In the Gardens of Versailles, A Horticultural Revolution

Alain Baraton, the keeper of the Gardens of Versailles, has encouraged French gardeners to use local plants through his books and radio and TV shows. He has also tried to turn climate change to his advantage. (By Molly Moore -- The Washington Post)
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He paused, smiling mischievously. "It's never happened, but I always worry."

Baraton said he also fears that "an old or sick tree planted during the time of the French Revolution will fall on a visitor." One of the cruelest decisions he has to make is cutting down a potentially dangerous 300-year-old tree.

Between his broadcasts and directing his staff, Baraton said he does little of the actual spadework in the gardens these days.

Even at home, he said, he leaves most of the yard chores to his wife.

"After 30 years of spending my weekends doing the gardening," he said, "I'd rather just a read a book in the garden."

Researcher Corinne Gavard contributed to this report.

To read more of these features, go to the Worldview page at www.washingtonpost.com/worldview.

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