Sweet Stories of French Botanical Artist Paul De Longpré as Gardener and Father

"If you ask for her name, she will say it is Pauline; but the only name she has ever called at home is "Joujou"; the French word for toy or plaything.
She is idolized by her famous father, and when he walks in the garden she is always by his side."

April 18, 1855

On this day, the French-American botanical artist known as the "King of Flowers," Paul de Longpré, was born.

Here are two stories from his biography that are particularly enchanting.

The first story is told with a quintessentially French image.

De Longpré is riding his bicycle, peddling out to the garden with an easel on his back and a hat on his head, on his way to paint the flowers he loved so much.

The second story supports an image of Paul in the garden with his little daughter and namesake, Pauline.

An article in the Overland Monthly gives us a little glimpse into their father-daughter relationship.

De Longpré’s youngest daughter, is a bright little miss about eight years old.

If you ask for her name, she will say it is Pauline; but the only name she has ever called at home is “Joujou”; the French word for toy or plaything.

She is idolized by her famous father, and when he walks in the garden she is always by his side.