In the garden – August

 July has brought some unseasonal cool, windy weather and some rain ..  not so bad for the garden but not very good for the holiday makers. Nonetheless,  August is usually the driest month of the year and one in which the garden  is  often resting and can look a bit jaded. However, with a careful choice of plants it is still possible to have lots of colour in the garden during August. 

 

The ever popular Gaura is still in flower, there are a number of new cultivars around now – Gaura Rosy Jane has pretty bicoloured flowers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less well known is Epilobium Western Hills from California which associates well with Eriogonum fasiculatum (California Buckwheat) whose foaming white flowers are a magnet for bees and butterflies.

 

 

 

Despite the recent rain watering and weeding where and when necessary will continue to be ongoing tasks, remember that watering a flower bed the evening before weeding will usually make the job easier.  Containers and hanging baskets may need watering daily during the very hot period but if you are watering your garden remember that a deep soaking once a week or fortnight is much more effective than frequent sprinkling.

 

During August think about the following:

 

• Towards the end of the month start to divide perennials such as iris and day lilies (Hemerocallis) which will not flower again this year 
• Continue deadheading perennials which will repeat flower such as Coreopsis, Gaillardias and Rudbeckia to encourage a second flowering.  Cut back hardy geraniums to encourage new growth.
• Collect seeds from annuals such as Cosmos and Californian poppies, you can sow these  next spring
• Clip back lavenders once they have finished flowering, but never into old wood
• Prune wisteria – leave any long stems that you want to encourage to extend the framework of the plant, cut back completely any stems which are totally unwanted and cut back all other stems to two or three buds on each stem
• Clear fallen leaves affected by blackspot from around roses
• Prune roses which aren’t repeat flowering once all flowers have finished

 

At La Petite Pépinière we shall be offering gardening courses again during the autumn months, the exact programme will be decided soon and details will be on the website – www.lapetitepepiniere.com – The Nursery – Gardening Courses.

 

 For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates, garden advice and consultation), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois.

Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com

www.lapetitepepiniere.com

 

Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment – just phone or email to fix another time

 

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In the garden – July

 

First of all – a big big thank you to everyone who, despite slightly ‘iffy’ weather, supported our open weekend (Portes Ouvertes)  in early June.  It was great to see and talk to so many people.

 

Summer isn’t really a time for planting but do come and visit the garden here during the summer months and observe what is in flower. July can be one of the driest months of the year and a time in which the garden  is  often resting and can look a bit jaded with not so much colour, especially as one tends to buy plants in the spring and to buy plants that are in flower at the time. Plants which do flower in the summer and which are drought tolerant are thus all the more important.

A shrub or small tree that will flower from early June until late September is Chilopsis linearis, the Desert Willow from Texas, once established it is incredibly drought tolerant and has lovely dark pink flowers. 

 

 

Quite different is Berkheya purpurea from South

Africa,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 this is a herbaceous plant to about 80cm with architectural foliage and attractively arranged pink flowers around the stems.

 

The summer months are much less busy in the garden – time to relax and enjoy it – and perhaps to make some plans for the autumn!

 

During July think about the following:

 

• Continue to  keep an eye out for damage by slugs, snails, insects etc and take appropriate action 
• Continue deadheading perennials after flowering to encourage a second flowering spell
• Vigorous climbers such as wisteria and trumpet vines (Campsis) may need some pruning from time to time over the summer
• Clip back aromatics such as santolina and lavender after flowering, remember that lavenders should never be cut back into old wood
• Keep an eye on the watering requirements of your garden, recently planted items (especially if they were planted this spring) particularly need looking after even if they are drought resistant once established.

 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois.

Tel: 04 68 78 43 81

 email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com

www.lapetitepepiniere.com

Open on Fridays & Saturdays from 10 to 18h, on Sunday mornings from 10 to 12 and by appointment.

 

 

Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment – just phone or email to fix another time.

 

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IN THE GARDEN - JUNE

From Gill Pound

 

The warm, dry weather is continuing – lovely but everything is about two to three weeks in advance of a ‘normal’ year and there are some suggestions that this warm weather may be the start of a very hot summer.  Most people water their gardens to some extent at least and remember that recently planted items will need additional water during their first summer.  Be aware that a thorough water every few days is much more effective than frequent light watering, which is often counter-productive since it doesn’t reach the roots at depth and encourages surface roots which are then at risk of drying out.  Try to water in the evening when evaporation rates are lower.  Think about water conservation strategies; mulching using chipped bark,  shredded garden waste or compost helps to reduce evaporation and helps to keep weeds down and adds  organic material to the soil. You can also use mineral mulches such as gravel or Pouzzoulane.   If you don’t already have a system for composting your own vegetable and garden waste think about setting one up – it’s a great source of organic material to improve your soil.

During June think about the following:

• Continue to  keep an eye out for damage by slugs, snails, insects etc and take appropriate action 
• If you are still planting remember to improve the soil in the planting hole with some terreau but also some river sand or gravel to improve drainage.  It is also a good idea to fill the planting hole with water and let it drain away – repeat this several times and make sure the plant has had a good soak before planting as well
• If you have any plants with variegated or golden foliage keep an eye out for any wholly green shoots and prune these out immediately
• Deadheading perennials after flowering will often encourage a second flowering spell
• Vigorous climbers such as wisteria and trumpet vines (Campsis) may need some pruning from time to time over the summer
• Cut back dead bulb foliage
• Continue to cut back spring flowering shrubs after flowering

The verbena family has some lovely garden plants. 

