Deja vu: Botanical garden

I spent both yesterday's afternoon and today's morning in the Botanical garden ( I did go home for a sleep lol). Although I never miss to visit this oasis of natural beauty whenever in the neighborhood, this time it was for their spring seedlings sale. Yesterday I came too late and today - well I failed to see the notice (in a large font!) that the sale is open only Mon-Fri 11-14. Bugger! We had a bit of an early morning thunderstorm with strong winds but after the clouds have cleared the weather was just amazing, as always after the rain. And what better place to find oneself than in a Botanical garden, with your camera (and low battery! drat) Even though I've only been there yesterday, it was like opening a new treasure chest all over again. And it seems I'll be there Monday. I've scanned through the plants they have for sale and seen quite a few extraordinary wonders that caused excessive salivation ;-)

this Sophora tree continues to mesmerize me...
(SOPHORA JAPONICA 'PENDULA' )















link to the Botanical garden Arboretum

Botanical garden Zagreb

Botanical garden - April

I couldn't hold my horses. I was thrilled to hear of Botanical garden's Opening of the season 2008 last week and planned to visit some time this week. But seeing all the windy weather, I thought by the time I get to visit the place, all the lovely trees in bloom will have lost half of their spring magic due to strong winds ( I know, not the kind of thing most people would worry about).
Anyway, I was punished for my wanton behaviour, as half of the garden was still temporarily inaccessible due to some digging about. I guess the gardeners and employees in there hibernated for too long. They should have done all that by now. It was sad to see some rear parts of the garden neglected. Hopefully someone will bring a touch of green thumb there soon. Nevertheless, always a pleasure to be reminded that there is more to life than cars and exhaust fumes.



The Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics was founded in 1889 by botany professor, Dr. Antun Heinz. The garden covers a surface of 4.7 ha. The main part of the botanical garden is the arboretum, built in the style of an English garden. The flower garden is built in the French style, with strict symmetrical lines. The eastern part of the botanical garden includes two artificial lakes, with wetland cedars growing nearby.



The four phytogeographical regions are represented: karst, alpine, Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean. Greenhouses are not open to the public, but a good portion is out in the open during the summer months (Mediterranean plants, palms, cacti and other succulents). Some 10,000 different plants species are grown in the Botanical garden. The collection is expanded with the exchange of seeds with other botanical gardens and arboreta throughout the world (some 350) or by the transfer of seeds or live plants from the original habitat.

The first plants were planted in 1892, after some preparatory work. Already by the end of that year, the garden was completed.

Always an oasis of calm in a busy city

I'm sure all of the fellow-gardeners know what I mean by saying that we are surrounded by such amazing diversity, and botanical gardens are just the right places to appreciate that.

Many old trees have surrendered

to the effects of the last years drought

I tried not to make records of the neglected parts of the garden, as I'll still give them a month or two to prove me wrong, but a certain Martian that followed me around managed to do just the opposite (I noticed that many gardeners out there are in some way related to Martians )

Travelogue: DUBROVNIK and its gardens

The fortified city of Dubrovnik, a World Heritage Site, also known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and "the pearl of Adriatic", was influenced by the great Renaissance and Gothic eras, "shining" with masterpieces of artwork and architecture. Dubrovnik Old town was built in the 13th century and remains almost untouched to the present day. It is known worldwide for the tall walls that surround the Old town. The natural and historical surroundings; crystal clear Adriatic sea around the islands dotted with cypress trees, hills, castles and cathedrals, create a magic atmosphere Dubrovnik is so famous for. The city's medieval charm opens with its many cafes, restaurants, galleries and shops happily lining its cobblestone streets and the main square. A living fairytale not to be missed and probably the most famous Croatian site.

Now that I've fulfilled my patriotic duty by letting everyone know which place not to miss next summer, I secretly admit there's a hidden motive that made me share this wonderful place with you. There's definitely more than a medieval spirit and beautiful coast to it all. There's gardens. And then there's more gardens. The Mediterranean part of Croatia is known in the field of garden history for the Renaissance gardens of southern Dalmatia, especially in the area around Dubrovnik. Shipbuilding, busy merchants and salt trade made Dubrovnik a very wealthy republic. True, this little heaven on earth was known as the Republic of Dubrovnik from the 15th century. What is more, since ancient times, the city's most valued commodity was its freedom.

The landed gentry and the rich used to build villas which formed a complex that included a garden and the surrounding landscape and they provided a rural life, delight and rest. I'll mention just the famous two which I last visited last summer: the Trsteno arboretum (25km NW of the Old town) and the botanical garden on the little island of Lokrum just opposite Dubrovnik. Trsteno arboretum was created by a local nobleman with a vision and aided by local sea captains who came home from their travels bearing gifts of exotic specimens. The centrepiece is a summer villa built in 1494. Rather than investing his wealth into a sprawling and luxurious home, he built a more modest abode and surrounded it with gardens in which his spirit could soar. Over the centuries, many people have invested their energy and soul into these beautiful gardens.



Southeast of Dubrovnik, just a breath away, like a guardian angel stands Lokrum island. Its beauty unshaded by the magnificent city. The very name Lokrum comes from the Latin, meaning sour fruit and it's a name that comes from the tradition of bringing and cultivating exotic plants from all corners of the world on the island and this tradition started in the time of the Benedictines. This tradition was nurtured through the whole existence of the Dubrovnik Republic and later on with the rule of the Maximilan
Ferdinand of Habsburg as he had a mansion built on the island in 1859 with a magnificent garden laid out, criss-crossed with pathways, full of amazing plants and botanical wonders, and other vegetation originating from Australia to South America. The island is also inhabited by families of peacocks.




The fact remains that it is the Benedictines who deserve the credit for creating lasting values in architecture and setting the bases of gardens and landscape design on the island, in their efforts to preserve and develop the green open space. With its long history of arranged, cultivated garden spaces, this island- park is by far without parallel in the entire Croatian heritage of garden design.