Our 5 strategic axis

Preserving

The Herboretum attracts over 1 000 different plant species including 200 species, characteristics of the region.

Other species, on the verge of extinction, have the status of protected plants in the Loiret department.

As an example, a small fern growing in humid biotopes, Adder’s Tongue, has been identified while it is only present in 10 of the 334 communes of the Loiret department.

The vanishing of species is caused by the destruction of their habitat, particularly the humid biotopes, falling victim to drying for the sake of agricultural, industrial or urbanisation. This is the reason why The Herboretum endeavour to rehabilitate the natural ecosystems of the region.

The conservation of the plants of The Herboretum is made within the frame of sustainable development. Reasoned management techniques and focused cultural practices are being followed: suppression of chemical pesticides, use of organic fertilizers, bringing in ashes (against slugs) into the flowerbeds, reusing of green waste, reclaiming of rain water, conservative mowing to respect the various balances of life, etc…

Thus, by modifying certain cultural practices, the Herboretum allowed the reapparition of two orchids: the Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera L.) and Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum (L) Spreng.), and the installation of another species: the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera Huds.).

These 3 species of orchids are protected in the department of Loiret and Center region (see box at right).