Among the colour trends of the year that spark the imaginations of our most creative gardeners, Dark Academia offers an immersion into garnet, purples, crimsons and plum, edging toward an almost-black depth. These bold, dark tones originate from a baroque aesthetic, that of the hushed and mysterious world of old libraries and the hit series Wednesday.
In the garden, adopting such a romantic and melancholic palette requires a neat setting and scenes with subtle harmonies to soften the sombre colour and the intensity of the blooms and foliage.
Here are three borders imagined for you with this new trend in mind, updated for today!
How to pair it with the garden?
The dark tones, from purple to black, should always be used with great care in plantings. They can overwhelm the eye and, if misused, impart a mood that is too sombre for a garden.
We therefore often pair them with a few neutral, diaphanous touches, drawing from the palette of white, pearly, cream and green blooms, as well as bronzy, greyed foliage. Don’t forget light, ribboned foliage, iridescent or variegated to diffuse the light around the deeper tones.
Some plants are thus particularly useful, especially those that work in a pointillist manner with their inflorescences, such as some grasses and airy perennials or the plush plants. In small doses, they instantly lighten the colour composition of a border.
A naturalistic scene: the poetry of black flowers and wild grasses
Dark-toned flowers can certainly suit a section of the garden treated as a large meadow or flowering border. In this case, favour beautiful wildflowers, such as Scabiosa 'Chile Black', and Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'. A mass of Penstemon with purplish flowers such as the variety 'Raven' will visually support the border, enriching it with a multitude of blooms right through to frosts.
The perfect accompaniment to temper, without masking, the depth of purple tones will simply come from a few very light grasses such as the Hordeum jubatum, or taller Panicum, or airy fennel. In mild climates, opt without hesitation for the Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'. The presence of statice (Limonium latifolium) with tiny pale mauve flowers softens the scene and brings the essential gentleness to the dark colours.
Clockwise from top left: Penstemon 'Raven', statice, Scabiosa 'Chile Black', Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' and Hordeum jubatum
A shrub border between lilac and burgundy
Around two fine shrubs chosen, one for its burgundy flowering with double blossoms—the lilac 'Charles Joly'—the other for its striking heart-shaped foliage, Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy', invite a few perennials in the same warm tones, and greyed foliage for softness. In our example, the lightness of the purplish inflorescences of a purple Eupatorium sits beside the delicate lavender-grey of a refined poppy (Papaver rhoeas 'Amazing Grey'), and the utterly graceful verticality of double-flowered hollyhocks 'Chater's Violet'.
Pensée to include some soft, greyed and silvery foliage such as Artemisia ludoviciana (Valerie Finnis) that will thread at the foot of the shrubs, and respond to the romantic colours of the poppies.
N.B. : other shrubs just as spectacular in their purple hues would work brilliantly in this border, such as certain varieties of the famous smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria) and its wispy summer flowering, a black elder, a physocarpus or Magnolia 'Black Tulip' for a poetic spring effect.
Velvety sophistication in partial shade
The two previous moods are envisaged in sunny settings. The purple-to-chocolate hues can also be used in a bright partial shade in the garden. In that case, work on an enveloping ambience, softening the dark impression with discreet touches of chartreuse green, together with pearly and iridescent whites.
The purple flowers of Hellebores will be the stars of this corner, with infinite grace and a very long flowering season, akin to botanical cousins such as Helleborus foetidus and its pistachio flowers. Invest here in a few purple foliage plants, such as Strobilanthes anisophyllus 'Brunetthy', a magnificent almost-black shrub, whose pale pink late-spring flowers contrast nicely, and a groundcover with marbled leaves like Trillium cuneatum and a mass of black Ophiopogons. Finally, for a touch of volume in the scene, use the assets of an oak-leaved hydrangea: distinctive foliage that clings on well into winter, taking crimson autumn tones, and white, anise-scented flowers, ranging from white through pink, in spectacular yet light panicles.
To refine this baroque ambience, why not insert one or two refined accessories: a latticed frame with a beautiful gilded patina or a mirror to reflect the light, a romantic vintage metal lantern or a statue representing a poet, an angel or a muse? A stone bench will also invite sitting and resting.
Discover our selection of plants in the Dark Academia spirit on our online nursery, as well as inspiration in the Trend Notebook 2026!
Also read on the topic: How to combine black-flowered perennials? ; 6 border ideas for a red/purple garden, Purple foliage: how to use it and pair it in the garden, and Pairing red or purple flowers.
Among the colour trends of the year that spark the imaginations of our most creative gardeners, Dark Academia offers an immersion into garnet, purples, crimsons and plum, edging toward an almost-black depth. These bold, dark tones originate from a baroque aesthetic, that of the hushed and mysterious world of old libraries and the hit series […]
Discover exclusively our trends notebook for Garden trends 2026 identified by our experts! Green Generation, Retro Garden or Augmented Garden, we reveal the five emerging currents that reinvent garden practices and the imaginations of the garden. Based on this monitoring, Promesse de fleurs shares its forward-looking reading and field observations of the garden of tomorrow.
Green Generation
The Millennials: a new plant tribe born on Instagram! They are aged 28 to 44, often live in cities, and have made houseplants a lifestyle. Houseplants—Ficus lyrata, Calathea, Alocasia, Colocasia, and Monstera—have become icons, iconic design pieces and organic accents. The greenery here becomes emotional, identity-driven and graphic. This green frenzy is ultra-connected, Instagrammable, viral, but deeply emotional. We speak of "Plant Parenting": 33% of Millennials talk to their plants, 19% give them a name, 29% regard them as sentient beings. We collect spectacular foliage (Monstera 'Thai Constellation', Caladium, Begonias 'Rex'), we stage its interior, and we share its urban jungle on TikTok (#planttok) or Instagram (#urbanjungle, 8 million posts).
Jardin Nostalgique
Here is a decidedly retro and comforting gardening trend! In the face of world uncertainties, and at a time when AI is generating artificial universes, the garden embraces a nostalgic vogue that expresses this deep longing for reassurance and tenderness. We sow, we take cuttings, we glean and compose home-made bouquets. The retro flower gets a second life. Double ranunculus, gladioli but especially dahlias (+12% in sales) and peonies (+37%) at Promesse de fleurs, which explode on social networks, are the star flowers of this vintage wave. The enthusiasm for seeds drives a revival of cut flowers for bouquets, direct from the garden to the vase! Statice, Helichrysum (Immortelle), Leucanthemum (Oxeye Daisies), and Silene, are already part of our collection of more than 1,500 varieties of flower seeds.
Évasions Nomades
The garden becomes itinerant, multicultural, adaptable, a mirror of a world in motion. 42% of recent landscape projects directly draw inspiration from distant cultures. They combine a dream of elsewhere with climate-consciousness, are nomadic in their evocations, resilient in their choices and economical in their use of water. Sales of hardy succulents have risen by 45% in Europe since 2023, a sign that these plants from elsewhere resonate with local concerns. Among the identified trends:
- Balinese Garden: tropical luxuriance, and sacred lotuses (85k posts #lotusgarden) inspired by the tropical sanctuaries of Southeast Asia.
- Antipodes Garden: euphorbias, crassulas, aloes or senecios pushed to the extremes evoke the landscapes of southern Africa.
