More than 2,300 gardens are open to the public during the 3-days “Rendez-vous aux Jardins” event. The 2019 edition of the Rendez-vous aux Jardins, which will be held from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th June 2019, will be dedicated to the theme “Animals in the garden”. From the smallest to the grandest gardens, thousands of people get involved in this event, which now takes place on a European scale, with nearly 3,000 gardens open to the public in 2019. Historic, contemporary, exotic, urban and vegetable gardens can all be explored, as well as numerous allotments.
Conceived to stimulate the senses and showcase the diversity and richness of gardens, “Rendez-vous aux Jardins” has, since its launch in 2002, celebrated the creativity and culture of gardening, and its essential role in our wellbeing in both urban and rural settings – a role that is more essential than ever at a time of intensive urbanisation. There are many types of garden, public and private, from vast parks to modest domestic gardens. They span history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. They can be contemporary or futuristic, designed to produce food or to preserve plants in collections. They are exotic, poetic, extravagant and therapeutic. All are the fruit of human passion, of constant and close attention, and of inherited wisdom that must be safeguarded and passed on to future generations. “Rendez-vous aux Jardins” is a pioneering initiative to bring everyone together through gardens – owners, growers, landscape designers, historians, schools, budding enthusiasts and seasoned specialists – over three days, in the largest celebration of gardens in Europe. In 2019, “Rendez-vous aux Jardins” continues to pursue its trajectory with “Europe of Gardens”, instigated in 2018, this time with 20 countries taking part. After the Europe-wide scheme was launched in 2018 with 16 participating countries, and its popularity among professionals and the public alike, this year 20 countries have signed up to take part in “Rendez-Vous aux Jardins”. The theme for 2019 is “Animals in the garden” aims to emphasize the necessary balance between biodiversity and ecosystems and the role played by fauna in the garden. With the current focus on chemical-free gardening, some creatures are seen as a nuisance, while others are valued as allies for the future flourishing of our gardens. Whether wild, domesticated or even sculpted, animals are magnificent residents of all our historical and contemporary parks and gardens.
The Flora Journal 