The Gardens of Malmaison

[LouisFerdinand]

Josephine, the wife of Napoleon, purchased the lovely park at Malmaison together with its chateau in France.
At the Chateau de Malmaison Josephine collected and cultivated plants from all around the world. She planted three flowers that recalled her husband's conquests: the Lily of the Nile, Parma violets, and Damietta rose.

Lily of the Nile

Parma Violets
http://www.photopaulm.com/2017/01/20/parma-violets

 

[asadur709]

This is really a wonderful thing to plant flowers in order to remind the husband. I myself am a flower boyfriend, I have planted several flower trees which are my feet to walk

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Josephine created an extensive collection of roses. Plants were gathered from her native Martinique and from other places around the world. She grew some 250 varieties of roses.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Exotic Border at Chateau de Malmaison

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571957221400239020/

 

[LouisFerdinand]

In 1804 Josephine decided to assemble in her garden a sample of every living rose. She ordered many of her roses from English nurseries, principally Lee & Hammersmith, where she spent 2,600 pounds in 1803 alone.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

In 1801 Empress Josephine employed architects Charles Percier and Pierre-Francois-Leonard Fontaine. They enclosed the park and built stables and hot houses. However, their work was not to her taste. Later, she hired architect Louis Martin Berthault.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Malmaison flowers
https://flic.kr/p/hsaTbi

 

[DirtMechanic]

In 1804 Josephine decided to assemble in her garden a sample of every living rose. She ordered many of her roses from English nurseries, principally Lee & Hammersmith, where she spent 2,600 pounds in 1803 alone.

So it turns out some intrepid soul put a internet calculator up that will allow one to see the 2600 pound expense in current value. 265,064 pounds in 2019. I am not sure even @alp spends that much on flowers.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

So it turns out some intrepid soul put a internet calculator up that will allow one to see the 2600 pound expense in current value. 265,064 pounds in 2019. I am not sure even @alp spends that much on flowers.

@DirtMechanic, Recall that Josephine would become Empress of the French on December 2, 1804. Obviously Napoleon had a lot of money before he became Emperor.

 

[DirtMechanic]

@DirtMechanic, Recall that Josephine would become Empress of the French on December 2, 1804. Obviously Napoleon had a lot of money before he became Emperor.

Ohhh I am tempted to remark on what happened after but no. I did go see Napoleans tomb. 7 coffins, one inside the other, each carved of stone. It is remarkable how beloved he was\is by the French.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/511440101432965443/

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Empress Josephine had: Rosa Centifolla Bipinnata
https://flic.kr/p/u8mLPx

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Empress Josephine had: Rosa Gallica Pontiana

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/435090014007360808/

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Empress Josephine had: Rosa Indica

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/592153050987110810/

 

[LouisFerdinand]

It is recorded that Napoleon was not very pleased with Josephine for preferring to create an English garden.

 

[DirtMechanic]

The leaves must have been greener on the other side of the channel.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

The leaves must have been greener on the other side of the channel.

A splendid observation!

 

[DirtMechanic]

A splendid observation!

25 years of marriage. Napolean loved that girl, no doubt.

 

[Marck]

Since it has yet to be mentioned, Malmaison's greatest horticultural fame today is likely the renowned Bourbon Rose cultivar,
Rosa x 'Souvenir de la Malmaison'. Exceptionally full-petaled and fragrant, this rose of palest pink, with exceptional quartered form, is truly a famous and beloved classic.

Rosa x 'Souvenir de la Malmaison' was bred by Jean Béluze of Lyon, who likely produced this exceptional hybrid by crossing Rosa x 'Mme. Desprez' and Rosa x 'Devoniensis'. Also do take note that he named this rose after Chateau de Malmaison in 1843, long after Napoleon met his Waterloo, and both he and Joséphine left life and entered history.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

Josephine imported magnolias from America.
Acacia, melaleucca and eucalyptus trees were imported from Australia.