- Chaparral Garden: Dasylirion longissimum, Echinocactus grusonii, Mexican blue palm, Opuntia cacanapa 'Ellisiana'... The specimens from semi-desert regions of California or Mexico sketch a graphic, solar and radically frugal garden.
- Sandy Garden: on 20 cm of pure sand, Gypsophila 'Rosea', Blue Fescue, Lomandra 'White Sands', Silver Santolina or Sage 'Caradonna' compose open scenes, without watering or fertilisers. Inspired by Peter Korn and climate-resilient gardens, this new generation dry garden blends lightness, robustness and modernity.
Jardin Refuge
In an age of hyperconnectivity, the garden becomes an emotional refuge, an open-air cocoon where we slow down, wrap ourselves in comfort and breathe.
- Japandi: a fusion of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian softness, inspiring sober, botanical, meditative ambiences. Japanese Maple 'Bloodgood', Ophiopogon noir, Pittosporum tobira'Nana', Arisaema consanguineum, Clematis 'Pistachio' flourish in a contemplative and undemanding garden. (+160% of searches for “Japandi garden” in 3 years).
- Chill Soft: soft design, velvety palette, flexible grasses, Pennisetum 'Lumen Gold', Perovskia ‘Prime Time’, Panicum ‘Hot Rod’… The garden becomes fluid, sensory, enveloping.
- Boho Patio: bohemian terraces, bright colours and gypsy spirit. Giant sunflowers, Dahlias, Purslane, Red popcorn maize, and Black pomegranate settle in for a sunny, joyful garden, between lounging and impromptu festive moments.
Jardin Augmenté
The garden enters the era of assisted gardening: tutorials, apps, connected devices, AI… Wireless tools are becoming common, mini-greenhouses are taking root in cities, and social networks popularise the practices. Uninhibited, autonomous, the garden appeals to a new urban generation. 40% of urban households already have an intelligent device. Our podcast Branché au jardin has 18,000 listens, and our Plantfit app 80,000 users.
Couleurs 2026
Emotional hues, ranging from mineral freshness to dark romance and pastel dreams.
- Transformative Teal: between muted blue and aquatic green, this refined, mineral shade asserts itself as the colour of 2026. It evokes deep waters and is embodied in Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue', Agave americana, Senecio serpens 'Dwarf Blue', and Dasylirion glaucophyllum.
- Cloud Dancer: a misty, resting, almost silent white, Pantone’s colour of the year. Chromatic antidotes to saturation, Agapanthus 'Ever White', Hydrangea 'FlowerWOW', Iris 'Glacier' and Clematis 'Guernsey Flute' soothe the eye.
- Dark Academia: a dramatic romanticism with Victorian overtones. Purple blooms, garnets, misty purples and wine-toned foliage craft a dark and sophisticated mood. Dianthus 'Sooty', Rosa 'Charles de Mills', Poppy 'Lauren’s Grape' and Lupin 'Masterpiece' embody this poetic gloom.
- Unicorn: a pastel iridescent breath, at the edge of the digital dream. Apricot sorbet, frosted lavender, pale blue or vanilla yellow compose a dreamy and playfully quirky garden populated with Sweet William Lychnis 'Classic Apricot', Delphinium 'Misty Lavender', and Rosa 'Koko Loko'.
Discover exclusively our trends notebook for Garden trends 2026 identified by our experts! Green Generation, Retro Garden or Augmented Garden, we reveal the five emerging currents that reinvent garden practices and the imaginations of the garden. Based on this monitoring, Promesse de fleurs shares its forward-looking reading and field observations of the garden of tomorrow. […]
The reasons to discover gardens, parks, and arboretums in our country are numerous: besides a green escape often close to home, or much further away when travelling, gardens provide opportunities for often surprising encounters and inspire us as each garden is unique. A journey into the infinitely green, from which we emerge with valuable advice and ideas. The diverse typologies transport us from the French garden to the English landscape park or the Japanese and exotic gardens.
Why is it so important to visit gardens? I will elaborate in this short article and provide some tips on how to find and visit them at the right time.
For the tranquillity they provide
Gardens, like forests, are places where we disconnect from our daily lives. The greenery, scents, and sounds allow us to escape and bring us peace. Their tranquillity offers immediate relaxation, which often lasts for the rest of the day!
For the beauty of gardens
What could be more delightful than wandering through gardens where everything is designed for the pleasure of the eyes? Visiting gardens, whether they are parks, plant gardens, botanical gardens, arboretums, public gardens, or private gardens, allows us to see plants that we may not necessarily cultivate at home. It is an opportunity to learn more about the vast world of plants and to marvel at the interplay of colours and the art of combining them.
Even if our own gardens are often smaller, visiting gardens provides us with insights into creating our own little green paradises. Visiting gardens nearby also helps us better understand the plants that thrive locally in our regions and how to showcase them.
All the plants are lovingly cared for, expertly maintained by dedicated teams in public gardens and by passionate gardeners who often conduct the tours themselves.
Strolling through a harmony of greenery, blooms, and fragrances, awakens all our senses and allows us to leave after one, two, or three hours of visiting with images in our minds, having recharged our batteries…
If we visit gardens in a completely different region, or even another country, we discover a different flora, very refreshing, sometimes translatable to another climate.
For the encounters we make
When visiting a private garden, you are not only exploring an extraordinary living space, but you also meet its owners who have often spent decades shaping their garden. It has thus become a place that reflects their personality, conducive to visits, but this process goes further, allowing for a moment of sharing with each visitor.
Some gardeners accompany you throughout the visit, explaining why they made certain choices of plants, how they have expanded the spaces over the years, while others prefer to step back and let you explore the garden freely, reuniting at the end for a friendly debrief.
Most of the gardens I have visited have sparked fascinating discussions… among passionate people! It is this human connection that I find, beyond the gardens themselves, admirable: in public gardens, gardeners are always available, pausing their work for a few minutes to enlighten you about a flower, tree, or bush you may not know, to talk about their work, or to explain the plantings the team is busy with.
In a private garden, we share tips about good nurseries in the area that we may not know, as they are a bit further from our usual circles, we discuss gardening associations we frequent, we talk about our cultivation issues with certain plants, we exchange ideas on current pruning… in short, we pass on a wealth of information and recreate the world around this environment that amazes us so much.
And when, as happened when I visited Mireille's garden, the visit stretches on, it can even lead to beautiful friendships between one-time visitors…
For inspiration
Visiting gardens is also stepping into worlds where creativity is often at play. Whether in a public or private garden, the arrangements are always a source of inspiration: the interplay of plant associations, of course, their colours, forms, and textures, the shape of the beds, the integration of a wet area, but also ideas to pick up along the way such as homemade path borders made of stones or wood, decorative ladders, cute tipis, treehouses, beautifully showcased vintage furniture, and much more.
Just for these delightful finds that enchant the DIY enthusiast within us, it is worthwhile to visit a garden!
The best times to visit gardens
Most gardens open for visits in France from April to October, a peak period for many plants, with some (rare) open all year round, particularly public gardens and plant gardens. January and February are generally months when gardens take a break from visits, but it is always advisable to check in advance on their websites to avoid disappointment (I experienced this myself this summer with a private garden that closed mid-July to reopen… next spring; my disappointment was great).
