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The Hortus Botanicus Leiden, nestled in the heart of the city, is a historical gem and a tranquil retreat. Established in 1590, it holds the distinction of being the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, with a rich collection that has grown over four centuries. Visitors can explore the Orangery from 1744, tropical greenhouses from 1938, and a winter garden from 2000, each offering a unique glimpse into the plant kingdom. The garden's commitment to education and conservation is evident through its diverse flora, including exotic species and historical plants like the old Tuliptree from 1716 and the Ginkgo from 1785. It's a place where nature's beauty is preserved and celebrated, providing a serene escape from the bustling city life.
The Amorphophallus Titanum was in bloom just for 3 days.
A rare event.
Taken with Pixii and Voigtländer Color Skopar 21/4.
A few days ago, the media reported the discovery in Minas Gerais - Ah! What a Tolkien-sounding name - in southeastern Brazil of a Giant Sundew, Drosera magnifica. Apparently it can grow up to 1.5 metres high, almost as tall as a human being! Just imagine being caught up in its glittering viscous drops of sweet digestive fluid. A nightmare worthy of Frodo and his encounter with Shelob - evil in spider form - at Cirith Ungol leading to the land of Mordor.
But here on a much smaller scale is very pretty and elegant Cape Sundew, Drosera capensis. Johannes Burman (1707-1780), who wrote about plants from the Moluccas, Sri Lanka and the Cape Colony of South Africa, waxes elequent about Drosera's hues: 'elegantis purpurei sunt coloris'. This Sundew's flower blossoms 30 cm above a rosette from which spring those pin-sticky leaves that ensnare insects out for Sweets. Once caught, dissolution and digestion are quick upon our little fliers: all in all they're dissolved in about half an hour. You can just see the dark remnants of a small beastie in the lower left hand corner of this photo.
Hortus botanicus Haren-Groningen
It is one of the oldest and largest botanical gardens in the Netherlands. At the Hortus, which covers about 15 acres, there are a large number of very different gardens.
In addition to the various (botanical ) gardens, the Hortus also includes an authentic Chinese Ming garden with an authentic Chinese tea house. This garden, which has a different design than western gardens, is a gift from the city of Shanghai to the City and County of Groningen.
The Hortus was part of the University of Groningen (RUG) and until the 1980s’ played an important role in the teaching and research of Biology especially Plant Systematics. A national division of labor between universities and developments in science led to the minimization of the Hortus’ role within the RUG. Since 2002, the Stichting Behoud Groene Hortus (SBGH) has acted as custodian of the heritage of the RUG. As of 2012, the Hortus stands on its own feet financially.
In 1986, a Groningen trade mission visited several cities in China. While visiting a restaurant near the Long Hua temple in Shanghai, one of the members of the mission said that “they should have something like this in Groningen, too. And so it happened. Master Le Wei Zong, Shanghai’s famous urban garden architect, created the first designs during a visit to the Hortus. Shanghai provided construction materials and the Netherlands provided the necessary funds.
Almost all the material used to build the Chinese garden was shipped from China to the Netherlands, from the stones in the garden and the wood of the pavilions to the furniture of the Moaning of the Dragon Tea House. For seven months, dozens of Chinese workers laid out the park largely by hand, because “What you make by hand, you can put your soul into. The result of this cooperation between the Netherlands and Shanghai is the beautiful Chinese garden The Hidden Kingdom of Ming, which was officially opened by H.M. Queen Beatrix on April 12, 1995.
The Amorphophallus Titanum was in bloom just for 3 days.
A rare event.
Taken with Pixii and Voigtländer Color Skopar 21/4.
The Hortus Botanicus Leiden, nestled in the heart of the city, is a historical gem and a tranquil retreat. Established in 1590, it holds the distinction of being the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, with a rich collection that has grown over four centuries. Visitors can explore the Orangery from 1744, tropical greenhouses from 1938, and a winter garden from 2000, each offering a unique glimpse into the plant kingdom. The garden's commitment to education and conservation is evident through its diverse flora, including exotic species and historical plants like the old Tuliptree from 1716 and the Ginkgo from 1785. It's a place where nature's beauty is preserved and celebrated, providing a serene escape from the bustling city life.