From Barcelona to Bordighera: Palm Gardens on Mediterranean Shores
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PALMS Pintaud: Mediterranean Palm Gardens Volume 46(3) 2002 From Barcelona JEAN-CHRISTOPHE PINTAUD to Bordighera: IRD, UMR DGPC Laboratoire GENETROP 911 Avenue Agropolis Palm Gardens on BP 64501 34394 Montpellier Mediterranean Cedex 5, France Shores 1. Native Chamaerops humilis south of Barcelona. The species occurs in large numbers on rocky limestone slopes in front of the sea. Palms and palm landscapes are acknowledged as symbols of exoticism and as such contribute greatly in attracting people, especially tourists, to the Mediterranean region. Thus there is a need to preserve the region’s many historical palm gardens. Municipalities play a very important role in the conservation of the palm heritage. Nice has a network of parks, mostly originating from ancient private properties, and is developing a new botanical garden. The cities of San Remo, Menton, Cannes, Hyères, Toulon and Le Pradet are developing comprehensive new palm collections in old, renovated gardens, often in association with the French Palm Society (Fous de Palmiers). PALMS 46(3): 149–153 149 PALMS Pintaud: Mediterranean Palm Gardens Volume 46(3) 2002 The northwestern part of the Mediterranean Sea cultivation, the date palm will completely and adjacent European continent have an disappear. unusually warm climate for this latitude Bordighera’s date palms also played an important (41–44°N). Palms reach the northern limit of their role in several respects in the 19th century natural distribution there, with the Mediterranean development of the Riviera. Early palm land- fan palm Chamaerops humilis. This species is a scaping was made with Bordighera’s palms, the typical component – an indicator – of the warmest only significant source of well-grown plants before Mediterranean vegetation zone. People realized the establishment of nurseries. The German very early on that this zone was most favorable for botanist Ludwig Winter created a botanical garden the cultivation of plants from warm climates, on the lower Sasso valley, just in front of the date especially palms. palm plantings. His garden contains a great Chamaerops humilis diversity of palm species, often planted in groups of several individuals. This method of planting The Mediterranean fan palm occurs sporadically which is now standard in botanical gardens was and is of doubtful indigenous status in the area experimental at the time. considered. It begins to be a major component of the vegetation just south of Barcelona (Fig. 1). In Great plant collectors and gorgeous palm France and northern Italy, it is difficult to assess landscaping on the Rivieras its status due to urban and garden development The introduction of exotic palms outdoors in the along the coast. Some small populations, including Mediterranean region began in the early 19th large, mature specimens exist in apparently natural century with the development of plant conditions (Médail & Quézel 1996). The Medi- exploration in Asia, Australia, North and South terranean fan palm is extensively used in America. Intrepid botanists, horticulturists and landscaping. Its clustering and relatively small plant collectors brought countless new species into habit is unusual among the commonly cultivated cultivation in European conservatories. A few palm species and, as it is native, it is especially well species where tried and soon established in adapted to the climate. There is a great variability Mediterranean gardens. in habit, leaf color, indument and shape, which make this species even more interesting. From 1860, botanical collections developed rapidly in the Mediterranean region as botanists and The date palm at Bordighera wealthy plant-loving landowners realized the The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) has been potential for the cultivation of subtropical and cultivated at Bordighera, near the Italian-French tropical plants. At Nice, Viscount Vigier developed border, at least since the 16th century, for religious a splendid garden, with a special interest for rare purposes (Castellana 2001). The date palm groves and new palms. He introduced three plants of are established on a succession of terraces Phoenix canariensis outdoors in 1864, bought from maintained by dry stone walls built on the steep the famous Linden Nursery, at Gand, Belgium. slopes of the Sasso Valley, and irrigated by a Phoenix canariensis rapidly appeared to be a complex network of canals and tanks. The number majestic palm perfectly adapted to the climate of of palm trees was estimated at around 15,000 at the Riviera. Chabaud, who formally described the the beginning of the 20th century. The palms were species in 1882, was especially active in promoting densely planted and the largest stems generally