Praxis: Hochschule Geisenheim University To Open Its Doors For The 2025 Open Campus

On Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31, 2025 Hochschule Geisenheim University warmly invites the public to its Open Campus 2025. Over the course of both days, members of the public, prospective students, professionals, alumni, and friends of the university will have the opportunity to experience applied research and the practice-oriented degree programs up close, all while enjoying the unique atmosphere of the Geisenheim campus.

How is climate change affecting our landscapes, vineyards, and gardens? How can food be produced safely and sustainably? What will tomorrow’s beverages look like? And how does scientific research lead to practical solutions?

Visitors will find answers to these and many other questions at Open Campus 2025 through more than 100 exhibitions, guided tours, tastings, talks, and hands-on activities. Live and in person, right here on campus, the event offers fascinating insight into Geisenheim’s practice-based teaching and future-focused research at the intersection of nature, technology, and society.

A Changing Campus: New Buildings, New Possibilities

Hochschule Geisenheim University is not just evolving thanks to its expanding academic programs and innovative research projects: it has also undergone a significant physical transformation in recent years. Our Open Campus offers a unique opportunity to explore several newly constructed buildings that are raising teaching and research to a new level:

  • Two pioneering facilities were launched in December 2023, the Food Safety Building and the Logistics and Sustainability Building
  • The modern Lecture Hall Building was completed in December 2024 and is fully equipped with cutting-edge presentation technology and flexible room layouts.
  • The Beverage Technology Center, the only one of its kind in Germany,  officially opened in May this year, marking a new milestone for research, development, and education in beverage technology.
  • Coming soon: The ‘VITA’ Research Center, focused on climate-adapted and sustainable plant protection and cultivation strategies in viticulture, is currently under construction and scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

Guided tours of these new facilities during Open Campus will provide a rare opportunity to experience state-of-the-art university infrastructure firsthand.

Study Info Days: Your Future at Hochschule Geisenheim

For anyone interested in studying at our university, the Open Campus offers an excellent opportunity to explore all our degree programs in:

  • Horticulture
  • Beverage Technology
  • International Wine Business
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Food Safety
  • Food Logistics and Management
  • Viticulture and Enology

Whether you attend sample lectures, take part in individual advising sessions, tour the labs, or chat with current students and alumni, this is your chance to explore your options and potential career paths in a personal and engaging setting. And if you're wondering where to find the best coffee on campus, we've got tips for that too!

Rebsortentage 2025: Innovation in Viticulture

A special highlight of the Open Campus is the long-standing tradition of the Geisenheim Grape Variety Days (Rebsortentage). On both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Department of Plant Breeding will open its experimental vineyards at Eibinger Weg 1 to professionals and those interested in vine propagation and viticulture.

Key topics include:

  • New fungi-resistant (PIWI) grape crossings – including red PIWIs and teinturier varieties
  • New rootstocks in practical trials
  • Expert-led vineyard tours
  • Tastings of over 30 innovative and traditional wines
  • Lectures on modern breeding and analytical methods
  • Microscopic insights into the life of the grape phylloxera
  • Demonstrations of tissue culture and genome analysis in vines

Note: Participating in the tastings costs €5 plus a €5 deposit for the glass. Groups of 10 or more are asked to register in advance (Phone: +49 (0)6722-502-121, Email: rebenzuechtung@hs-gm.de).

Fun for the Whole Family: Science Meets Entertainment

Throughout the campus, a colorful program awaits visitors of all ages, featuring science talks on the live stage, a kids’ area, vendor booths, the university winery, street food, live music, and much more. Young guests can enjoy creative hands-on activities, science games, and exciting discoveries in the world of plants and food.

On Sunday at 12:00 p.m., the Wiesbaden Galli Theater will perform a humorous play on the campus lawn in front of the main building, which tells the story of the famous “Spätlesereiter” (late harvest rider) in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the discovery of the Spätlese. The performance is supported by the VEG – Geisenheim Alumni Association e.V. and Vicosmo GmbH.

Exclusive Offers for Alumni: Reconnect, Network, Discover

Alumni are invited to rediscover their university! Highlights include an exclusive alumni reception in the VEG tent, a guided campus tour of new buildings and labs, a photo booth in the university cellar, the Alumni Podcast, and the chance to bring your own wine (and its story) to contribute to the university’s collection. 

SAVE THE DATE


Open Campus 2025 – Hochschule Geisenheim University

Location: Hochschule Geisenheim, 65366 Geisenheim
Date: Saturday, August 30 & Sunday, August 31, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day
Admission free, no registration required for individual visitors

More details are available here.

