Traditional old flower garden in Lithuania and Polish border

Abstract

Lithuanian-Poland border is a special territory, which belonged to Grand Duchy of Lithuania for 300 years long. Only in the 20th century state borders separated this territory. Still 20-30 km from the border on both sides the bigger part of inhabitants are Lithuanians. Decorative and medical plants were inventoried in 16 farmsteads (8 on each side) in Lithuania and Poland. The aim of this research was to assess how well the traditions of Lithuanian old traditional gardens were kept for around one hundred years in territories separated by state border. Altogether 95 species, now classified as traditional Lithuanian gardens plants, were found. These plants have been grown in flower gardens in Lithuanian villages from old times. 83 species of these plants grew on Lithuanian side of the border and 76 species on Polish side. There are no records telling when flower gardens have been established from in Lithuanian rural homesteads, but it is thought that it was done around 15th -16th centuries. According to their growth time plants were divided into three groups: 1) plants which were grown from 15– 16 centuries – 14 species of such in Lithuania grown plants and 16 species in Poland; 2) from 17–18 centuries – 12 species in Lithuania and 13 species in Poland; 3) from 19–20 century – it was found 57 species in Lithuania and 47 species in Poland.