Today there are 4 Expirimental Gardens on site:
- The river garden (2009)
- The first experimental garden (2011)
- The Australien experimental garden (2017)
- The third experimental garden (2018)
Context.
The plants which are to be planted in the Botanical Garden are all from areas with a Mediterranean climate (mainly characterized by a hot and dry summer and mild and wet winter). However, many micro climates exist in these areas and plants are very sensitive. For example, some species grow only on mountain slopes with a given orientation, others only grow in sheltered gorges or open areas very exposed to wind and sun. Our bibliographic research gives a first idea how to plant them. That's why we built a library. (To see the list, "Click Here".) Gradually we create all the microclimates in test gardens and we observe the reaction of plants.
Means of action.
Various types of actions are necessary. First, a suitable landscape should be created through for example the use of rock fill, earth formations and the creation of an artificial river. Then, we will have to unite compatible plants, bearing in mind their need for sunlight or shade. In addition, the soils needed vary from one plant to another (clay soil, humus, sand ...) so it is necessary to imitate these substrates. Similarly, irrigation should be adapted in quantity (frequency, intensity) and quality (pH, fertilizer). Finally more specific ways like misting and heating will be used to re-create specific atmospheres such as high humidity or to assure a frost free environment.
Study.
To see if the right microclimate has been achieved, we will be monitoring this here as well as the health of the plants. To do this, sensors for temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation will be installed at various points. Plant health will be assessed by monitoring and continuous observation and by measuring their chlorophyll content using a chlorophyll meter (SPAD502 + Konica Minolta). Chlorophyll is a pigment essential for photosynthesis, which is the process essential to the proper development of the plants. Its content and its evolution is therefore a good indicator of the state of the plants. In addition, the amount of water used for irrigation will be measured in order to adjust it as accurate as possible.
The Numbers.
For more information, "Click here".
To offer a consistent layout (see left) we have been working on the final designs ever since the start of the project. Improving it yearly with the knowledge we gain from the test gardens. The coloured circles help to identify the plants, designated by numbers from our database. Attached to each number are all the necessary information to place each taxon in the drawing, including its size at the time of planting and also after 5, 10, 20 and 50 years. If we change the information, the design will automatically change accordingly.
The final goal is to provide a "natural" landscape while mastering its development.
We work with nurseries and specialized seed suppliers, but despite this we remain vigilant about the veracity of the identification. Our procedure includes the following steps:
So we merge the real and the virtual. Using a phone or a tablet connected to the website, this allows visitors to walk and access the garden plan and zoom in the finest detail that shows points on which they can 'click' to get ' the HTML file of each taxa.
In order to mimic the natural environment as closely as possible, we have to buy seeds at seed specialists because very few plants can be purchased directly from nurseries.
When we acquire seeds, a part is entrusted to specialized nurseries (Arven, Issa, Railhet, Arvan, Cavatore and Monde des Fougères). These ones ensure germination in their greenhouses. All the rest of the seeds is sown by us in our seedling greenhouses or own climatchamber. As soon as the plants are resistant enough they pass into acclimation greenhouses and/or our shading greenhouse where they grow further, before planted them in test gardens.
The most sensitives plants are cultivated on the terrace in order to keep a watchful eye and respond immediately to the needs of the plants.
Situated behind the castle, the nursery has been installed since 2005. We collect plants to be planted in the actual gardens. Thanks to its different sun exposures the plants get prepared. The space also allows us to stock and cultivate ground-cover- or fast proliferation plants.
Some plants are not transplantable and are therefore maintained in containers until they are planted permanently. They are therefore placed in specialized nurseries as our nursery for Eucalypts. We grow them in Airpot® because they do not make big roots and the small roots are stopped by the light without turning in the pot.
Next to the first test garden, we have installed raised rectangles of acclimatization to test succulent plants and cactus that can be found for example in the Karoo regions of South Africa and the Mattoral region of Chili.
