Polish plant species in high demand

Polish plant species in high demand

Księżna Łowicka is a Polish variety of Iris, a variety that was considered extinct. Its successful restoration was possible thanks to EU finding. This flower is a genus of over a thousand species of plants that are a part of the Polish horticulture heritage. Visitors can see the plants in the Wojsławice Arboretum, a branch of the Wrocław University Botanic Garden.

The name of the Polish Millennium Garden refers to the 1000-year jubilee of the successful Battle of Niemcza, or Nimptsch (in 1017). The Arboretum is actually situated in the vicinity of a historical stronghold. The tradition of Polish plant nursing and breeding extends over 220 years. Due to turbulent nature of Polish history, the country has lost some of its legacy. After 1945, access to world innovation in horticulture was difficult, and better prospects only appeared after 1989.

‘To make our dream come true, we resorted to EU funding and established the Polish Millennium Garden. In one of its two branches, we collected Polish varieties of ornamental and fruit plants bred by domestic horticulturists. We have a collection of more than 1000 species. Moreover, the garden collection occupying over 5 ha can be further developed. The second branch focuses on the preservation of nearly extinct species, says Hanna Grzeszczak-Nowak, the Deputy Director of the Wrocław University Botanic Garden.

Although the majority of the collection comprises plants bred after 1945, the project helped to find species that were considered extinct, e.g. Księżna Łowicka (or Iris). ‘We have made Polish horticulturists and breeders proud, and they started breeding and putting on display their wonderful creations. We have also triggered a demand for Polish varieties,’ the Director of the Arboretum said proudly.

The first plant monograph
The Project enabled the Wrocław University to publish the ‘Catalogue of 1000 Polish Species’. It is the first complete monograph on indigenous Polish species.

The conservation of the Polish flora is a statutory aim of the institution. The new garden project has a yet more important role to play, namely it is a bank of live genes of indigenous plant species. The genes can be used for research or developing new hybrids.

Project: Polish Millennium Garden
Project cost: over PLN 2.3 million, including approx. PLN 1.4 million from the European Regional Development Fund, Dolnośląskie Regional Programme