Of course, gardens featuring primarily acidic soil plants with azaleas and rhododendrons are best visited in April and May, while romantic gardens overflowing with roses are best between May and June, and grass gardens like Jardin Plume or gardens featuring many autumn foliage and maples are best visited at the end of the season, around October.
In France and Europe, do not miss the European Heritage Days, which provide an opportunity to discover certain gardens that open only for this occasion. They take place on the third weekend of September each year, for the past forty years! A filter with the word "garden" on the Ministry of Culture's website allows you to select only the gardens offering visits (free or guided, paid or free).
The other key moment, and certainly the most popular for visits, is June, a blessed month in our northern hemisphere for floral richness at this time of year. This is why the French Rendez-vous aux jardins!, the botanical counterpart of the heritage days, takes place over three days (with Friday traditionally reserved for schools), every first weekend of June. Initiated by the Ministry of Culture 21 years ago, the garden weekends propose a different theme each year and are promoted by the DRAC of each region. More than 2000 gardens now open their doors in France. After "the five senses in the garden" this year, the next edition in 2025 will take place from June 6 to 8 and will focus on the theme 'stone gardens - gardens of stone'.
Finally, a little earlier each year in May, do not miss the Open Gardens for Neurodon: the Federation for Brain Research organises a weekend to raise funds for research. This mainly concerns gardens in western France and Languedoc-Roussillon, but also a few others (more information and the map of gardens in this link), at a very accessible price.
How to find open gardens to visit in my department or region?
The advantage of gardens is that every city has at least one green space of interest. In the countryside, you often have access to gardens or vegetable patches just a few kilometres from home. Even if they are well-known, here are some useful sites to find beautiful gardens to visit near or far:
- The remarkable gardens: these are gardens labelled for their remarkable elements, particularly historical, botanical, and their plant heritage. There are many in most departments of France and overseas. There are nearly 480 in mainland France and overseas territories, and about thirty in Belgium (Wallonia). There is plenty to explore!
- Another option is the eco-garden labelled gardens committed to ecological management of green tourism.
- Gardening associations, park and garden associations, and horticultural societies are well-known and offer, for a modest membership fee, several garden visits throughout the year (in addition to a generally very interesting programme). Research online by typing "gardening associations" or "gardeners' associations" along with your department, and you will find gardens that may be unknown to you. Each region has gardening associations where many volunteers are active. Discover those in your department. For the Pays de la Loire, there is ASPEJA, which organises many activities including garden visits, as well as the JASPE association that brings together gardens from Sarthe and Mayenne, and other gardening associations in smaller municipalities (visit your town hall or its website to learn about all the associations!).
- The local press is a treasure trove for finding gardens to visit. Articles can help you discover more confidential gardens, often private gardens, true gems.
- Do not hesitate to visit tourist offices when you are travelling in France: they all have brochures and leaflets on the most beautiful gardens in the area.
- Some nurseries offer, in addition to their range of plants, beautiful trial or experimental gardens showcasing the plants they produce. Here in Anjou, I particularly like the one at Plantagenet nurseries, and in Morbihan, the nursery of Prahor. Inquire at nurseries in your region.
- It is worth noting that more and more gardens are accessible to people with reduced mobility, often with adapted paths, albeit a bit more restricted. Therapeutic gardens are beautiful places, particularly designed for people with disabilities.
At Promesse de fleurs, we provide you with monthly ideas for garden visits in our blog section: Garden visits, gardener portraits! It is constantly updated with visits conducted by our editorial team. We highlight beautiful gardens that are well-known in France and abroad, as well as more confidential gardens that also deserve a visit.
And you, what are you doing next weekend?
The reasons to discover gardens, parks, and arboretums in our country are numerous: besides a green escape often close to home, or much further away when travelling, gardens provide opportunities for often surprising encounters and inspire us as each garden is unique. A journey into the infinitely green, from which we emerge with valuable advice […]
I set off in early June for a trip to the north of England, where I hadn't returned for (too) many years. It was in this region bordering Scotland that, as a teenager, I met my English pen pal and her family, who instilled in me a love for the English language and guided my choice of studies towards fascinating linguistic studies. I wanted to combine this pilgrimage with visits to gardens, a passion now deeply rooted in my life.
Amidst the lakes and typical heaths of the north, hiking and garden visits filled the days. In early June, the gardens were abundant, much more than I had imagined, and several things caught my attention. If, like me, you have eyes only for the English garden, follow me to this country where the garden reigns supreme.
Yorkshire and its gardens: an absolute dream
In preparing for this trip, I had to make decisions about certain visits and forgo others. North England is indeed teeming with gardens, just like the rest of the country. Travelling from the west coast (the Lake District, a region of lakes in Cumbria) to the east coast (the York North Moors National Park) and down to Derbyshire, I had identified a few gardens with the help of beautiful books on the subject (The Gardens of England and Gardens of England) and by consulting various English websites listing all the beautiful places not to be missed, notably that of the RHS.
With a garden a day, the enchantment worked every time, as the gardens shared the English spirit but each had a different personality.
Notably, the Hall, this small castle or large manor typical of England, gives a unique spirit to each garden. Its architecture leaves its mark on the place, just like the Walled gardens (brick-walled gardens), where the most beautiful mixed-borders are gathered.
I preferred modest-sized gardens, as I have a taste for this type of garden. To name just a few, the gardens of Holker Hall, Burton Agnes Hall, and Newby Hall were true favourites, but the large estate of Chatsworth, a bit further down in Derbyshire, much appreciated by the English and tourists, also deserves a little detour, just like the famous Levens Hall and its topiaries in Cumbria.
The colour palette
At this end of spring, the English gardens display absolutely charming shades, all the nuances of white, blue, pink, mauve, and purple. It is this palette that acts everywhere, subtly enchanting us. The tonal variations are very well crafted, and the harmony that emerges is the result of a precise work of chromatic nuances of a distinctly British elegance.
Many gardens also feature monochromatic subspaces, a great specialty across the Channel, as seen here at Burton Agnes Hall, which includes a very successful yellow garden, blending blooms in a range of soft to vibrant yellows, with golden foliage, and offering views of the stunning Elizabethan manor.
Finally, in the Lake District, we see many ericaceous plants, as the soil here is conducive to their establishment. They are still in full bloom, like rhododendrons and azaleas. This gives, for example, in the garden of Holehird gardens, a more pronounced range of colours, equally attractive.
Mixed borders and key plants of the English garden
Throughout the gardens visited, certain perennial plants invariably reappear in the mixed borders and the walled gardens, absolutely stunning in their mastery and precision. The crambe, columbine, and astrantia, sanguisorba, cardoon, Oriental poppy, as well as Alliums, peonies still in bloom, roses, giant Thalictrums, and extravagant lupins!
The hostas that I see in most gardens are simply breathtaking here, enormous and in all colours, teasing you...
The ornaments of English gardens
Strolling through English gardens also means discovering a thousand details to inspire beautiful arrangements back home. If the English are great lovers of benches and seats, they multiply them at will in their gardens, providing the perfect resting spot with views not to be missed. I love them all: wooden, wrought iron, painted, with a vintage look, often Victorian style or in the Arts & Crafts movement.
