When we were walking around Le Petit-Pressigny during our Whitsun break we came across a petit jardin that we hadn't noticed before.
Édouard François André was born in Bourges , Cher (17 July 1840 – 25 October 1911) and was a French horticulturalist and landscape designer. During his life André designed around a hundred public and private landscape parks, mainly in Europe .
He was appointed Head Gardener (Jardinier Principal) of Paris and designed and planted the Parc des Buttes Chaumont and Tuileries Gardens.
In 1866, at the age of 26, he when he won the competition to design Sefton Park in Liverpool.
The distinctive features used by André in his parks include harmonious placement and pleasing arrangement of artificial grottos, waterfalls, mountain-style stone structures.
Édouard André died in La Croix, and was interred in Montmartre Cemetery, Paris.
This photograph of the petit jardin was taken today. What a difference in seven weeks ......
I haven't seen this garden either, but I'm very familiar with the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. I think Edouard André would have been part of a team for the Parc BC, not the sole designer (he doesn't get a mention in the Wiki entry for the Parc, for instance).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information Susan.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I didn't have a clue who he was until I googled him, but I think you are right about him being part of a team of designers. He won the competition for Sefton park alongside a local landscape designer called Lewis Hornblower.
I couldn't find whether he had any particular links with LP-P. The little garden is on the road out of the village to LG-P, just before the Chaumussay turn.
Isn't it lovely? We've admired it every time we come past, but we've never stopped to look closer.
ReplyDeleteI am sure this bit of rain we have finally had would have made a huge difference. I cannot believe how my garden has changed since Nigel arrived with his hat:-) He leaves tomorrow...... :-( Diane
ReplyDeleteLovely! We've never stopped to have a proper look but will do next time we pass.
ReplyDeletePauline and Antoinette,
ReplyDeleteNext time you call in to see us we could take a walk down.It is certainly very well looked after.
Diane,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that Nigel has to return to the UK, but if the weather reports for the past couple of weeks are to believed, I won't be sorry to see the back of his hat!!!
Hello Gaynor:
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely fascinating little piece of history you post about today. This is all completely new to us and we are most intrigued now to find out more, and in particular about Sefton Park as we have a nephew living in Liverpool.
Jane and Lance,
ReplyDeleteIf wikipedia is to be believed Edouard was also involved in other projects all over Europe and there is also a link with Montivideo.Perhaps he is listed in one of your many gardening books?