The event is being supported by the team from the LLH Horticultural Center in Geisenheim, who will be on hand with information and guidance.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

 

Categories: Mein-Netzwerk, STUDIUM, Lebensmittellogistik und -Management B.Sc., CAS-Kurse Weinwirtschaft, Studieren ohne Abitur, Lebensmittelsicherheit M.Sc., Weinbau, Önologie und Weinwirtschaft (M.Sc.), VITIS-VINUM (M.Sc.), Vinifera EuroMaster (M.Sc.), UMSB (M.Eng.), Landschaftsarchitektur (M.Sc.), Weinwirtschaft (M.Sc.), Oenologie (M.Sc.), Getränketechnologie (M.Sc.), Gartenbauwissenschaft (M.Sc.), International Wine Business (B.Sc.), Internationale Weinwirtschaft (B.Sc.), Logistik und Management Frischprodukte (B.Sc.), Gartenbau (B.Sc.), Getränketechnologie (B.Sc.), Lebensmittelsicherheit (B.Sc.), Landschaftsarchitektur (B.Eng.), Berufsschullehrer/-in GaLaBau, Freiraumplanung, International, Weinbau und Oenologie (B.Sc.), Deutsch-Italienischer Doppel-Bachelor, Study & Work, HOCHSCHULE, Presse und Kommunikation, Alumni, Campus (er)leben, FORSCHUNG, Projekte, Wein- und Getränkewirtschaft, Professur für Marktforschung, Weintourismus, Urbanen Gartenbau, Grünes Geisenheim, Technik, Rebenzüchtung, Phytomedizin, Oenologie, Obstbau, Molekulare Pflanzenwissenschaften, Modellierung und Systemanalyse, Mikrobiologie und Biochemie, Lebensmittelsicherheit, Landschaftsplanung und Naturschutz, Landschaftsbau und Vegetationstechnik, Getränkeforschung, Gemüsebau, Frischproduktlogistik, Freiraumplanung, Bodenkunde und Pflanzenernährung, Angewandte Ökologie, Allgemeiner und ökologischer Weinbau, Nachrichten, Veranstaltungen, MyHGU-App

Images

Photo: Torsten Silz
Photo: Torsten Silz
Photo: Torsten Silz
Photo: Winfried Schönbach
Photo: Galli-Theater
Photo: Philipp Stieffenhofer
Archive

Research, Education, Praxis: Hochschule Geisenheim University To Open Its Doors For The 2025 Open Campus

On Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31, 2025 Hochschule Geisenheim University warmly invites the public to its Open Campus 2025. Over the course of both days, members of the public, prospective students, professionals, alumni, and friends of the university will have the opportunity to experience applied research and the practice-oriented degree programs up close, all while enjoying the unique atmosphere of the Geisenheim campus.

How is climate change affecting our landscapes, vineyards, and gardens? How can food be produced safely and sustainably? What will tomorrow’s beverages look like? And how does scientific research lead to practical solutions?

Visitors will find answers to these and many other questions at Open Campus 2025 through more than 100 exhibitions, guided tours, tastings, talks, and hands-on activities. Live and in person, right here on campus, the event offers fascinating insight into Geisenheim’s practice-based teaching and future-focused research at the intersection of nature, technology, and society.

A Changing Campus: New Buildings, New Possibilities

Hochschule Geisenheim University is not just evolving thanks to its expanding academic programs and innovative research projects: it has also undergone a significant physical transformation in recent years. Our Open Campus offers a unique opportunity to explore several newly constructed buildings that are raising teaching and research to a new level:

  • Two pioneering facilities were launched in December 2023, the Food Safety Building and the Logistics and Sustainability Building
  • The modern Lecture Hall Building was completed in December 2024 and is fully equipped with cutting-edge presentation technology and flexible room layouts.
  • The Beverage Technology Center, the only one of its kind in Germany,  officially opened in May this year, marking a new milestone for research, development, and education in beverage technology.
  • Coming soon: The ‘VITA’ Research Center, focused on climate-adapted and sustainable plant protection and cultivation strategies in viticulture, is currently under construction and scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

Guided tours of these new facilities during Open Campus will provide a rare opportunity to experience state-of-the-art university infrastructure firsthand.

Study Info Days: Your Future at Hochschule Geisenheim

For anyone interested in studying at our university, the Open Campus offers an excellent opportunity to explore all our degree programs in:

  • Horticulture
  • Beverage Technology
  • International Wine Business
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Food Safety
  • Food Logistics and Management
  • Viticulture and Enology

Whether you attend sample lectures, take part in individual advising sessions, tour the labs, or chat with current students and alumni, this is your chance to explore your options and potential career paths in a personal and engaging setting. And if you're wondering where to find the best coffee on campus, we've got tips for that too!

Rebsortentage 2025: Innovation in Viticulture

A special highlight of the Open Campus is the long-standing tradition of the Geisenheim Grape Variety Days (Rebsortentage). On both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Department of Plant Breeding will open its experimental vineyards at Eibinger Weg 1 to professionals and those interested in vine propagation and viticulture.

