Founded in 1758 by letters patent of Stanislas Leszczynski, Duke of Lorraine and Bar, the Nancy Botanical Garden has had a rich and eventful history. Moved several times, damaged during the Second World War and constantly changing, it has maintained its richness and influence far beyond the borders of Lorraine and even of France. Among its most illustrious admirers were Joséphine de Beauharnais, who gave the garden several lots of plants from the imperial collections at Malmaison, as well as Victor Lemoine, François-Félix Crousse and Émile Gallé. In the heyday of the École de Nancy, the garden naturally became a source of inspiration and a place of rest in an urban setting. The diversity and quality of its collections are now recognised by its status as a National Botanical Conservatory, granted by the Ministry of the Environment in 1990. Less well known is the begonia collection, which is nevertheless substantial.
With 272 taxa, including 198 botanical species, the garden’s collection holds species from the entire range of the genus Begonia, displayed in alphabetical order. Growing conditions are those of a warm temperate greenhouse (minimum 18°C at night and maximum 25 to 30°C by day). Watering is fully automated. The substrate is a classic mix of leaf mould, fine bark, peat, perlite and sand, in proportions that vary with the species. Emmanuel Chasselin has managed the collection since 2008. The greenhouse is strikingly lush. Depending on their needs, plants hang close to the glass in bright light, sit on the benches for the more shade-loving (sciaphilous) species, and even underneath them: Begonia evansiana seems to enjoy this dim but competition-free spot. There are few pest or disease problems, apart from an outbreak of vine weevil larvae a few years ago, now under control. Biological control effectively limits scale insects and mites. Over the years, the collection has grown through regular contacts with European botanical gardens and with amateur collections. Recently, cuttings have been exchanged with Le Havre, Rochefort and Lyon; in earlier years with Halle in Germany, Glasgow in Scotland…
The genus Begonia is probably unique in the diversity of foliage, habit and flowering it brings together. The collection gives a good overview: B. staudtii Gilg., from Nigeria, delights with its fully saturated yellow flowers, in striking contrast with its puckered, spring-green foliage. B. isoptera Dryander ex J.E. Smith, from Java, is more discreet in its even, bright green colour, but has an almost animal presence reminiscent of an ancient saurian. This species is rarely seen in collections. The texture of the leaves of B. olbia Kerchove, from Brazil, recalls precious fabrics – green and black brocades against which the white lace of the flowers stands out. A mystery of nature copying itself… the leaves of B. philodendroides Ziesenhenne are reminiscent of a tropical aroid, while those of B. alnifolia A. DC. look like alder leaves. We would like to mention them all… but let us stop there, as the list would soon become tedious! Beyond its beauty, the begonia collection fits squarely within the goals of the Jardin du Montet.
Informations pratiques
Conservatoire et jardins botaniques de Nancy, 100 rue du jardin botanique, 54600 Villers-lès-Nancy.
03.83.41.47.47 / accueilcjbn@grand-nancy.org / www.cjbn.uhp-nancy.fr
Unless otherwise stated, the botanical garden is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 5 pm. The greenhouses are open from 2 pm to 5 pm. On Saturdays, the park and greenhouses are open from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Admission: €4 for the greenhouses only; the park is free.
