In the Baroque era, the bosquets were like small forests separated by hedges, with collections of popular trees and shrubs of that time, which delight people in all seasons. The restoration of bosquets in the Rundāle Palace Park began in 2003. Hornbeams, traditionally used in European gardens, have been planted in hedges in Rundāle, as well as other trees, because in Kurzeme in the 18th century even berry bushes were grown in hedges. The plant collections in the bosquets were designed and supplemented in accordance with the descriptions of the 18th century, sample books and the theory of Baroque gardening.
On both sides of the central alley there are Lilac bosquets (2003) with varieties of lilac created in Latvia. They are accompanied by mock oranges (Philadelphus), hydrangea, weigelas.
The Dutch Bosquet (2004) is created after the suggestion of Jaco van Rijssel, a breeder of Dutch tulips and a sponsor of the Rundāle Palace museum for a long time. Every year around 11,000 bulbous flowers are blooming in this bosquet.
The Blue Bosquet (2007) with gazeboes of lady’s-bower and blue or white summer flowers and perennials correspond Rastrelli design.
Since 2009, the Flowering Trees’ Bosquet is being formed thus gradually adding to the popular collections of blooming trees and perennial flowers of the 18th century.
The name of the Lily Bosquet is related to the wild martagon lilies that grew in this area before. Now trees are planted there; in the future they will form foliage of medium hight as compared to the oak alley on the opposite side of the canal.
The Bosquet of Ornamental trees is next to the Gardener’s house on the western edge of the park.
The Labyrinth Bosquet, a typical maze of baroque gardens, was completed in 2016. The collection of plants forms coloured foliage of medium height. Due to the small size, a low wild privet hedge has been planted, but the hornbeam hedge is sheared as a silhouette.
Playground Bosquet with historical swings and wooden sculptures is created at the expense of visitors’ donations. The imagination of children is inspired by plants with strange natural forms and artificially moulded plants.
In the Spring Bosquet a place for drinking water is arranged after the example of the Marly Palace Garden.
In the Hydrangea Bosquet there are hydrangeas of different varieties and an ornamental area of low, sheered shrubs. Construction of treillage pavilion is planned in this bosquet.
In the Memorial Bosquet there is a cemetery of soldiers fallen during the First World War and two memorial obelisks – for the soldiers who died in 1812 and during the First World War. The monuments were set up with the financial support of Germany and France and were unveiled in 2011.
In the Golden Vase Bosquet at the junction of pergolas a summer café is opened. For this bosquet plants with yellow flowers or foliage are chosen.
In the Oriental Bosquet a pavilion is built in Chinese style, which was popular in the 18th century. In the summer season there is a toilet. In the small area there are wild privet hedge plantations, small pine trees and a sakura tree.
The Picnic Area is designed as a visitors’ lounge with collections of plants in a free layout, herbs popular in the 18th-century. The pavilion is built after the sample of Veitshöchheim (near Würzburg, Germany) garden pavilion.
Collection of plants according to Baroque sample books and 18th century garden descriptions is being continued. The Walking Bosquets are being set up in the Forest Park according to Rastrelli design.
21.10.2019