Jelena and Robert De Belder thoroughly changed the art of gardening in Belgium. These botanists with a world-wide reputation created two arboreta planted with collections reaching international standards at Kalmthout and Hemelrijk, Essen. Furthermore, we owe them the introduction and selection of many choice plants. They propagated ecological ideals long before these came into fashion. Their remarkable personalities made them dear to all those who were drawn to them through friendship or through plants. Their merits were considerable and their influence greater still.
When Jelena De Belder died, in August 2003, a couple of friends and personalities of the botanical world sought to keep alive the memory of the wonderfully endearing couple formed by Robert and Jelena and envisaged a book to pay tribute to their achievements.
This book is not a biography. Their portraits emerge through their creations, their writings and the memories they left with their children, their friends and those who worked by their side. A luxurious lay-out presents photography’s, documents and unpublished botanical illustrations.
352 pages
Available in 3 languages :
Français/English/Nederlands
Special price until 30/11/2005 : 28 €
Retail price : 34 €
LACONTI Publishers – Brussels
Diane Adriaenssen is a gardener and a journalist. Her friendship with the De Belder family dates back to her childhood when her parents would roam the world with Robert and Jelena and stock their garden with rare plants from Kalmthout.
As a conference interpreter, Diane Adriaenssen has always had a particular interest in languages, etymology and terminology. Reconciling this professional training, her passion for gardens and her talent for writing, she imagined a new approach to understanding the botanical names of plants.
She is the author of Le Latin de mon Jardin, published by Editions Larousse in 2003 ("Grand Prix Saint Fiacre").