Courson - Journees des Plantes, Printemps 2001

Les Journees des Plantes de Courson, May 2001

SHOW REVIEW

Gardening is an activity that makes us friends everywhere.

Gardeners cross national boundaries easily and are inspired and intrigued to see how the rest of the world handles plants, design and to discover new practical gardening techniques. For this reason alone, the Journees des Plantes is a fascinating experience. It is also a gardener's retail heaven.

Once you pass between the twin gatehouses at Domaine de Courson you realise that you are in for a great day.

International Speaker Series
More than a giant open air plant and gardening fair, although it undeniably a retail experience not to be missed, the 'Journees des Plantes' at Courson include a speaker series that attracts some of the most expert in horticultural circles. This year, following along the themes of Poppies and the hedgerow.

This year Christopher Grey-Wilson spoke on the Poppy. Found in many different countries and climates, the poppy is a fscinating and very garden-worthy plant.

Dominique Mansion on hedges and entered a plea for more imagination and more diversity, the proliferation of Leyland cypress and thuja hedges were changing the French countryside and not for the better.

Anna Pavord, a recent visitor to New Zealand, spoke on The Tulip. Dann Smit and Christophe Bourex gave a lecture on the botany and symbolism of plants in the Bible and Jean-Jacques Labat on carnivorous plants during the time of the dinosaurs until today.

Exhibitors
The exhibitors are selected carefully and more than 250 come to Courson from all over Europe to set up their displays beneath the majestic trees in the park that surround this lovely 17th century chateau.

Courson appeals to the expert gardener and the beginner alike. The atmosphere is very relaxed, uncrowded, fun and yet stimulating. With so many plants, bulbs, roses, perennials it is hard to leave empty-handed.

We were delighted to see a very recognisable kiwi, a dwarf pohutukawa (Metrosideros), given pride of place in a collection of exotic and special plants and also, featured on the Meilland stand, Rosa 'Terracotta' which was, they proudly proclaimed 'ne Nouvelle Zealande' or bred in New Zealand!

The roses were especially lovely and there were several stands doing brisk trade in this ever-popular flower. As roses are such a feature, it to be expected that Domaine de Courson should have its own rose.

The roses were especially lovely and there plenty going home

There were sumptuous clematis, iris, lupins and perennials. Tree ferns and architectural plants were also on display. The peonies on display, both herbaceous and tree peonies, were gorgeous and tempting.

The fashion-plant of the moment, Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum', that we were to see so much of at the Chelsea Flower Showa few days later, was there, but the colour range was wider than the Chelsea love affair with blue.

And then there are the essential accessories for the serious and not-so-serious gardener. Impressive and expensive gardening tools from Le Prince Jardinier, as well as many other stands displaying of secateurs, spades, garden stakes and more.

The irresistible fold-up wheelbarrows were out in force. A demonstration of trug making caught the eye and provided many a shopper with the ideal basket for taking home their goodies.