I am not a frequent visitor to the European continent, but on recent trip to Paris, I discovered a large and wonderful garden that offers lots of areas that any Hawaiian gardener might enjoy visiting.
The garden was officially established 1635 by Louis XIII as the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants and it opened in 1640. Its main purpose was to educate doctors and pharmacists on the medical properties of the plants in the garden’s collection. It soon became a popular destination for all Parisians, however.
Many of the original trees and plants are still in place though new sections have been added over the years to include ornamental and culinary plants. More than 8000 different species or varieties grace the current garden. Today the garden is opened to the public daily and entry to the open garden space is free.
Jardin des Plantes is located in the Latin Quarter in the Fifth Arrondissment in the City of Love. The Jardin contains about a dozen garden areas in its nearly 60 acres of greenery. The main entrance is on the left bank of the river Seine. Centuries-old buildings which house the Natural History Museum and its galleries surround the garden. Several greenhouses that are also on the grounds are full of tropical plants, which I found familiar, but I suspect are curiosities to the Parisians.
I entered the Jardin from Rue Buffon on the south side of the garden. Upon entry I was treated to two wide alleys of plane trees that extended for 500 meters, the length of the garden. Between the two wide walkways numerous square and rectangular gardens are pleasant to view from the plane tree alleys. These areas are replanted seasonally.
Throughout the year you can see thousands of plant varieties at the Jardin des Plantes that have been collected from many different continents around the world. On the early fall day that I visited, the garden was nearing the end of its summer blooming cycle. Vast areas of greenery as well as many flowering plants were still beautiful, however.
Hothouses were added to the garden in the 1700s to house plants brought back the numerous scientific expeditions that were launched to tropical areas throughout the world. The current greenhouses were built in the Art Deco style in 1937. They were known as an architectural jewel of metal and glass and today showcase plants from the humid tropics and from dry desert tropical spots. They currently house over 2,500 tropical plants. Many were plants that grow here in Hawaii. A special section on plants from New Caledonia was particularly reminiscent of home for me.
An adjacent hothouse connected to the Grand Gallery of Evolution includes species from the earliest pre-human plant forms going back nearly 430 million years. These include early algae and mosses and continue through the later development of ferns, cycads and conifers. Later development shows angiosperms including the dichotomous flowering plants that are often found in gardens today.
The Rose and Rock Garden was of particular interest to me with both ancient and contemporary rose varieties represented. Among the roses were lovely sculptural pieces as well as rocks taken from different geographical areas of France. This garden was actually planted in 1990 and features a huge diversity of plants in the Rose family, including nearly 400 wild and cultivated varieties. During the summer bloom in May and June, it reportedly produces a veritable symphony of colors and fragrances. I enjoyed some of that among those that were still blooming in mid-September.
The central area of the garden was originally known as the winter garden. It was replanted in 1937 but still contains the metal arches that were installed in 1800. Several interesting species entitled “Remarkable Plants” were installed throughout the garden in the 1700’s including species from Japan as well as a cedar from Libya and a ginkgo from China that was planted in 1811. These are numbered and easy to find in the free garden brochure. In 1932, a native garden was planted featuring plants native to France that thrive there year-round.
The section of the garden dedicated to irises and perennials was established in 1964 as an example of a Dutch-style garden and contains over 450 species. Reportedly resplendent in May, most of the plants were in dormancy during my visit.
The Alpine Garden was added in 1931 with more than 2,000 species representing those found in mountainous areas of France and the around the world including the Pyrenees, North America as well as the Himalayas. This garden is a bit higher than other areas and contains several different microclimates controlled by water, soil and rock distribution as well as sun orientation. France’s temperate climate means that some of these species require special care in warmer months.
The Grand Labyrinth graces the upper portion of the garden since the XIV century. It was rebuilt by the gardener known as Buffon during his tenure from 1739 to 1788. The Lebanese cedar is at the bottom of the upward path. Known as the Jussieu cedar, it was planted by the French botanist, Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu in 1734. The path winds uphill to a lush circle of greenery that surrounds the Gloriette De Buffon. Placed there in 1788 this cast iron gazebo is believed to be the oldest metal structure in Paris, long before Eiffel Tower was built in 1887.
A 13-acre menagerie or zoo was installed in the garden in 1794. It was one of the oldest zoos in the world and contained over 500 species. In 1934 most of the large animals were moved to a new zoo in the Bois de Vincennes. Though described as a lovely vegetative labyrinth for the species housed there, I chose to skip that area.
An ecological garden is planted on the north side of the Jardin as a wild garden with plants that are native to the Paris area. This area is offered to visitors only with a tour guide as a way to preserve its natural wildness. The botanical garden which is next to the ecological garden is dedicated to the study of botany and is maintained by botany students.
If you have time on your visit to the Jardin, you might want to explore the Natural History Museum or one of its five galleries that surround the garden. The galleries include the Gallery of Evolution, the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology, the Gallery of Botany, the Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy and the Laboratory of Entomology.
You can find out more about the Jardin and the Museum online at https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/en/
With so many different interesting areas and gardens, I found the Jardin des Plantes to be wonderful place to spend an afternoon in Paris followed by a visit to one of the numerous nearby street cafes. Don’t miss it next time you are in Paris.
Gardening Events
Saturdays:
• “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Come with a mask and prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Visit the website www.amygreenwell.garden/get-involved/volunteer-1/ and sign up for the weekly email for more information on work days.
NOW:
• “Coffee donations to first responders on Maui” contact dave@heavenlyhawaiian.com for more information.
Save the dates:
October 5-7:
• “33 rd Annual Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Conference” starting at 8 a.m. on Oct. 5 going to 2 p.m. on Oct. 7 at Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. Topic: “Security Starts with the Soil”. More information at https://www.htfg.org/event-details/33rd-annual-htfg-conference-1
October 17, deadline to apply:
• “Emergency Conservation Program” applications due to help address damages from wildfires and high winds. Contact UH CTAHR in Kona for more information.
October 17-18:
• “Malama the Farmer” at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo. October 17 breakout sessions, October 18 agricultural businesses tour. Registration $225 for both days.Sponsorships available for farmers.Sponsored by UH CTAHR and Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Program. More information at AgrabilityTraining and Events or contact Agrability Partners Tess McKeel at tmckeel@goodwillfingerlakes.org or JoBeth Rath at jbrath@goodwillfingerlakes.org.
Saturday, October 21:
• “Coffee, Tea, Water: Essential Elements Expo” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Na’alehu Sports Park. Free Admission. Hosted by Stargazer Industries to celebrate the elements we cherish. Music and food will also be available.
Farmer Direct Markets
(Check websites for the latest hours and online markets)
Wednesday:
• “Ho‘oulu Farmers Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay
Saturday:
• “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center. Information on their online market: keauhoufarmersmarket.com/onlinemarket
• “Kamuela Farmer’s Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
• “Waimea Town Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea
• “Waimea Homestead Farmers Market” from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea middle and elementary school playground
Sunday:
• “Pure Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
• “Hamakua Harvest” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honoka’a.
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@hawaii.edu
Tuesdays &Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu – 322-4893 or walk in Mon., Tues. &Fri: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living part time in Kailua-Kona.
