Phytotechnologies at the Jardin botanique de Montréal

Phytotechnologies refer to techniques that use living plants to purify air, water, and soil. For several years, teams at the Jardin botanique de Montréal have been experimenting with phytotechnology as a way to address environmental issues.

Advantages of phytotechnology

In addition to providing food and delight, plants can be used to control erosion, manage runoff, and fight urban heat islands.

Phytotechnologies have become increasingly used alternatives to conventional engineering approaches. They are valued for their low investment cost, high success rate, and the numerous ecosystem services they offer.

Examples of green solutions at the Jardin botanique

With their expertise, scientists at the Jardin botanique de Montréal and the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV) collaborate to integrate phytotechnologies into all new garden developments. Their goal is to provide practical solutions to challenges faced by the Jardin botanique while demonstrating the functions and roles of plants in these installations.

Throughout the Jardin botanique, you will discover the hidden power of plants and see just how they can effectively and beautifully provide numerous environmental benefits.

These phytotechnology installations may inspire you to draw connections to everyday life and imagine their applications at home, at work, or in your community.

Project Regeneration – Biodiversity Centre (2023)

Regeneration is a continually evolving contemporary digital artwork intimately linked to a phytoremediation research area (decontamination of polluted soils using plants). Born of an inspiring encounter between art and science, it narrates the real-time regeneration of a plot of land undergoing phytoremediation treatment at the Jardin botanique.

Through a light and sound installation, the artwork makes tangible abstract data collected by sensors and cameras. This project is a co-production of Espace pour la vie and the National Film Board of Canada.

Controlling Invasive Plants – Frédéric Back Tree Pavilion (2021)

The rehabilitation of the pond at the Frédéric Back Tree Pavilion a has brought the proliferation of undesirable plants under control using various rehabilitation techniques. New landscaping offers inspiring views of the wetland.

Filtering Marshes – Aquatic Garden (2019)

The roots of aquatic plants, bacteria, and microorganisms present in the two filtering marshes of the aquatic garden serve to purify the water that circulates in a closed loop, feeding the plant collection basins.

Shared expertise in phytotechnology

The Jardin botanique also conducts research projects in phytotechnology off-site.

For example, in collaboration with the Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles borough, the research and scientific development team at the Jardin is working on rehabilitating contaminated sites in eastern Montreal. The plants used for soil decontamination will be fed into composting plants or used to produce bioproducts or biofuels.

Upcoming phytotechnology projects

Most of the Jardin botanique’s infrastructure projects now incorporate phytotechnologies. Here are a few upcoming projects:

Green roof – Youth Gardens

A new sanitary pavilion built near the Youth Gardens will be covered with a green roof. The roof will be accessible to all, making it the ideal place to learn about phytotechnology from an early age.

Bank stabilization – Big ponds

Phytotechnologies will be used to stabilize the banks and limit the spread of invasive plants in the pond area at the center of the Jardin botanique. Plants will be planted on the slopes of the banks, and access to the water will be facilitated.

Heat reduction islands – Main parking lot 

The main entrance to the Jardin, the parking lot, is currently a vast asphalt surface. The creation of filtration and water retention zones will allow for better management of rainwater. This new development will reduce the heat island effect, and runoff water will be diverted to rain gardens.