I have been to the city a few times, the last time when my eldest was two but this was the first time I had taken both of my children. They were so excited to see the buzzy streets, musicians, river Seine and amazing architecture.
We made a visit on our last day to Les Jardins des Plantes, the Botanical Gardens of Paris. The boys went to the Menagerie whilst I had half an hour to mosey on through the gardens. I couldn't have done justice to the extraordinarily beautiful glasshouses so I didn't go in but I did get to see some of the plantings. The soil is so dry and dusty in Paris, it is in stark contrast to the soil I work with in England. It must make it difficult to display all varieties of plants but I did notice a huge Melianthus major that was enjoying the hot dry conditions, lots of Salvias and plants native to New Zealand such as the Sophora which has bright yellow pods hanging from thin stems. Also known as Kowhai.
All around Paris right now are the blossoming Judas trees (Cercis siliquastrum). They are so pretty and I cannot get enough of the way the flowers come straight off the trunk in some cases. They pop up everywhere; Jardins des Tuileries, along the Seine, Notre Dame, we saw some up by Sacre Coeur.
City life means that parks become a very important part of the landscape and offer a breath of fresh air to inhabitants. Paris has lots of them and it is a joy to escape the traffic and stroll through gardens along the Seine or find an iron gate off a street to wander through and find a park. One of the things I miss about living in London - the juxtaposition of city and park. The bustle, the escape and the ability to return to the bustle almost immediately.
Back to it and the gardens at Heale are delightful, so much to see, so lush, so beautiful. Greens and blossoms and all on its way. I have been sowing Roots, planting Salads, pricking out, sowing under glass and planting and staking our single cordon Sweet peas.
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