Planetary garden

The Extra Garden in the northern corner of the park at Eggenberg has undergone many changes over the years: it has been a Baroque kitchen garden, a show garden for the Herberstein Nurseries, a vegetable garden and also a tree nursery. After the Second World War, it finally ended up becoming completely overgrown. Since there was no sufficient documentation of its many uses, this part of the garden had to be completely redesigned.
 

At the time when the paintings in the Planetary Room were created, the magical idea that the gods - transformed into constellations - influenced and controlled all terrestrial manifestations had already existed for over a thousand years, whereby each planet ruled its own realm, in which its properties were expressed most purely. In this model of the universe, every planet incorporated the ancient system of the "theory of signatures", which indicated that each planet not only has its "children", but also plants, animals, minerals, locations and activities, colours and shapes. All terrestrial manifestations could therefore be allocated to a planet and formed the basis for the rich iconography of the so-called "planet children". "Planetary Gardens" could be found in various estates in Europe in the 16th and 17th century.

Playfully working on this theme, the architect Helga Maria Tornquist therefore created poetic garden spaces that are each "ruled" by one of the seven classic planets. Thorny red hedges create a zigzag pattern for the space ruled by Mars, the god of war; while constantly guarding the two gardens ruled by Venus, which, surrounded by rose hedges, play out the theme of the classical gardens of love. Strawberries and lilies of the valley, sage and lemon thyme fragrantly fill in the spaces in a knot parterre made of entwined hearts, while historic Alba, Bourbon and Damask roses merge together to create precious ensembles. Trellis-style archways with vibrant laburnum hanging down create rays of sun, edged by flaming mixed borders that flower in all the hues of the setting sun from bright yellow to splendorous red. In the shade of a hedge lies a white moon garden around a water lily pond. Here, plants that love the dark create an imaginative retreat. In the night dame's violets, honesty (Lunaria) and white lilies, as a symbol of innocence, are enveloped by the heady scent of mignonettes. As the seasons change, visitors are therefore able to stroll through a poetic garden universe of ever-changing hues, fragrant scents and magnificent floral creations.