Floral splendour of the Renaissance

Historic species of rose

No other flower plays such an important role in cultural history as the rose. It is a symbol of femininity, love and beauty.
During the Renaissance, it was good form to own a rose garden. In the garden of the Schallaburg, you’ll find historic roses cultivated in the last centuries to satisfy present mores: long and lush flowers, intensive fragrance and often decorative fruits delight the visitor. Robust species, barely susceptible to pests and disease, simplify care.

Knot beds

Knot beds exemplify a typical element of the Renaissance garden: easily shapeable medicinal and everyday herbs, such as cotton lavender, germander, winter savoury, rosemary, thyme, hyssop, sage and lavender, are planted in intersecting ribbons. Sage was a plant of loyalty and memory, and was used to conjure up love; thyme was assigned to the Virgin Mary, women, fairies and goddesses. Two miniature beds were planted later in the garden of the Schallaburg.
 

Shrubs

People who lived during the Renaissance were also passionate collectors. This is evident in the first books published as inventories of famous gardens. At the time, individual plants were important; all the shrubs and bulbs that one possessed were presented in narrow beds edged by herbs.
No consideration was given to the plants’ living requirements or their growth. Dragon wort was used against witchery and thus also for fumigating. The cranesbill was the protective plant for marriage and fertility. The peony helped against nightmares, depression and possession; together with dittany, it was a secret remedy for epilepsy. Lily of the valley, picket at the right time, was a bringer of happiness. The garden of the Schallaburg now contains plants of the Renaissance, selected to suit the conditions of the site as closely as possible.

Flowering commences in April and continues into the autumn. Over 3,500 shrubs, 2,000 bulb plants and annuals are planted out on an area of about 550 sq metres. The peripheries are additionally designed with historic roses and companion shrubs.