GC Ulm: Natural monument with Iris Sibirica

When it comes to biodiversity, many golf facilities are strong. The GC Ulm is the only golf course in Germany with a natural monument consisting of an orchid. In the middle of the golf course, you will find Iris sibirica, a natural monument classified as Level 3 Endangered in 2018 according to the Red List of Germany. Beyond course two, Siberian irises (Iris sibirica) stand in a smaller wet meadow. They were already established here before the golf course was built in 1963/64. The Lower Ill Valley with its watercourses and small ponds was a perfect habitat for orchids. “This year we had a particularly large number of blooms,” sums up head greenkeeper Christian Ströbele, who observes special maintenance requirements for the wetland and the neighboring rough grassland meadows. “With the Iris Sibirica, we mow only once a year, and sometimes only once every two years.” The rare iris species is also known by the club’s golfers. That’s why there are no problems with golfers going through the wet meadow without any consideration.

Wetland meets nutrient-poor grassland
The site is further enhanced by an area of nutrient-poor grassland that borders directly on the wetland. This is home to the large meadow button plant, which in turn is visited by both the dark and the highly endangered light meadow button blue butterfly.
The butterfly is a Red List species and has also become somewhat well-known among local golfers. “The biologist from the State Society for the Protection of Birds was pretty excited this year because we had so many ant blues in this area,” Ströbele notes. Here, he must be particularly careful that the great knapweed is not displaced by shrubbery growing in. No great effort, Ströbele thinks. Otherwise, the great meadow buttercup, the iris sibirica and the ant blues simply feel at home on the grounds of the GC Ulm. Perfect positioning next to the second fairway.