To answer your questions... Artem Parshin, Deputy Director of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University, 'Apothecary Garden', Moscow.

Festival 'Exotic Winter' photo: Apothecary Garden, Moscow.

Now that days are shorter and colder, now that winter shows its strenght, now it is time to escape in the warm greenhouses of the Apothecary Garden in Moscow. Coloured and exotic orchids will welcome you, precious exotic flowers against the silent garden waiting for spring. 

In a previous post, I explored the long history of this garden founded by Tsar Peter I in 1706,  and here are some questions I asked to Artem Parshin, Landscape architect and Deputy Director of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University, 'Apothecary Garden.' 

These are his kind, enthusiastic and prompt answers.

TravelinaGarden: Different elements in the garden remind us of the past (pond, greenhouses, paths, statues, old trees) but the general effect is that of a contemporary garden. Why did the garden choose this solution?  

Artem Parshin: We value our atmosphere that stands quite apart from the rest of Moscow parks and gardens - that is often intangible and it is difficult to say what exactly is different. That includes the deliberate choice of materials (no asphalt, concrete pavement etc. The paths have actually been recently restored using the old techniques. The pond, too, was restored with "clay lock" method.

TravelinaGarden: I read that artificial mounds where created in Russia to enjoy distant views and for sledges. Do you know when and why the mound was created? 

Artem Parshin: The spiral mound is a relatively new creation - less that 10 years. It is indeed a widely used feature in Russian estate parks but on a much larger scale. The purpose of this one is no divide the uneasy space around is, to screen of the sight of intrusive building, to provide a vantage point for the nearby garden (former medicilnan plants; Dahlia Garden from next summer on), to be a fun place for children of all ages, and to host a collection of Crocus that bloom a months ahead of normal time, in March, on the southern side.

TravelinaGarden: There are several plant collections in the garden (ferns-lilac-paeonies). Are these related to traditional Russian plants cultivated around Moscow? Is the garden developping new plant collections?

Artem Parshin: Lilacs are very traditional and much loved in Russian gardens. Tree peonies have first been cultivated and bred in this garden (now the core of the collection is of our main territory near the University and there are locally selected varieties). Ferns is a new collection, as well as Ericaceous plants (Heather hill). There is also a new collection of coniferoud plants  (conceived three years ago, won a National Landscape Architecture Award this year). We also opened a new Medicinal Herbs Garden (photo attached) last October - tracing the XVIII century patterns of this garden that are themselves, of course, much older. We are also buiding a new exposition of Plants of Middle Russia - native plants of the region - in collaboration with some natonal parks and nature reserves. Gosh, that's a lot of new collections! And they are all fitted into the historic fabric of the garden.

TravelinaGarden: There is a great attention in restoring and building new greenhouses. Are Russian visitors more interested in discovering plants from different countries or their own flora today?


Artem Parshin: Exotic plants are important to be able to tell the full story but as I said we are now trying draw attention to local flora as well.

TravelinaGarden: Is the garden more involved in the study and hybridisation of plants (as in the past) or in conservation and reintroduction of native species?

Artem Parshin: There is less science on our agenda these days that it used to be before, at times. But our educational programs are very active for all kinds of audiences - school children, teachers, students, medical students, art colleges, gardening lovers etc.

TravelinaGarden: Which are the plans for the garden in the near future?

Artem Parshin: Massive revitalisation of our glasshouses - reconstruction of the Subtropical House, new section for succulents, tropical herbaceous plants, ethnobotany, Landscape design festival akin to Chaumont sur Loire and much more.


Photos:
TravelinaGarden, Moscow, June 2013.
Except:
Orchids, Apotechary Garden, December 2013.
Link:http://hortus.ru/

Link:
Ботанический сад МГУ «Аптекарский огород»

Проспект Мира, 26

 http://hortus.ru/