I also love the supports placed everywhere to help sweet peas and other wonders climb, as well as the obelisks that add incredible charm to all these gardens. The largest gardens willingly use structures, like in our country, these constructions designed to enhance the garden, such as kiosks. Below, at the estate of Chatsworth, you can find these follies in the wild garden, as well as divine arches leading up the hill to the vast vegetable garden.
Mulching, no mulching
Surprisingly, English flowerbeds are little or not mulched at all. Well… not like we do in France. The horde of gardeners in each garden partly explains this, as they do considerable work all year round, continuously weeding and tracking down every adventive. The black soil, rich in humus, results from a thick layer of decomposed mulch, which the plants love.
Close mowing… or differentiated mowing!
One of my biggest surprises was the treatment of the grassy areas. England has long been known for its passion for the famous English lawn, a true pride of gardeners in large estates or private gardens. The lawn holds great aesthetic value here, symbolising the opulence of the owners for centuries. It is one of the essential elements of the English garden, beautifully highlighting the planted scenes. During my visit to a first garden on the heights of Lake Windermere, I was astonished to hear a lawnmower buzzing while I was admiring the lush, perfectly manicured carpet of the walled garden. The gardener had just started mowing, even though the green and soft carpet looked like a billiard table!
Conversely, English gardens have evolved with the times and are also adopting more ecological methods applied to large spaces. In the vast gardens or parks, often found in all the beautiful estates visited, there are now large areas treated with differentiated management: tall grasses coexist with more manicured areas, and this no longer shocks anyone... and that's a good thing!
The garden of Haddon Hall surprised me the most, with, in an area I would call prestigious, just in front of the manor, two wide strips of unmown grass in the main driveway. Surprising, isn't it?
Borders with precision
Where does this feeling of elegance, harmony, and order come from when visiting an English garden? Beyond the lawns, fine and regular carpets, maintained both by human hands and the frequent, beneficial rains, it must be said that the precise borders are a common denominator in all the gardens visited. They add this admirable precision, counterbalanced by the opulence of the plants. The edges of the flowerbeds are so neat that not a blade of grass protrudes onto the soil.
While discussing with a team of gardeners at the York Gate gardens, one of them confessed to me that the borders are redone every week! In such spaces where the flowerbeds abound, I thought they must do nothing else, since on 4000 m², they barely finish this laborious and meticulous task before having to start again! But this does not diminish the British calm, present here even in the gardens.
The rigor of these neat borders is sometimes balanced by the exuberance of a sprawling perennial, like a geranium that escapes, thereby softening an aspect that can sometimes seem almost unreal...
My advice: The Halls and castles are worth a visit in their own right, which does add a bit to the price of the garden, of course... If you have the time, don't hesitate to visit some private gardens as well. You can visit many during the summer period in England! And treat yourself to a lunch or an afternoon tea in all the tea rooms that are an integral part of the gardens in this country: the food is excellent, local, in a very British atmosphere, with superb decor...
I set off in early June for a trip to the north of England, where I hadn’t returned for (too) many years. It was in this region bordering Scotland that, as a teenager, I met my English pen pal and her family, who instilled in me a love for the English language and guided my […]
Flower Island, Atlantic Garden or the island of eternal spring… Madeira is beautifully named, and I have long wanted to explore this gem, known for its extraordinary richness of flora. Last year, I finally treated myself to a week of botanical relaxation on this enchanting island. After a three-hour flight from Nantes and a spectacular landing, Madeira is a wonderful destination for any plant enthusiast! With virtually no time difference, we are plunged into a completely tropical atmosphere.
At the beginning of spring, I invite you to soak up greenery and colour on these charming volcanic lands. My travel diary takes you on this first episode to the renowned gardens of the capital, Funchal!
Madeira, who are you?
This floating garden stretches over a small volcanic rock of 60 km by 25, covering 750 km². Madeira is part of a Portuguese archipelago consisting of four main islands, located a few thousand kilometres from the Portuguese coast. Set in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the archipelago belongs more broadly to what is known as Macaronesia, which includes the Azores, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde. It is situated at a latitude roughly level with Marrakech. It is the most densely populated island, as the other islands are practically uninhabited.
A dream island, renowned for the mildness of its climate, but especially for the incredible beauty of its lush vegetation, with grand gardens and flora growing along the roads. Knowing that a third of its area is situated above 1000 m, with Pico Ruivo reaching 1861 m, one immediately understands that this is a dream setting for hiking.
Its subtropical climate is characterised by a low thermal amplitude: as a result, plants grow all year round between 15 and 27°C, with these temperatures dropping as one ascends to the island's many peaks. Humidity is high, giving it a humid subtropical climate. Finally, winds are blocked in the centre by mountains, protecting the south and east, with the eastern tip being even arid. Depending on where you are on the island, the perception of heat and humidity will be quite different.
The city of Funchal, the island's capital, features numerous quintas, large mansions with sumptuous gardens, which can be visited from the outside, and two must-see gardens located on the heights of the city:
The Monte Palace tropical garden
Formerly a luxury hotel, Monte Palace is located between 475 and 570 m above sea level over the city of Funchal. It boasts no less than 10,000 species of plants across seven hectares, a must-visit for tourists who often access it via the cable car.
Here, an atmosphere is created with an Eastern influence thanks to the omnipresent red colour, with water appearing everywhere in the form of lakes, waterfalls emerging from caves, or ponds with koi carp, but the garden mixes styles, featuring fountains and Buddhist or very classical sculptures, while inviting ancient azulejos and Manueline-style doors. The overall effect is almost eclectic, but the profusion of plants and the tropical ambiance ensure an extraordinary change of scenery!
- The laurisilva: a large area at the entrance showcases the island's endemic flora. Descending a long avenue, one discovers the primary forest, the island's indigenous plants. This place is dense and wild, with few people wandering there, yet it immerses us in the island's interior, providing impressions of the many hikes Madeira has to offer.
- The oriental garden
It is impossible to overlook it, as it is at the heart of the incredible decor of Monte Palace. The red colour serves as a common thread, and the plants are not all those one might expect in a Japanese garden when hundreds of clivias catch the eye, but the exuberance is total, and the viewpoints are always different, as one descends the hill...
The collection of cycads
One of the areas features an exceptional collection of Cycadales, these plants that are halfway between ferns and palms, but belong to the gymnosperm family, like Ginkgo or conifers. They are true living fossils, with pinnate leaves, the most well-known among us being the Cycas revoluta. Here, one is left speechless in front of the enormous Encephalartos natalensis (part of the zamia family) and their prominent cones!
The orchids
An orchid nursery continues to amaze at the end of the path. They are countless, in shades of yellow, orange, white, or pink... Even without being an expert, one cannot help but be captivated by the extravagant shapes of their flowers and the exoticism they convey.
The botanical garden
A little lower than its illustrious neighbour, the Jardim Botânico is the other garden in Funchal not to be missed. Very different in atmosphere, it is like suspended at 300 m above sea level. In my opinion, the two gardens truly complement each other, and it would be a shame to favour one over the other.
