-
The “Ice Saints” in the South of France. No, there are (usually) no more sub-zero temperatures in May or even in April here in Capestang. February and March offer many days with warm sun and 20+ ℃. And it can…
-
Viburnum tinus
The laurel-leaved Viburnum is a native of the Mediterranean region, the Near East and North Africa. Supposedly it prefers shady, humid areas – in my garden I have an older specimen in full sun and it does just fine. Another…
-
Dianthus
I love the scent of Dianthus and in the first fall after our arrival I planted five Dianthus gratianopolitanus – thinking that they would be drought- and heat-resistant, based on my Swiss gardening experience. Alas, I now know that this plant…
-
Photinia fraseri
Along with eleagnus ebbingei, our garden is bordered by a few big Photinia fraseri “Red Robin” bushes. Apparently it is one of the most widely planted evergreen hedge shrubs in European gardens. Despite its elegant looks and soft glossy leaves,…
-
Yucca
It was quite charming at first to discover yucca in the garden. Beyond seeing them inside in pots I had no experience with them growing outside. Yucca as “Palm Tree” We have one Yucca that must have been put outside…
-
Waiting
“Garten heisst Warten” – a German phrase I coined a few years back in my Swiss garden. It means that gardening is mostly about waiting: Waiting until you can plant stuff.Waiting for stuff to grow. Waiting for stuff to bloom.…