Botanic Gardens: Changing Perceptions of Plants (Chapter 12)

Botanic gardens, with roots tracing back to ancient China and formalized in Europe by the 16th century, serve as vital repositories of plant collections for scientific study, education, and conservation. The Padua Botanical Garden (1545), one of the earliest European models, exemplifies this legacy, maintaining its original geometric layout for over 300 years—a design that influenced garden aesthetics across Europe. Key figures like Luca Ghini and Andrea Cesalpino pioneered plant classification and herbarium techniques, establishing foundational practices still central to botanic gardens today. These institutions reflect historical botanical advancements, from university-driven collections (e.g., Bologna, Leiden) to imperial expansions (e.g., Kew, Calcutta), while also promoting biodiversity conservation and public engagement with nature. Their enduring significance lies in their dual role as heritage sites and dynamic research hubs, bridging cultural history and scientific progress.

Prance, G. T., & Davis, P. (2016). 12 Botanic Gardens: Changing Perceptions of Plants. Changing Perceptions of Nature, 129–140. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781782046738-017