The property visible at the entrance belonged to the Reid family, a famous family that built its fortune on Madeira wine, the origin of Reid’s Palace in Funchal, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. Here, 3.5 hectares await exploration, with 3,000 exotic plants to marvel at: here shade plants, there a garden of cacti and succulents, in the centre a choreographed display of plants, and lower down, elegant palms…
- The shade garden
For me, this area was a delight, a perfect tropical tableau with large leaves and a few grand blooms, even if it was a bit early in the season to enjoy it at its peak.
The garden reveals an extraordinary botanical diversity. One can see Crinums, clivias, amaryllis, and especially many beautiful foliage plants like tree ferns, Sphaeropteris cooperi (syn. Cyathea cooperi), graceful ferns (Niphidium crassifolium), epiphytic plants that colonise tree trunks, and colocasias! The plants find here the best conditions to grow: warmth and humidity, hence this profusion of vegetation.
- The succulent garden
Certainly one of the places that amazed me the most, as the shapes, textures, and colours of this garden within a garden are fascinating!
- The choreographed flowerbeds
This is one of the island's postcards: this large terrace offers a view of the bay of Funchal and an unobstructed view of the ocean, serving as the garden's belvedere. It consists of a large flowerbed in the shape of a rectangular checkerboard composed of several squares, where a series of green and purple plants are geometrically planted, resulting in a spectacular outcome. This is not the area I preferred, far from it. It even contrasts with the wild aspect of some areas of the garden, but one can admire the meticulous work of the gardeners.
But the botanical garden of Funchal still holds many wonders, such as the palm section, to be discovered at leisure, or the strelitzia, the birds of paradise, which are also emblematic...
Learn more
Monte Palace Tropical Garden, open daily except 25 December from 9:30 am to 6 pm, entry 12.50 euros
Botanical Garden, open daily except 25 December, from 9 am to 6 pm, entry 6 euros
Flower Island, Atlantic Garden or the island of eternal spring… Madeira is beautifully named, and I have long wanted to explore this gem, known for its extraordinary richness of flora. Last year, I finally treated myself to a week of botanical relaxation on this enchanting island. After a three-hour flight from Nantes and a spectacular […]
Flower of celebration par excellence, Amaryllis suffers, in the eyes of some, from a somewhat outdated image. Let's be honest, when we think about it, it's often the picture of a bright red flower, a bit too high up, blooming like the bell of a gramophone that sticks in our minds...
The Amaryllis as seen by the sceptics!
It often perfectly matches the traditional colours of Christmas, but it would be a shame to keep this caricatured image and confine this flower to that period!
Why? Because:
- the Amaryllis is a valuable plant for brightening our homes all winter,
- its flowers come in a wide range of colours and last a long time,
- new varieties offer very interesting flower shapes, suitable for many styles of decoration...
- children love to follow its daily progress... which easily occupies them for 2 minutes a day while waiting for Father Christmas
Here are a few staging ideas that will prove to you that not only can the Amaryllis have style, but it can also be used in the home until spring!
Amaryllis are perfect for decorating the home at Christmas. Create atmospheres with the double Marilyn Amaryllis or the Benfica Amaryllis
Very chic, Amaryllis offer clean lines that suit classic or minimalist interiors. Opt for simple, refined varieties like 'Royal Velvet' (left photo), Christmas Gift or Amputo
Sophisticated flowers (like those of the Papilio Amaryllis or Rio Negro) fit perfectly in a natural setting.
The Amaryllis is also a perfect flower for bringing spring into the home and creating "girly" scenes. Dare to use pink and varieties with striated petals like candy canes, such as the Estella Amaryllis, Sweet Nymph, Pink Surprise, Gervase or even Apple Blossom...</
Some little tips to showcase your Amaryllis:
- stage them: to shine in society, your Amaryllis need to be highlighted. For this, at home, provide a rather plain background that will enhance the elegance of their flowers. On your festive table, this could be a simple tablecloth or, at home, a coloured wall.
- accompany them: Amaryllis are sometimes criticised for their somewhat artificial look: compensate by adding natural elements like decorative branches (dogwoods are perfect, as well as holly or willow when it shows its catkins).
- carefully choose the container that holds them: the star is your Amaryllis! Opt for either a neutral pot or vase that will fade into the background, or a container that matches the desired atmosphere (earth, zinc, pot covered with simple kraft paper for natural settings, soft colours for spring...)
I hope you are now reconciled with Amaryllis! For everything you need to know about their planting and care, feel free to consult our advice sheets: "Planting an Amaryllis in a pot for indoors" and "Amaryllis: how to care for, bloom and rebloom".
Flower of celebration par excellence, Amaryllis suffers, in the eyes of some, from a somewhat outdated image. Let’s be honest, when we think about it, it’s often the picture of a bright red flower, a bit too high up, blooming like the bell of a gramophone that sticks in our minds… It often perfectly matches […]
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to do some woofing (volunteering) in the Hautes-Alpes with a willow grower – basket maker, and participated in the harvest of willow – I have wonderful memories of a field filled with a multitude of young plants of willows in vibrant colours, red – orange – yellow... a magnificent sight! I learned to make baskets from willow and discovered that living willow hedges or huts can be a stunning decorative element in a garden.
What is referred to as "willow" is Salix intended for weaving. Willow is interesting because it is very flexible and strong. It has long, slender branches that are weakly ramified and easy to weave. It is a deciduous plant: if you create a hut or a hedge from willow, it will be more open in winter, allowing views through the branches. Willow also has the advantage of providing beautiful wood and light, tender green foliage. There are many different species and varieties used for basketry, selected based on their colour and characteristics.
You can do a lot with willow! Sculptures, huts, hedges, arbors, tipis, borders... It is truly possible to have fun and create original elements! Basketry is a beautiful way to combine art and gardening. A few willow objects in a garden add a lot of charm, with a unique and creative touch.
Examples of living willow creations
How to create a living willow hedge?
A living willow hedge is ideal for separating different areas of the garden or creating a boundary along the edge of a property. Very aesthetic, it adorns itself with tender green foliage in spring, and in autumn-winter, this disappears to beautifully reveal the colour of the wood and the detail of the weaving. The advantage is that you can create a custom hedge, with the height you desire, and personalise it.
Willow is a plant that does not like drought: living willow basketry is therefore more suited to soils that remain relatively cool in summer. Willow also prefers deep soils. Some willow producers sell long stems intended for the creation of a hedge. They should measure between 1 and 2 metres in length, depending on the desired height of the hedge. If you do not plant them immediately, you can temporarily keep the stems (for about two weeks) by placing them outside in a shaded spot, with the base of the stems in water. The varieties that seem most suitable for living basketry are Salix alba 'Vitellina' and Salix fragilis.
A living willow hedge. The stems are woven two by two, crossing alternately over and under another pair of stems. (photo: Hugues-Mircea Paillet)
Plant between autumn and the end of winter, when the plant is in its dormant phase and no longer has leaves. We recommend weaving the stems two by two for added strength, although a single stem weaving may suffice for a small project.
- To plant a hedge, you should start by working the soil to loosen it while adding some well-decomposed compost. Work the area to about thirty centimetres in width and depth.
- Place a stake at each end of the hedge, then intermediate stakes spaced a few metres apart. Use a string line to ensure you plant straight.
