“Die Pflanze gleicht dem eigensinnigen Menschen, von dem
man alles erhält, wenn man ihn nach seiner Art behandelt."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Some people are still offended when a plant's complex character is set out in a database rather like a school curriculum. All gardeners know that such categories cannot entirely reflect the individual characteristics of plants in specific locations or use. Nevertheless, as an experienced gardener and landscape architect I see the need to present such information both to interested beginners and experienced garden designers.
In recent years I have created gardens and parks in several southern European countries. I started out with a list from a Sicilian nursery. Eventually this list became a database, which I named Plantix (Plant-Matrix), and this made the process of choosing and combining trees, shrubs and perennials much easier. With each project the volume of data increased and PLANTUS now holds enough detailed data about plants to meet the most exacting challenges. Filter lists enable the user to sort species for particular effects or for extreme sites such as coast or desert.
A well known British seed exporter attaches a note to deliveries to remind customers that the contents are unlikely to germinate when left in the packet. In the same way can I point out that the remarkable features and benefits of PLANTUS can only be appreciated by those who install and use it.
I hope you will derive much pleasure and satisfaction using this database!
Christoph Wieschus
Schermbeck, May 2001
