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I did a lot of research before starting my garden here – and I’m still researching. But sometimes I also just try stuff like springtime plants I’ve grown in more northerly gardens. I’ve found that a plant’s natural habitat can…
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The Glory of Poppies
Common poppies or Papaver rhoeas are endemic to the Mediterranean countryside, growing in profusion along the roads and on fallow meadows, turning the countryside red in April. They are natives of North Africa but naturalized on almost every continent. A…
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Eleagnus ebbingei (submacrophylla)
Heavenly Scent & Drought Resistance in One. The side of the garden towards the neighbors is largely planted with Eleagnus x Ebbingei, now known as Eleagnus submacrophylla or “Chalef” in Garden-French. This shrub was totally unknown to me and when…
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And lead us not into temptation
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…
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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…
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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…