Key topics include:

  • New fungi-resistant (PIWI) grape crossings – including red PIWIs and teinturier varieties
  • New rootstocks in practical trials
  • Expert-led vineyard tours
  • Tastings of over 30 innovative and traditional wines
  • Lectures on modern breeding and analytical methods
  • Microscopic insights into the life of the grape phylloxera
  • Demonstrations of tissue culture and genome analysis in vines

Note: Participating in the tastings costs €5 plus a €5 deposit for the glass. Groups of 10 or more are asked to register in advance (Phone: +49 (0)6722-502-121, Email: rebenzuechtung@hs-gm.de).

Fun for the Whole Family: Science Meets Entertainment

Throughout the campus, a colorful program awaits visitors of all ages, featuring science talks on the live stage, a kids’ area, vendor booths, the university winery, street food, live music, and much more. Young guests can enjoy creative hands-on activities, science games, and exciting discoveries in the world of plants and food.

On Sunday at 12:00 p.m., the Wiesbaden Galli Theater will perform a humorous play on the campus lawn in front of the main building, which tells the story of the famous “Spätlesereiter” (late harvest rider) in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the discovery of the Spätlese. The performance is supported by the VEG – Geisenheim Alumni Association e.V. and Vicosmo GmbH.

Exclusive Offers for Alumni: Reconnect, Network, Discover

Alumni are invited to rediscover their university! Highlights include an exclusive alumni reception in the VEG tent, a guided campus tour of new buildings and labs, a photo booth in the university cellar, the Alumni Podcast, and the chance to bring your own wine (and its story) to contribute to the university’s collection. 

SAVE THE DATE


Open Campus 2025 – Hochschule Geisenheim University

Location: Hochschule Geisenheim, 65366 Geisenheim
Date: Saturday, August 30 & Sunday, August 31, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day
Admission free, no registration required for individual visitors

More details are available here.

The event is being supported by the team from the LLH Horticultural Center in Geisenheim, who will be on hand with information and guidance.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

 

Categories: Mein-Netzwerk, STUDIUM, Lebensmittellogistik und -Management B.Sc., CAS-Kurse Weinwirtschaft, Studieren ohne Abitur, Lebensmittelsicherheit M.Sc., Weinbau, Önologie und Weinwirtschaft (M.Sc.), VITIS-VINUM (M.Sc.), Vinifera EuroMaster (M.Sc.), UMSB (M.Eng.), Landschaftsarchitektur (M.Sc.), Weinwirtschaft (M.Sc.), Oenologie (M.Sc.), Getränketechnologie (M.Sc.), Gartenbauwissenschaft (M.Sc.), International Wine Business (B.Sc.), Internationale Weinwirtschaft (B.Sc.), Logistik und Management Frischprodukte (B.Sc.), Gartenbau (B.Sc.), Getränketechnologie (B.Sc.), Lebensmittelsicherheit (B.Sc.), Landschaftsarchitektur (B.Eng.), Berufsschullehrer/-in GaLaBau, Freiraumplanung, International, Weinbau und Oenologie (B.Sc.), Deutsch-Italienischer Doppel-Bachelor, Study & Work, HOCHSCHULE, Presse und Kommunikation, Alumni, Campus (er)leben, FORSCHUNG, Projekte, Wein- und Getränkewirtschaft, Professur für Marktforschung, Weintourismus, Urbanen Gartenbau, Grünes Geisenheim, Technik, Rebenzüchtung, Phytomedizin, Oenologie, Obstbau, Molekulare Pflanzenwissenschaften, Modellierung und Systemanalyse, Mikrobiologie und Biochemie, Lebensmittelsicherheit, Landschaftsplanung und Naturschutz, Landschaftsbau und Vegetationstechnik, Getränkeforschung, Gemüsebau, Frischproduktlogistik, Freiraumplanung, Bodenkunde und Pflanzenernährung, Angewandte Ökologie, Allgemeiner und ökologischer Weinbau, Nachrichten, Veranstaltungen, MyHGU-App

Images

Photo: Torsten Silz
Photo: Torsten Silz
Photo: Torsten Silz
Photo: Winfried Schönbach
Photo: Galli-Theater
Photo: Philipp Stieffenhofer
Do you already know PLANT.ed?

PLANT.ed is a learning platform of the Professorship for planting design and represents a first point of contact for students who want to deal with planting design and planning. When looking for suitable information on these topics, one can quickly "get lost" in the "shoals" of an as yet undefined quantity and variety. On the one hand, PLANT.ed is intended to help with orientation in the subject area and, on the other hand, to support the teaching content of the various lectures and seminars. PLANT.ed is located on the ILIAS learning platform of Hochschule Geisenheim University and can be viewed by students and employees of HGU at any time.