The Wilanów Palace invites you to an exhibition of summer flower arrangements inspired by the garden art of the 19th century. This season's main character is begonia, symbolizing eternal beauty and elegance. Several dozen thousand ornamental plants have been planted on the flower beds and beds in the palace gardens.
summer flowers of the Wilanów gardens, photo: Jacek Kuśmierski, Wilanów Museum
The 19th century saw a dynamic development of science and trade on a global scale, which had a strong influence on the flourishing of garden art in Europe. New species of plants available on the market and effective cultivation and breeding techniques contributed to the creation of new, beautiful flower gardens. Decorations in the form of flower beds, arabesques and carpeted flower beds were distinguished by a large variety of species and varieties, contrasting color combinations of flowers and leaves, and fanciful forms.
They were used in the most representative parts of the residence: in the courtyards and near the main entrances, by the terraces, park buildings and the most important viewing axes. Additionally, the plants were planted in tiers - from the highest in the middle to the lowest on the edges, which allowed for a better exposure of their values. The flower arrangements were supplemented with exotic plants planted in the ground in containers.
New trends also appeared in Wilanów, thanks to Aleksandra and August Potocki, who showed an exceptional interest in gardening. In 1852 and 1853, they organized charity garden exhibitions in the Orangery, during which special compositions of plants from Wilanów greenhouses were presented. A few years later, they built the Flower Garden (today's Rose Garden) by their residential apartments in the southern wing of the palace, according to the design of the architect Bolesław Paweł Podczaszyński. On the Upper Terrace, in front of the garden facade of the palace, flower beds planted with flowers and exotic plants appeared.
Countess Aleksandra Potocka also financially supported the development of horticultural education. In 1873, she funded a scholarship for Edmund Jankowski, one of the most important Polish gardeners of the 19th century, thanks to which he was able to go on an internship at the School of Tree Breeding in Paris. After his return, he dedicated one of his most important publications to his benefactress: "Flowers of our gardens" published in 1877 and reprinted many times. This book was based on excellent studies on the selection and composition of plants written by, among others, the French gardening company Vilmorin-Andrieux, Hermann Jäger - director of the Gardens of the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in Weimar, and Ferdinand Jühlke - director of the Royal Prussian Gardens in Potsdam.
Konrad Brandel, Wilanów, palace from the garden, ca. 1868, Museum of Photography in Kraków, inventory no. MHF 22666/II
The display of summer flower plantings evokes the 19th-century atmosphere of the Wilanów gardens and reminds us of the excellent traditions of European garden art. This season, the main character is the begonia, symbolizing eternal beauty and elegance. It was brought to Europe from South America by Charles Plumier, botanist to King Louis XIV of France. Its genus name was given in honor of Michel Bégon, naturalist and governor of the colony of Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti). In Poland, it was once called "miter" because of its alternately arranged leaves with asymmetrical blades with different angles of bevel at the base. This plant gained particular popularity in Victorian gardens thanks to its numerous, small flowers that lasted from the first days of summer until late autumn.
A total of 26,000 ornamental plants were planted in the flower beds and borders in the Wilanów gardens. They are accompanied by over 130 pots and vases. The plantings were carefully composed of species most characteristic of the garden art of the 19th century: marigolds, heliotropes, impatiens, geraniums, and daisies. For the first time, we present angelonia, known for its long summer blooming flowers resembling snapdragons.
The show was prepared and performed by the team of the Garden Department of the Museum of King Jan III's Palace in Wilanów.
We also encourage you to admire the summer plants presented in the remaining palace gardens. Please do not touch or destroy the plants.
Prepared by - Kamila Domańska, Jacek Kuśmierski
Source - Museum of King Jan III's Palace in Wilanów
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