Opened to the public in 1952, Arboretum Volčji Potok originally formed part of the Souvan family estate, which was taken over by the University of Ljubljana in 1948 and legally declared a place of cultural and natural heritage of national importance in 1950. Now independent of the University, it is the most visited horticultural amenity in Slovenia which in recent years has become famous for its Spring flower shows.

The Arboretum produces plants in its own nurseries, runs a garden centre, employs a group of landscape architects and does practical landscaping all over Slovenia. The Arboretum itself comprises 80 hectares of ground with a diversity of soil types, occupied by about 2,500 different species of trees and shrubs. The plant collection has been thoughtfully designed as a landscape park.