- Stretch two horizontal wires between the stakes (at the top and in the middle) to provide stability to the hedge.
- Plant the willow stems along the string line, with the buds facing upwards. You can plant them in pairs for a small project, but we recommend grouping them in fours for a proper hedge. They should be buried 20 to 30 cm in the soil.
- Weave by taking one stem (if you planted them in pairs) or two stems (if they are in fours) each time. Cross the stems, placing them alternately underneath and then above each other. The space – the void – between the stems should form diamonds. You can secure the stems each time they cross by tying them with a raffia or willow tie.
- When you reach the end of a row (at a stake), secure the stems to the stake and then go back in the opposite direction and continue weaving.
- Water generously.
Continue to water during the first year. Willow is a fast-growing plant: it is advisable to prune it each year, in winter and possibly in summer. You can apply mulch at the base to limit weeding and keep the soil cool.
Different stages of weaving a living willow hedge (photos: Hugues-Mircea Paillet)
Further reading...
- Our range of willows and our pre-woven willows
- To discover all the techniques: "I Weave Living Willow - 10 Models to Create in Your Garden" - Terre Vivante
- Discover the basketry and weaving magazine - The Creative Link
- The website of Tresselavie, which offers training and workshops in basketry
- The website of the association The Possible Willow Grove
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to do some woofing (volunteering) in the Hautes-Alpes with a willow grower – basket maker, and participated in the harvest of willow – I have wonderful memories of a field filled with a multitude of young plants of willows in vibrant colours, red – orange – yellow… […]
Ornamental grasses have, for a few years now, their moment in the sun. And it is well deserved! Natural, airy, these wind-born beauties, look good for at least nine months out of twelve, often presenting a very different appearance as the seasons change. They are now essential in many gardens, and the horticulturists know this well, offering new varieties each year that join an already extensive range. It is therefore tricky to navigate, especially when you are just beginning to take an interest!
So here is a small selection of perennials grasses: 10 safe bets, ideal for taking your first steps into the world of "wild grasses"!
1) Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster
It is certainly one of the best-known grasses… and justified, it’s a real dependable performer! Very ornamental, this Calamagrostis offers glossy green foliage in spring and turns gold in winter. Tall and slender, it plants tall plume-like spikes, rose-bronze, in late summer. Upright as an I-beam, but not stiff, this grass does not take up much space and truly structures a border. It also has the good habit of swaying with a gentle nonchalance… a gentle nonchalance it can share with the gardener because maintenance is minimalist. In short, a concentrate of everything we love about grasses!
In the garden, it’s planted in a border, with the full range of perennials for naturalistic gardens. Of rapid growth, it is also very suitable for forming attractive screens
- Height - width: 2 m x 50 cm
- Soil: all types
- Exposure: sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: down to -15°C
- Pruning: cut back in March - April
Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster
2) Carex oshimensis Everest
Bright, this carex captivates with its blue-green foliage, lightly edged with cream white, depending on exposure. Its leaves, slightly arching, give it a supple silhouette. Perfect in a border or in large pots, it grows happily in the dry shade under trees. Evergreen, it would benefit from year-round presence and will be a good companion for spring bulbs, the silvery foliage of Brunnera, for example. Graphical, it can even be planted in mass in modern gardens or in contemporary planters.
- Height - width: 30 cm x 35 cm
- Soil: cool to moist, but tolerates occasional drought
- Exposure: all, with a preference for partial shade
- Hardiness: down to -15°C
- Pruning: unnecessary, prune if needed
Carex oshimensis Everest® - Oshima Sedge
PS: Some readers of this blog are particularly attentive, so I should point out that the carex, botanically, is not a grass, but a Cyperaceae (not to be confused with the Cupressaceae, by the way!). Nevertheless, its fine foliage makes it common to include it in the grasses category.
3) Deschampsia caespitosa Goldschleier
This pretty variety will delight all those who love lightness and a natural look. Spectacular, this tufted grass forms a compact clump of green, very fine leaves. Evergreen, they remain present throughout the year. In late summer, they bear elegant, loose panicles, golden-yellow subtly silvered.
It is a bright grass that is very easy to use and whose appearance evokes the vast plains of wild meadows. Its translucence is very appealing in a border, and its golden then silver hue, at the end of flowering, contrasts particularly well behind dark plants.
- Height - width: 1 m x 80 cm
- Soil: rather moist, even heavy
- Exposure: sun, light shade
- Hardiness: down to -15°C
- Pruning: cut back only the dry flowering stems in March - April… and do nothing if you wish to allow spontaneous self-seeding
Deschampsia caespitosa Goldschleier
4) Blue Fescue Elijah Blue
This variety is an improved version of the classic blue fescue (Festuca glauca). Its tint, surprising to the uninitiated, takes on superb steel-blue highlights that further enhance its appeal. It flowers in early summer and then bears, on slender stems, fine silvery panicles.
Undemanding, it is a low-growing grass that forms fairly dense hemispherical tufts. It is perfect for difficult spots as it tolerates dry and poor soils. It is also the most durable variety!
Delightful in a border, this fescue can also be used to create “drifts” of blue grass. Its colour, unusual, is easier to pair than it seems. It enhances both greens and pinks and purples… In the garden or in a pot, do not hesitate to mix it with heathers or with Heucheras too!
- Height - width: 25 cm x 25 cm
- Soil: dry, poor
- Exposure: sun, light shade
- Hardiness: down to -15°C
- Pruning: cut back the flowering stems and, if needed, shorten the fine foliage in late February
Blue Fescue Elijah Blue - Festuca glauca
5) Hakonechloa macra All Gold
Hakonechloa macra All Gold is a very decorative Japanese grass that stands out for the graphic quality and brightness of its foliage. It forms a large cushion of arching leaves, giving it a cascading look. It is a shade- and partial-shade-loving plant that thickens slowly and can live for many years in moist soil. In the garden, save it for woodland-style settings where it will pair wonderfully with Japanese maple trees, hostas, ferns…
- Height - width: 40 cm x 50 cm
- Soil: humus-rich, cool to moist
- Exposure: shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: down to -15°C
- Pruning: unnecessary… it is a nearly self-cleaning grass; the old foliage detaches very easily as the next shoots arrive in spring.
Japanese Forest Grass - Hakonechloa macra All Gold
6) Molinia arundinacea Transparent
Do you know many plants that stand out for their transparency? Here is one! Mist-like, this tall evergreen grass with arching leaves shines with the delicacy of its golden flowering and the slender stems that bear them. Preferring clayey and moist soils, this Molinia grows quickly. Architectural, graphical, it pairs with almost anything and will also benefit from the rays of a setting sun. Despite its height, the panicles form a very light cloud; you can plant it at the border of a border and pair it with plants in bright colours (Dahlia, Rudbeckia, Helianthus…) to temper the colours and bring a more natural touch.
- Height - width: 1.80 m x 60 cm
- Soil: humus-rich, cool to moist
- Exposure: shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: down to -15°C
- Pruning: cut back only the dry flowering stems in March - April
Molinia caerulea ssp arundinacea Transparent
7) Miscanthus sinensis Gracillimus
True "best-seller", highly regarded in contemporary gardens, this Miscanthus or Eulalia is also the oldest. Suffice to say, it has stood the test of time! It forms a handsome clump of very fine leaves, edged by a white central vein. Its flowering, quite late, occurs at the end of September. Then pretty plume-like inflorescences appear, coppery while the foliage turns gold.