it into cultivation on the Riviera : “The Canary cut to promote resprouting and maintain easy date palm is the most majestic, the most sumptuous, access to the crowns. The leaves were processed for the most marvelous of all Phoenix species. It grows both Christian Palm Sunday and Jewish New Year magnificently outdoors and produces, by its exuberant ceremonies. and opulent vegetation as well as by its wonderful and grandiose appearance this peculiar style of the Riviera The abandonment of the date palm cultivation which seduces the visitors: it reigns as the master and and its irrigation system after World War II resulted king” (Chabaud 1915). in major changes in the landscape. In the highest parts of the valley neglected palms began to suffer Near the Spanish border, at Collioure, another or die from drought and nutrient deficiencies. prominent French botanist, Charles Naudin, Many of these palms that appeared useless and in developed an experimental garden where he the way were cut down. At present, 90 % of the introduced many plant species, and especially palms have disappeared (1500 remain), but palms, between 1868 and 1878. Among the palms paradoxically, the visual effect of Sasso Valley has planted were Trachycarpus martianus, Butia yatay never been so pleasing as it is today. However, if and Jubaea chilensis. As Chabaud did with Phoenix nothing is done rapidly to regenerate the canariensis, Naudin spent much energy to promote 150 PALMS Pintaud: Mediterranean Palm Gardens Volume 46(3) 2002 the cultivation of Jubaea. He obtained seeds from a whole planting of numerous species (Fig. 6). A Chile, encouraged nurserymen to grow it and fine example is the Chateau de la Moutte at Saint wrote numerous articles about this palm in Tropez, which has extensive palm collections horticultural reviews. As numerous seeds were including several very large Jubaea, many Butia, imported on several occasions, the cultivation of Brahea, Washingtonia, Phoenix and Chamaerops. A Jubaea was established on a wide genetic basis, similar assortment of species is found in Parc des resulting in a great diversity of shape, color, growth Capellans at Saint Cyprien. Sometimes a whole patterns and fruit size of the trees (Fig. 2). plot a palms was planted, in rows, just as people planted vines. In late 19th–early 20th century, two dedicated plant collectors were especially active with palm Modern palm landscaping introduction on the French Riviera – Dr. Axel Modern palm landscaping relies heavily on the Robertson Proschowsky at Nice and Eugene Mazel availability of mature – or at least large – at Golfe Juan. Just like today’s palm enthusiasts, specimens. Fast growing species such as Phoenix they introduced – with more or less success – about canariensis, Washingtonia robusta or Syagrus every palm species potentially suitable for romanzoffiana are produced in large quantities in outdoors cultivation available in the seed and Italy, France or Spain. Many other species are nursery market. Their observations on frost directly imported as mature plants from their hardiness were especially interesting. Robertson country of origin. Unfortunately, several pests and Proschowsky maintained Acrocomia aculeata, diseases were also introduced with the palms Copernicia alba, Chambeyronia macrocarpa and (Mercier & Louvet 1973). Such introductions may Livistona mariae among many other species. Mazel seriously threaten palm cultivation in the grew a sizable specimen of Polyandrococos Mediterranean region. caudescens and Rhopalostylis sapida flowered in his garden in 1882. Golfe Juan was at the forefront of Conclusions palm cultivation at this time. Apart from Mazel’s Palm fashion is spreading around the garden, Edouard André, the well known Mediterranean shores, and urban landscapes show landscaper, had his garden there (Villa Colombia) daily changes towards more palm plantings. The with interesting palms. André also designed a long history of palm introduction in magnificent palm garden at Golfe Juan for the Mediterranean Europe gives countless oppor- Count of Eprémesnil (Le Jardin des Cocotiers), tunities for the visitor to discover beautiful gardens with impressive plantings of Syagrus romanzioffiana and palm specimens (Fig. 7). However, the producing a very tropical effect. Nabonnand, development of the ornamental palm business has immortalized by the hybrid × Butiagrus its drawbacks. Measures need to be taken to nabonnandii, also established a nursery at Golfe promote palm plantings and species diversity Juan. without compromising the future of palm At the time all these botanical and collector’s landscaping with the introduction of new pests gardens were being developed, palm landscaping and diseases, which can quickly become out of flourished everywhere in the cities of the Riviera control. (Fig. 3). Luxurious hotels