Our history

1992    Botanicus was established as a company.  The name came about through one of the founding partners, Dr Malcolm Robert Stuart, a renowned British botanist with a deep knowledge of herbs and their use in foods and cosmetics.  With Dr Stuart’s help, Dana and Jan Hradecky began to rebuild the country estate in Ostra, which was returned to the family at the time of restitution.

The first products were pot pourri, beeswax candles and some traditional wooden products from Bohemia.

1993    In this year, essential oils were added to the Botanicus range.  Various oils were produced for use in aromatherapy lamps, massage and bath.  More than 1,000 wholesale clients were established.

1994    Anxious to maintain quality control over the Botanicus brand, the company followed through on the original idea of opening Botanicus shops.

1996    This year the Botanicus centre in Ostra was properly established, with production, packaging and administration housed in one specially designed complex.  Key to this endeavour was the opening of a Botanicus shop that would serve as a model for all the other Botanicus shops to follow.

1997    The first Botanicus shop was opened in the historical area of Prague, at the original town gate and the Ungelt customhouse near the Old Town Square.

1999    Extending the Botanicus concept of traditional methods and materials, the Historical Centre was built, occupying space in Ostra that had been a dumping ground.  For the construction, materials from two redundant sugar factories were recycled and an historic village has been built, creating a typical atmosphere from years gone by, with old crafts being demonstrated adjacent to the botanical gardens.

2000    In November, HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales visited the company while on an official tour of the Czech Republic.  He showed great interest in the organic gardens, traditional manufacturing and the ecological cultivation of herbs, fruit and vegetables.  He planted two trees, an oak for Britain and a lime for Czech Republic, symbolizing the links between the nations.

2002    Botanicus shops open in Asia, starting with Taiwan and followed by Japan and Singapore.

2004    The Arboretum of Dagmar and Vaclav Havel was established at Botanicus.  The former president and his wife were given a number of ceremonial trees during his presidency and these form the basis of the new three hectare arboretum at Botanicus.

2005    A restructuring period where various changes and a future structure for the company were announced.  The company is now wholly owned by Dana and Jan Hradecky.

2007    Entering the Russian market, five new shops were opened.

2008    An expansion of the gardens was achieved; the site now covers 30 hectares.

2009    Four shops opened in China, including the cities of Hang Zhou and Shanghai.

2011    Botanicus continues to thrive in Europe and the Asian market