This Miscanthus is also very versatile. It can be planted as a specimen, in a border with autumn-flowering perennials and even as a hedge. Also know that it is a plant that can be useful: its leaves, chopped, make an excellent mulch.
- Height - width: 1.80 m x 60 cm
- Soil: rich, cool, but well-drained
- Exposure: sun
- Hardiness: down to -15°C
- Pruning: cut back in March - April
Miscanthus sinensis Gracillimus - Eulalia
8) Panicum virgatum Rehbraun
This Panicum virgatum (often called the “Switch Grass”) is an excellent variety. It stands upright and its foliage and flowers take on vibrant red and orange hues in late summer. Truly spectacular, this North American native grass also shows great tolerance. It withstands both drought and wet conditions… and boasts remarkable hardiness. In the garden, pair it with other grasses or plant it with shrubs showing autumn colours (Berberis, Euonymus fortunei 'Red Cascade'…), it will be perfect to complete the scene.
- Height - width: 1.20 m x 50 cm
- Soil: tolerant
- Exposure: sun
- Hardiness: down to -15°C
- Pruning: cut back in March - April
Switch Grass Panicum virgatum Rehbraun
9) Pennisetum alopecuroides Hameln
This fountain grass variety is a must-have! Medium-sized (about 50 cm tall), it forms a compact tuft of narrow leaves. It shows, in late summer and autumn, a flowering of gentle cream-white spikes turning brown at maturity. Its ornamental interest lasts into winter, especially when frost dresses its pretty seed-heads. Versatile and easy to grow, Pennisetum 'Hameln' can be used over large areas, as a ground-cover, or at the border. In a border, it is striking with perennials a little wild such as Echinacea, Gaura, or Verbena bonariensis. And like all autumn-flowering grasses, it is perfect with Asters.
- Height - width: 50 cm x 50 cm
- Soil: tolerant provided it is well-drained
- Exposure: sun
- Hardiness: down to -15°C
- Pruning: cut back in March - April
Pennisetum alopecuroides Hameln
10) Stipa gigantea
In the Stipa family, we know well the “angel hair” (Stipa tenuifolia), but much less its very tall sister: Stipa gigantea. Spectacular, this giant oat shines with its height (about 200 cm) and the lightness of its flowering. It forms a dense tuft of very fine blue-green leaves topped in summer by delicate purple-silver awns that turn gold. Native to the Mediterranean basin, this grass grows well almost anywhere and fears only two things: waterlogged soils in winter and climates too harsh. In the garden, it is ideal for introducing verticality and pairs very well with summer perennials such as Echinops, Gaura, or Verbena bonariensis, and with shrubs that colour beautifully in autumn (Berberis, Euonymus fortunei 'Red Cascade'…), it will be perfect to complete the scene.
- Height - width: 2 m x 1 m
- Soil: tolerant provided it is well-drained
- Exposure: sun
- Hardiness: down to -10°C
- Pruning: cut back only the dry flowering stems in March - April
Stipa gigantea - Giant Stipa
→ Watch Stipa gigantea in our video 'Grasses for Summer'
If this shortlist has made you want to learn more about grasses, don’t hesitate to explore the different guides and tips we have dedicated to them on Promesse de fleurs, in the garden!
Ornamental grasses have, for a few years now, their moment in the sun. And it is well deserved! Natural, airy, these wind-born beauties, look good for at least nine months out of twelve, often presenting a very different appearance as the seasons change. They are now essential in many gardens, and the horticulturists know this […]
The exotic-style garden is attracting an increasing number of gardeners. Bamboo, palm trees, and banana plants are among the most popular plants for creating scenes that evoke the tropical jungle, but there are many others! To make this dream accessible and sustainable, both outdoors and even in cold climates, there is only one option: to choose truly hardy plants that can withstand winter's harshness. Here is a small selection of our favourite plants (bushes and perennials)!
1) Trachycarpus fortunei, known as "Hemp Palm" - Hardiness: -18 °C
No, palm trees are not just on the Croisette… they can also be found in northern France, for example, with the Trachycarpus fortunei, which can withstand temperatures down to -18 °C. This ability to face the cold comes from its mountainous origins (China and Japan) as well as the thick fibre that protects its trunk. It can reach heights of 8 to 10 metres and prefers rich, light soil, thriving in full sun or partial shade.
2) The Banana plant or Musa basjoo - Hardiness: -12 °C to -15 °C
The Musa basjoo is an outdoor banana plant, hardy, also known as the "Japanese Banana". It is a valiant plant that generally does not produce fruit but displays its large decorative leaves each year. It can grow over 2 metres tall, and even more if you ensure it receives what it needs: regular watering and rich soil. Its only weakness lies in poor wind resistance. If you don’t want its leaves to be turned into sad little brooms, it is essential to protect it by planting it in a sheltered area or a walled space.
Slightly less hardy but still quite resilient, also discover the Sikkim banana (or Sikkim Banana) Red Tiger, a variety with graphic leaves, light green with a purple underside, elegantly striped with burgundy.
3) Bamboos: Phyllostachys vivax and Fargesia robusta - Hardiness: -20 °C and -15 °C
Bamboos are among the classics of exotic gardens, but their hardiness varies greatly depending on the species and varieties. Among the most spectacular, we particularly like the Phyllostachys vivax 'Huangwenzhu', a giant bamboo (running… plan for a rhizome barrier) that can grow its green canes striped with yellow to over 10 metres tall. Fast-growing, it will quickly form a small forest. Relatively smaller in size (4 to 5 metres tall) and non-running, the Fargesia robusta is better suited for small gardens. It features long green leaves and bright green culms.
4) Fatsia japonica Spider's Web - Hardiness: -15 °C
The Fatsia japonica 'Spider's Web' is a shrub with a unique personality! About 2 metres tall, this Aralia showcases dark green, evergreen foliage splashed with cream-white. Its palmate leaves can reach up to 20 cm in diameter. In summer, they are topped with round white flowers that later turn into decorative black berries. This shrub thrives in shade or partial shade, in cool soil.
5) Tetrapanax papyrifera Rex, Rice Paper Plant - Hardiness: -10 °C
Halfway between a shrub and a perennial, Tetrapanax papyrifera 'Rex' is an exuberant plant that captivates with the XXL size and cut shape of its leaves that spread out like a parasol. Native to China and Japan, it is a rhizomatous plant, like bamboo, that tends to spread and may require a rhizome barrier. It grows in non-burning sun or partial shade, in fertile and rather cool soil. Its loose habit and Asian charm make this plant a perfect complement to bamboos.
Note that the aerial parts of this plant are destroyed at -5 °C, but it will regrow from the rootstock above -10 °C, once well established.
6) Colocasia Pink China - Elephant Ear - Hardiness: -10 °C to -12 °C
Lush, the Colocasia 'Pink China' stands out for the heart-shaped form and the colour of its large foliage: a lovely soft blue-green that contrasts with the pink of its petioles. Well known to houseplant enthusiasts, this colocasia can be grown in the garden, provided you mulch it to protect it during winter. It is planted in full sun or partial shade, in cool, humus-rich soil, and appreciates regular watering in summer.
