uni'alumni 2012_ENG

In the fall the leaves change color and fall to the ground of the Botanical Gardens of the University of Freiburg, but the first signs of buds already indi- cate that the trees and bushes will awaken again to full life in the spring. They and all other vegetation are ­attended to by master gardener Heidi Petarus and her team of 16 gardeners. When the expert on the cultivation of decorative plants talks about her garden, the visitor understands immediately that her position as director of the gardens involves more than just office work. “Depending on the time of year, I help out in the greenhouses or in the open land areas of the garden,” says the mas- ter gardener. “I also want to set an ­example for our apprentices – and that means getting my hands dirty.” As tech- nical director she is also responsible for staff coordination, planning, and the ­organization of operations at the gardens. But despite all of these administrative responsibilities she still finds time to ­engage in practical activities, such as helping to set up a bionics nature trail that shows how technology can profit from nature’s own blueprints. Not a City Park but a Science Park She and her team also take part in research and teaching at the university, since they provide the material for practi- cal courses in biology and cultivate plants on behalf of scientists conducting research projects. It hurts Petarus to sacrifice plants to science that she has nurtured so lovingly, but she knows that biologists need the plants for their ­experiments: “We’re not a city park but a science park.” By contrast, no plant has to be sacrificed for environmental ­education: “I love giving school classes tours of the gardens and the green­ houses and passing on my knowledge.” School students get to experience nature first hand at the new touch-and-smell plant bed. Attractions like this serve to ­increase the public profile of the gardens: “Our gardens are an ideal meeting place for research, education, and the general public,” says Petarus. With over 5,000 cultivated plant species, the gardens ­offer a window into the world of botany. Petarus is always happy to take on the role of plant doctor for people who need advice taking care of their plants. She has a quick answer for people who wonder how it is possible to cultivate such a great variety of plants from all over the world – some of them very rare – in the space of a single garden: “We are in close contact with other botanical gardens and order seeds and saplings worldwide,” says Petarus. She is proud of the fact that nearly all of the plants at the gardens were cultivated by her and her team in Freiburg. When asked what time of year alumni should visit the gar- dens, she replies immediately: “The gardens have something special to offer year round.” Gardening on behalf of research and teach- ing: Technical director Heidi Petarus enjoys helping out in the decorative plant houses and the open land areas of the gardens. BOTANICAL GARDENS The first botanical gardens in Freiburg were opened in 1620. The current gardens are spread over two hectares and were opened in 1912. The gardens are home to over 5,000 cultivated plant species from all parts of the world. There is also a com- plex with display houses for ferns as well as subtropical, succulent, and tropical plants. The gardens offer free gardening advice each Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. » www.botanischer-garten. uni-freiburg.de Photo:Mesenholl Eva Opitz Something Special in Every Season Heidi Petarus is in Charge of the Botanical Gardens of the University of Freiburg PORTRAIT 22