Calceolaria: flowers with a surprising shape

Agate presents its current favorite.
Within our collections, numerous illustrations or photographs deserve to be exhibited for their aesthetic quality or originality.Today, an illustration of Calceolaria, introduced by horticulturist Louis Van Houtte in 1843.

Since then, these little flowers, sometimes called "little shoes" or "ladies' purses", have enchanted our gardens with their unusual shape and shimmering colours.

Calceolaria (Van Houtte, M. L. et al., 1847).

Source of illustration : Van Houtte, M. L. et al., (1847). Flore des serres et des jardins de l'Europe (in French), Flora of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe, volume III.

This work, published in German, French and English, contains descriptions and figures of the rarest and most deserving plants newly introduced to mainland Europe and England, taken from Botanical magazine, Botanical register and Paxton's magazine of botany. It is enriched with historical, scientific, etymological, synonymic and horticultural notes, etc.

On the same subject

  • The Forester and his tent
    Plantation of hook pine trees, Canton of Chaumasse, Seyne area. Photograph taken by Eugène de Gayffier in 1877, in the context of mountain reforestation and grassing works.
    Favourite

    The Forester and his tent

    Agate presents its current favorite.
    Here we are in 1877, in the Basses-Alpes, during the great mountain reforestation efforts. Through the lens of Eugène de Gayffier, a solitary tent stands watch over the freshly planted pine trees, a testament to the hard work of foresters striving to bring new life to these fragile lands.

  • Color for the New Year
    Varieties of tuberous begonias
    Favourite

    Color for the New Year

    Agate invites you to start the year 2025 in color with tuberous begonias, taken from the Flore des serres et des jardins d'Europe (in French), Flora of the Greenhouses and Gardens of Europe, published by the famous horticulturist Louis Van Houtte in the mid-19th century.