The garden of Kirms-Krackow-House
A blooming society salon
The house garden of the Kirms family in the city of Weimar was a buzzing center of social life, and well known for its lush flowerage and exotic plants. Privy Councillor Franz Kirms often received rare plants as a gift from his principal, Grand Duke Carl August, who brought them back from his travels. Franz Kirms was fascinated by botany and floriculture, a passion he shared with Caroline Krackow, lady-in-waiting of Grand Duchess Maria Pawlowa, who became his wife in 1823. As a result, the garden was more than just a backdrop for social occasions. House guests also came to study rare specimens or admire the first bloom of a plant.