California Gardeners Club

AT OUR November meeting Sylvia Hawes took us for a visit to four of the Châteaux of the Loire Valley (with some assistance from Dick!)

In the 15th and 16th centuries it was fashionable for the French aristocrats to own a place in the country to get away from the danger of plague in town, or to house their mistresses. There were at least 73 châteaux between Orleans and Angers. Sylvia gave us a brief interesting history of the four, before showing the details of the gardens.

Chenonceau is the most visited place in France after Versailles and its gardens are said to be the most beautiful in the country. The plan is geometric and the beds are replanted twice a year with 130,000 flowering plants. The vegetable and flower gardens provide cut flowers and food for the house.

Villandry’s gardens are on three levels; the top level has 1,015 lime trees which take three months to prune in winter. Below is the ornamental garden where box hedges form symbols which are allegories for love, in-filled with tulips and forget me nots in spring.

Even the vegetable garden is planted in nine squares of box. On the third level is the lake surrounded by lawn.

Chateau D’Azay Le Rideau is a World Heritage Site and is now being renovated. At the time of Napoleon the English Romantic style became popular and the formal gardens and parterres were ripped out and lakes and canals created. Trees planted then were newly introduced rarities from the Americas.

Château du Rivau is very different. Nowadays it is marketed as the château with Fairy Tale Gardens and appeals to children with its enchanted wood. There is also a lot of wacky “modern art” in the grounds. Not to mention a collection of over 300 perfumed roses if you prefer!

Our next meeting will be the Christmas Party on December 4, get your ticket now!

LYNN POTTS