Feature plant of this month

Liriodendron tulipifera
Tulip Tree

Beautiful large garden tree having unique bluish-green leaves; gives spectacular show of yellow fall color. In warm season, displays handsome tulip-shaped greenish-yellow and orange flowers. Deciduous. Full sun. Fast grower to 50 feet or more tall and 30 feet or more wide.

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List of past newsletter issues:

..... formal hedge .....

..... small trees .....

..... private garden .....

..... ground covers ......

..... landscape lights .....

..... designing your entrance .....

..... building a retaining wall .....

..... garden features .....

..... winter gardens .....

..... house plants .....

..... conifers .....

..... winter preparation .....

..... garden year-round....

..... starting your landscape job .....

..... shade garden ......

Palace Gardens

I would like to give you a quick tour of the historical palace gardens that I went to visit during my stay recently in my home town of Prague. These palace gardens are inviting to spectators due to their unique layouts that evolved over centuries.

Built right below the Prague Castle is complex of five neighbouring palaces. From the palaces built on steep slopes below up to the castle walls are amazing terraced gardens.

First, they were built as vinyards then were later converted into Italian-style renaissance gardens to fulfill the leisure and amusement needs of the owners. Gazebos and "sala terenas" (outdoor concert amphitheatres partially covered for acoustic purposes) were necessary parts of the design.

In the middle-fifteenth century, gardens were renewed in the baroque style, numerous sculptures were installed on balustraded terraces and monumental stairways and fountains were built.

Now, you can visit these gardens and admire the artwork as well as the impressive view overlooking the city of Prague. As long as you are not running up and down the stairs trying to see everything as I did, it is the most relaxing and romantic setting you can imagine. Many generations of lovers have sat on these benches placed between steep stairways and terraces covered with vines. Do not be surprised if you loose track of time while observing the city below, if that happens the sundial fresco will help you get back on track.

I admire the determination our ancestors had to make every piece of land useful and artful. In such a setting, people could pick their every day herbs or admire spectacular pieces of art surrounded by exotic plants, while listening to concertos playing below. The steep bank that could have been merely a nuisance evolved over the centuries and we can now enjoy the gardens, thanks to generations of people who cared to preserve it.

Viktorie Hladik
Horticulturist
Landscape Designer