On March 4th, we celebrate the birthday of August Bīlenstein
March 4th is the birthday of August Bīlenstein (1826 - 1907), a prominent Baltic German scientist, theologian, cultural figure, and inspirer of the horticultural industry.
One of the lilac varieties from the August Bīlenšteins collection, 'President Grevy' (pictured), grows in the lilac garden of the Horticultural Institute. The distinguished pastor was interested in the development of horticulture in the Baltics, especially in Zemgale. He often visited the most important rectories and got acquainted with their gardens. He was interested in the way of farming on farms owned by Latvians, for example, together with his guests, he visited the Lejasstrazdi farm in the Dobele area, which belonged to Jānis Bētiņš (1830 – 1912), a Latvian conductor, organist, and teacher at the Irlava Teachers' Seminary.
In the second half of the 19th century, Augusts Bīlenšteins created a park in the Dobele rectory (now at Brīvības Street 50, Dobele), which boasted many rare plant species that were previously unknown in the Baltics. Spruces, lilacs, cedars, sumacs, elms, walnuts, goldenrods, mulberries, various fruit trees, and berry bushes were grown.
"In front of the house was a square vegetable garden surrounded by a fence with various fruit trees planted in terraces. Fields stretched on both sides of the driveway alley. The vegetable garden slightly exceeded the length of the house in width, while in length it reached the ice cellar. Behind the small servants' stable were the gardens belonging to the servants. The fruit garden was located in the SE direction from the house, it was regularly expanded. English-style greenery was arranged in front of the house. Tasteful winding paths were created little by little according to how the trees and bushes grew and the shadow they cast invited people to go for walks. Planting material was brought from near and far: white/silver willows from the native Jaunauce, dark lilacs from the Lielauce manor, larches from Upesmuiža, maples from Cesvaine. Part of the planting material was brought from Count Uvarov's gardens near Moscow, where my cousin Titelbach was the director of the garden, as well as from Polish and German nurseries. Various memorial trees were also planted, in 1871 I planted a linden circle near the highway - in memory of the completion of the revision of the Latvian Bible and in memory of the Frankfurt Peace and the German-French war. Separate trees were planted in memory of reliable brothers in the trade, with whom I was destined to forge warm bonds of friendship precisely thanks to our joint work" (Memoirs of August Bīlēnšteins).