The Klingenberg Garden Day-Book

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Discover the fascinating gardening chronicles of Paul Klingenberg, a trusted advisor to King Frederik III of Denmark. This day-book captures his detailed records of plants, weather, and garden activities from the 17th century.

An intimate glimpse into seventeenth-century horticulture through the meticulous records of Paul Klingenberg and his son.

Paul Klingenberg served King Frederik III not only as Postmaster General but also by designing the maze in the royal garden at Rosenborg. His career began in Hamburg with a trading company, where he became a key figure. He married Elisabeth Berns, granddaughter of the company’s founder, whose family and the Marselis clan were renowned for their exceptional gardens. It was within this circle that Paul’s passion for gardening blossomed.

Starting in 1639, Paul kept a detailed day-book documenting the work done in his garden at Hanerau in Holstein. Written in German, the journal lists plants and seeds purchased, suppliers’ names, prices, planting and sowing dates, weather conditions, and notes on successes and failures.

The day-book features extensive lists of varieties, especially tulips, hyacinths, crocuses, anemones, ranunculuses, apples, pears, and melons. Fruit trees were a particular focus-Paul was tasked with acquiring fruit trees for King Frederik III and Queen Charlotte Amalie, and he recorded his tasting notes on many varieties.

After Paul’s death in 1690, his son, also named Paul Klingenberg and a respected lawyer, continued the day-book at his estate Højriis in Jutland. He concentrated mainly on ornamental plants, especially newly imported exotic species, and installed a state-of-the-art hothouse to support their cultivation.

Following the younger Paul’s death, the day-book remained in a private Danish collection for some years before vanishing. It resurfaced in the Danish Public Record Office when Dr. Annie Christensen discovered it. Recognizing its value for garden history, she transcribed, translated, and added introductory chapters and commentary.

To enrich the reader’s understanding of 17th-century gardening, the book includes excerpts from “The Garden Day Book of Sir Thomas Hanmer” (1659) and previously unpublished contemporary plant illustrations from Danish sources.

This volume spans 292 pages and features 30 stunning color plates from the Gottorfer Codex and The Royal Collection of Engravings, along with approximately 20 black-and-white drawings, maps, and garden plans.

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