Sitting appropriately near the“Phytovalley”, off the shores of Lake Constance, the Island of Mainau is known as “Flower Island”. It contains 45 hectares of botanical displays including a 150-year old arboretum.
Being amongst garden displays makes me reflect on the ethnobotanical importance of the plants showcased across Mainau’s gardens. Beyond their obvious beauty, many of these plants have played essential roles as foods, medicines, and raw materials in cultures worldwide, long before they became known primarily for their decorative value.
Our longstanding practice of cultivating garden plants isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about preserving knowledge of their multifaceted uses and the stories they carry.
Yet today, most people see them only as “pretty flowers,” forgetting the deeper history embedded in their leaves, roots, and blossoms.
By visiting places like Mainau, we reconnect not just with nature’s beauty, but with centuries of practical wisdom, and perhaps inspire ourselves to look beyond the surface.
And no wonder these butterflies next to me look so happy (perching on Psychotria viridiflora)!
➡️How about you? …Have you ever pondered the potential uses of the plants in your garden (beyond beauty)?
To see more pics from this visit, see: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kerry-hughes-941353_visiting-flower-island-sitting-activity-7370488120854671360-3YGM?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAANEoEBzLdbgS9fjLoyZvrkZbXD8Nj5SFM