7) Astilboides tabularis - Hardiness: -20 °C
The Astilboides tabularis (sometimes called Rodgersia tabularis) is a spectacular woodland plant that stands out for its large, entire, rounded leaves, about 60 cm in diameter. It quickly forms a clump that can reach 1 metre high and 70 cm wide, or even more if the soil suits it. Its generous foliage is accompanied, in early summer, by light, creamy-white spikes of flowers. It is an ideal perennial for shade, thriving in rich, cool, but well-drained soils.
8) Dryopteris wallichiana, Large golden-scaled fern - Hardiness: -15 °C
Majestic, Dryopteris wallichiana is a large fern that unfurls a remarkable cut foliage highlighted by a black vein in spring. Of tall stature (1 to 1.5 metres high) and beautiful appearance, it somewhat resembles tree ferns, especially as its short basal trunk develops with age. It is a variety that is quite easy to cultivate, thriving in deep, very rich humus soil. It will look stunning in a border and can be accompanied by another hardy fern: the Eastern Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia orientalis).
9) Hosta Empress Wu
Hostas are well known for their hardiness and ability to grow in shade or partial shade. While some fit easily into classic borders, others offer such abundant foliage that they easily find their place in a tropical-looking garden. This is the case for the giant Hosta 'Empress Wu', certainly the largest variety that can reach 1.3 metres in all directions in just a few years and displays magnificent blue-green foliage. It is a perennial that requires nourishment and water to express its full potential.
10) Begonia grandis evansiana - Hardiness: -15 °C
Begonias are not just for window boxes: Begonia grandis evansiana, a botanical species, perennial and resistant down to -18 °C here is proof! Its heart-shaped green foliage forms a beautiful bushy clump about 80 cm high and 50 cm wide, adorned throughout the summer with numerous small pink flowers borne on reddish stems. It can be grown in the ground or in pots, ideally in partial shade and in rich, cool soil.
The exotic-style garden is attracting an increasing number of gardeners. Bamboo, palm trees, and banana plants are among the most popular plants for creating scenes that evoke the tropical jungle, but there are many others! To make this dream accessible and sustainable, both outdoors and even in cold climates, there is only one option: to […]
I had the opportunity to learn basketry a few years ago while volunteering with a willow-basket maker, a producer of osier. This craft, which involves weaving plants, is an art accessible to everyone and requires little in the way of tools... Not to mention that you can easily find plants in the wild to weave! There is a fairly fascinating aspect to assembling the strands, passing them one over the other, and gradually seeing an object take shape, slowly. Basketry is a patient craft. It’s a know‑how that is fading, and basket makers have become quite rare in France, because this craft demands a lot of time and is therefore costly... However, for personal use, you can always enjoy weaving willow!
Basketry involves weaving strands by passing them from one side to the other around fixed vertical strands that act as uprights (photo Marthe Lelievre)
Des utilisations variées au jardin
Des utilisations variées au jardin
La vannerie est souvent utilisée pour fabriquer des paniers en osier, mais on peut aussi concevoir de nombreux objets pour le jardin : un nichoir pour les oiseaux, des supports pour les plantes grimpantes, des cloisons pour séparer différentes parties du jardin, de petites bordures pour les massifs... Des haies, claustras, tonnelles, pergolas, tipis, cabanes pour enfants... Il suffit de laisser libre cours à son imagination ! La vannerie permet de concevoir de véritables œuvres d’art et sculptures végétales. Les possibilités sont infinies, et les objets en vannerie s'intègrent très facilement au mobilier de jardin.
Willow easily finds its place in the garden! On the left, in the garden "In Search of the White Lupin", at the Chaumont-sur-Loire Garden Festival (2017). On the right, in front of the National School of Basketry and Willow Work in Fayl-Billot (photo Ji-Elle).
A small willow border can fit into a garden, for example to delineate flower beds (photo: Hugues-Mircea Paillet)
The weaving of a willow border (photo: Hugues-Mircea Paillet)
Cultiver son osier ?
Les brins d'osier sont en réalité des branches de saule destinées à être tressées. Il est tout à fait possible de cultiver du saule pour cet usage. Il existe de nombreuses variétés, ce qui permet d’obtenir différentes couleurs ! Les espèces couramment utilisées sont Salix triandra, Salix purpurea, Salix alba et Salix viminalis, et l'une des meilleures variétés pour la vannerie est le Salix triandra 'Noir de Villaines'. Le saule se multiplie très facilement par bouturage, et de nombreux osiériculteurs-vanniers proposent des boutures à vendre. N’hésitez pas à cultiver du saule : en plus de vous permettre de tresser ses branches, vous pouvez l’utiliser pour ses propriétés médicinales (son écorce renferme de l'acide salicylique, proche de l'aspirine), pour le BRF (paillage) ou comme stimulant racinaire pour réussir vos boutures (l'eau de saule peut remplacer l’hormone de bouturage). Plantez de préférence en fin d’hiver, vers le mois de mars, dans un sol profond et qui reste relativement frais en été. Vous pouvez aussi acheter directement chez des vanniers des brins d'osier prêts à être tressés ! On trouve des osiers "bruts", naturels, et des osiers auxquels on a retiré l’écorce, pour obtenir un brin de couleur blanche.
An orchard for willow intended for basketry (photo Ji-Elle) / Bales of willow ready to be woven (photo Marthe Lelievre). Willow is decorticated, with the bark removed.
... ou le récolter dans la nature ?
You can easily find wild willow in nature to harvest. The species used for basketry (Salix alba, purpurea, viminalis and triandra) are plants that occur in France in the wild, mainly along waterways. You can search for them and harvest them. Choose the longest, straight, fairly fine branches. And although willow is by far the most commonly used for basketry, many other plants can be used! These include hedge clematis, red-stemmed dogwood, hazel, honeysuckle, hops or rush, to name just a few. It’s even possible to mix several species to obtain different colours, for example by incorporating a few branches of red-stemmed dogwood into a willow structure.
Harvesting takes place from late November to early December until February, when the plant is in vegetative rest (the leaves have fallen and the sap has not yet risen).
A basket I made / A bird box
Pour aller plus loin...
Further reading...
La vannerie est un art un peu technique... Si cela vous intéresse, de nombreux vanniers proposent des stages ou formations ! Découvrez aussi les livres qui ont été écrits sur le sujet.
- Wild Basketry, de Bernard Bertrand, publié aux Editions de Terran. Un superbe livre, en deux tomes, qui explique comment tresser des plantes sauvages. Chaque tome est accompagné d’un DVD.
- The Ecole Nationale d'Osiériculture et de Vannerie de Fayl-Billot, unique in its kind, offers training that prepares for the profession of a basket maker.
- The site of Tresselavie, which offers courses and training
- The site of L’Oseraie du possible, a collective of basket makers
I had the opportunity to learn basketry a few years ago while volunteering with a willow-basket maker, a producer of osier. This craft, which involves weaving plants, is an art accessible to everyone and requires little in the way of tools… Not to mention that you can easily find plants in the wild to weave! […]