{"id":48991,"date":"2015-02-16T10:00:37","date_gmt":"2015-02-16T15:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.nybg.org\/plant-talk\/?p=48991"},"modified":"2015-02-13T17:11:16","modified_gmt":"2015-02-13T22:11:16","slug":"a-propos-des-jardins-a-conversation-with-alexandre-de-vogue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nybg.org\/blogs\/plant-talk\/2015\/02\/adult-education\/a-propos-des-jardins-a-conversation-with-alexandre-de-vogue\/","title":{"rendered":"A Propos des Jardins: A Conversation with Alexandre de Vog\u00fc\u00e9"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Alexandre<\/a>
Alexandre de Vog\u00fc\u00e9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next week, we take an intimate look into Andr\u00e9 Le N\u00f4tre\u2019s 17th<\/sup>-century masterwork of the formal gardens of Ch\u00e2teau de Vaux le Vicomte<\/a> outside of Paris as part of our 15th<\/sup> annual Winter Lecture Series, Le Jardin Fran\u00e7ais<\/em><\/a>. During his presentation Thursday, February 19, the co-proprietor and fifth-generation owner of this landmark family estate, Alexandre de Vog\u00fc\u00e9<\/a>, will give examples of Le N\u00f4tre\u2019s design audacity and walk listeners through the ongoing and ambitious landscape restoration he currently oversees in his presentation, \u201cVaux le Vicomte: From Le N\u00f4tre to Today.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Monsieur de Vog\u00fc\u00e9 was gracious enough to answer a few questions we had for him in advance of his lecture.
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Q: \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What levels of restoration in planting are you currently attempting? Are you planting the same plants as Le N\u00f4tre\u2019s original design, or are you making modifications?<\/p>\n

\"Vaux<\/a>A:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019ve done three planting works in the last 18 months. In the winter of 2012 to 2013, we re-aligned the trees along the Grand Canal with 237 linden trees (Tilia cordata<\/em>) to replace the chestnut trees, which had become too fragile and dangerous to the public. The fragility was caused by their age and by the horse-chestnut leaf miners.<\/p>\n

This winter, we are planting the Quinconce row for the same reasons. Linden trees and hornbeams (Carpinus betulus<\/em>) have been chosen also for their adaptability to the difficult soil, made essentially of clay.<\/p>\n

Elm trees were very common in classic gardens during the 17th<\/sup> century. Because elms all almost disappeared since then because of Dutch elm disease, our idea is to find a species that has the same profile, for all\u00e9es, for example, but is disease-free. This makes the choice very difficult, if I may say.<\/p>\n

Q:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vaux le Vicomte hosts public events. What future events do you have planned for people with passions for gardening, garden history, and landscape design?<\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We just set up two itineraries in the garden to attract visitors to the garden for them to enjoy it, and therefore understand it. We give visitors some key elements of understanding of what makes a French formal garden through orientation tables, explanation panels, and a game for kids. The second loop of our plan explains how the garden has been designed, with information about the construction site.<\/p>\n

Of particular interest is the flowerbed that Nicolas Fouquet wanted to have in his garden. Landscape designer Louis Benech designed it for installation this year. Although we don\u2019t have information about the plants and species chosen at the time of Fouquet, we respect the patterns of the flowerbed, but feel very free in choosing plants.<\/p>\n

\"UNE-PARTIE-DU-BOULINGRIN-VUE-DEPUIS-LE-1er-ETAGE-copyright-A.J.-CASSAIGNE\"<\/a>
\u00a9 A.J. Cassaigne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Q:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And finally, to oblige a more personal question, did you live in the ch\u00e2teau during your childhood? If so, what was it like having the garden grounds as a playground?<\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, I lived in the ch\u00e2teau with my family until I was two. Then, we moved to the east outbuildings. I thought at the time that I was lucky to enjoy such a huge playground, where I pretended to be Davey Crocket, running through the woods, constructing wooden shacks and sleeping there, but being scared of the noises of the forest at night. I ran through the rooms of the ch\u00e2teau at night and once jumped on the King\u2019s bed, not realizing it was a fake one made of wood, and hurt myself.<\/p>\n

Since coming back three years ago, I have realized the huge privilege of living there. I sometimes have a drink with my wife, overlooking the garden when all the visitors have left. Being so close to nature, being almost part of it during these moments, is a great pleasure I enjoy almost every day, even if it is a very manicured nature. It\u2019s green plants and trees, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n

Alexandre de Vog\u00fc\u00e9 presents Thursday, April 19, at 10 a.m. in the Ross Hall at the Garden. Click here for more information and to register<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Next week, we take an intimate look into Andr\u00e9 Le N\u00f4tre\u2019s 17th-century masterwork of the formal gardens of Ch\u00e2teau de Vaux le Vicomte outside of Paris as part of our 15th annual Winter Lecture Series, Le Jardin Fran\u00e7ais. During his presentation Thursday, February 19, the co-proprietor and fifth-generation owner of this landmark family estate, Alexandre… <\/p>\n

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