During my 2-month placement in the Botanical Garden of Leipzig, I had the possibility to experience working in all different parts of the garden (pictured in the map). These are:
- Systematic section
Plants are grouped by their belonging to certain families to afford students of the University and anyone interested a direct comparison of different species of one family. - Geographical sections
Different species are planted together according to their place of origin:
Forests of East Asia with Ginkgo biloba and Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Forest plants of Western and Eastern North America where a Pinus aristata is growing (one of the most long-living organisms)
Flora of the prairies (longgrass and shortgrass)
Forest plants of south-eastern Europe, characterised by Quercus pubescens, Ostrya carpinifolia and Corylus colurna
The alpinum complex mainly shows flora of the alpine and sub-alpine level of Europe and Asia
Flora of Newzealand and South America, comprises as well plants of the arctic floristic realm
Steppe plants of Europe and Asia with a variety of species, among them numerous spring flowers like crocus and wild tulips - Environmental sections
Native plants are presented according to their original habitats. To create optimal conditions for their special needs, different areas have been rebuilt in miniature:
Wood plants
Plants of bogs, moors and marsh areas
Vegetation of heath areas
Plants of limestone mountains - Arboretum
This collection contains trees and shrubs of various families, for example Catalpa-species and –hybrids, Paulownia, Ginkgo, Metasequoia and Magnolia-species.
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The whole structure of the area has been rearranged between 1998 and 2005. During this period three heated greenhouses, one unheated and one succulents greenhouse were built. All plants had to me moved to the satellite station in Liebert-Wolkwitz and removed to the Botanical Garden when the greenhouses were finished. The adjoining outline is not equal to the status quo. The old glasshouses were knocked down and greenhouses and office accommodation have been rebuilt. The open-air ground has been redesigned too. |
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I attended the better part of my placement in one of the heated greenhouses. I fulfilled various tasks: propagation of tropical plants by cuttings and seeds, cut of numerous plants, planting, tying up epiphytes, regular watering of orchids, insectivores and ferns, distribution of chrysalis and information of visitors.
The trainees also had to assume the labeling of plants after preparing the signs.
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| Chamfering.. | ... assembling | ... and positioning. |
After five weeks working in the greenhouses, I spent the rest of the time with different tasks in the systematic section, steppe, rockery and the other open-air areas of the Botanical Garden. Besides weeding and garden maintenance, I was responsible for propagation and planting of annuals.
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| American steppe | Pond | Rockery |
I had the opportunity to spent some time in the herb garden, which contains many herbs to treat diseases and ailments. It's a recent part of the Botanical Garden and lies beyond the garden walls. I was mainly occupied with preparing beds to be replanted with a large number of herbs. All plants are labeled to inform visitors about their use and effect. During this time, my interest in herbs has grown, what did help me to work out my thesis.
