- Space for Life, Jardin botanique
The very first station of the Pathway to Phytotechnologies Filtering Marshes has officially opened to the public!
The first of what will eventually be seven stations, the Filtering Marshes are a key feature of the plan to rehabilitate and redevelop the Aquatic Garden. Residue-laden water is purified in two filtering marshes that complement each other—one with a horizontal flow and the other vertical—before being returned to the plant collection basins and, from time to time, to the ornamental flower beds. With the help of this station, you will hence be able to understand the difference between the operating principles of artificial marshes with a vertical flow and horizontal flow as well as the different species of aquatic plants, which are used in such works.
The Aquatic Garden, designed and built in 1938 under the supervision of Henry Teuscher, had never undergone a true restoration. Despite constant maintenance, it really needed work. In 2017, a rehabilitation proposal was drawn up to renovate it and add a new central basin, taking into account the original heritage plan and Espace pour la vie’s new sustainable development approach. A key feature of this major restoration is the addition of a central basin with heated water to accommodate young Victoria ‘Longwood Hybrid’ plants, a cross between Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana, originally developed at the famous Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia.
Pathway to Phytotechnologies
In the spring of 2017, Espace pour la vie began an ambitious project at the Jardin botanique involving seven stations that will use thousands of living plants to help solve a number of environmental problems. The Pathway to Phytotechnologies will serve to treat runoff, reduce the heat-island effect of its parking lot, stabilize pond banks, reduce the impact of city noise and decontaminate soil.
The Space for Life Foundation is proud to partner with the City of Montreal to finance Pathway to Phytotechnologies at the Jardin botanique.
Take a close look at the seven stations along the Pathway to Phytotechnologies at the Jardin botanique. You’ll see that nature will be busy in coming years!