Two popular favourites are the tall Verbena bonariense (a magnet for bees and butterflies)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the vivid red ground cover Verbena peruviana. Both are perennial and winter hardy here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At La Petite Pépinière we shall be having our open weekend and summer sale on the 4^th & 5^th June; 20% discount on many plants, open access and guided visits to the garden, pottery, wood carving demonstration, wine tastings, English food products, quality tools, book sale for Cancer Support France, stained glass,  ornamental metalwork, photography, LPO info stand and wonderful meals, drinks and snacks from La Table d’Emilie; if you would like to reserve a meal for lunchtime ring Alison on 04 67 78 14 70.  Fuller details on the website - see www.lapetitepepiniere.com and go to Weekend Portes Ouvertes.  Hope to see you there!

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois.

Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com   www.lapetitepepiniere.com

Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment – just phone or email to fix another time.

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Les ateliers jardin-école du mois de juin :

De 10h à 12h : jardins familiaux de Malbosc (au bout de la rue Sainte Barbe).
De 14h30 à 16h30 : jardins familiaux des Grands Grès (avenue Albert Einstein)

04/06 : Les plantes compagnes : Connaissance des plantes médicinales, aromatiques et des condiments.
18/06 : Associations des plantes : Interaction et complémentarité des plantes entre elles.

Les animations des jardins du mois de juin :

Ces visites se déroulent de 10h à 12h et sont animées par les associations Passe-Muraille, Apieu et Etat des lieux.

11/06 : Lac des Garrigues et Carriera : d'un espace semi-naturel à un espace potager.
Découverte de la garrigue et de sa flore ; de la mise en place à proximité d'un jardin partagé. Rendez-vous à la base nautique du lac.

18/06 : Moulin de Lavalette - Réserve du Lez: Land'art à la réserve.
Sous le délicieux ombrage des platanes bercés par le Lez, nous nous imprègnerons, petits et grands, des parfums d'écume, de terres humides, des couleurs florales, de la douceur du bois afin d'élaborer au gré de notre imaginaire toutes sortes d'insectes, de plantes, de mondes fantastiques. Rendez-vous au Parking Moulin de Lavalette, au bout de la rue Jean-François Breton.

25/06 : Bois de Montmaur : un deux trois, découvrez !
Lieu connu des coureurs, le public est invité à venir voir et comprendre un espace préservé pour sa faune. Rendez-vous au parking devant l'entrée du zoo.

Les animations des jardins du mois de juillet :

02/07 : Réserve du Lez : insectes chanteurs à la loupe.
Matin de juillet, une prairie fleurie proche du Lez...pouvoir écouter les yeux fermés, le bourdonnement d'une abeille, le criquet striduler. Le public peut se laisser immerger dans un bain sonore. Rendez-vous devant le portail Est de la réserve du Lez, à l'angle de la rue de Ferran et de la rue de l'Aiguelongue.
 

http://www.toutmontpellier.fr/espaces-verts-montpellier-main-verte-les-ateliers-et-animations-des-jardins-pour-les-mois-de-juin-et-juillet-2011--19826.html

 

 

 

Gill Pound with advice on gardening in the region

In the garden – May 

We have had an incredibly mild spring, the warmest since 1976 according to one report, and the garden seems to be fizzing with growth and colour.

Do note that the ground can dry out quickly now that we are enjoying high temperatures so do keep an eye on the water needs of plants that you have just planted; in general, and however drought resistant plants are, they will still need watering during the first summer to make sure that they develop a good root system during their first year in the garden.  When watering it is better to water less often but making sure that water penetrates the soil, you want roots to go deeply rather than developing a surface rooting system.   A deep rooting system means that plants will be less susceptible to wind rock, drought and winter cold whereas the opposite is the case if your plants have shallow root systems.  For many plants it is helpful to create a small depression around the base of the plant to help direct the water to the plant’s roots.  May is often one of the busiest months in the garden as we are still planting but also trying to keep up with weeding, grass cutting etc

During May think about the following:

 

• ·         plant summer flowering bulbs such as canna, gladiolus, dahlias etc Remember to check their watering needs so that plants with similar requirements are planted close to each other
• ·         if you have a lawn this is a good time to repair any gaps in the lawn and to fertilise the lawn before summer
• ·         watch out for red lily beetles
• ·         prune spring flowering shrubs after flowering
• ·         spring flowering bulbs can be lifted and divided after flowering
• ·         give shrubs a handful of slow release fertiliser (engrais à liberation lente)
• ·         as the weather warms up less helpful animal life in the garden gets active – keep an eye out for damage by slugs, snails, insects etc and take appropriate action 
• ·          
• ·          
• ·         clip evergreen hedges

 

May is, of course, a month with many lovely plants in flower and it is hard to pick out a few for comment. 

It is worth remembering that there are many native shrubs which are also excellent garden plants; the smoke bush (Cotinus coggyria)

is wonderful as is the local honeysuckle (Lonicera etrusca). 

We are familiar with the sun roses (Cistus) that we se on the garrigue – locally you are most likely to see the pink Cistus albidus

or the white Cistus monspeliensis – but there are many others that give a wonderful show of colour during April , May and early June. 

The big flower fair in May  is the 14^th & 15^th May at the Abbey de Fontfroide, near Narbonne and at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes we shall be holding our Open Weekend on the 4^th & 5th June – more details on www.lapetitepepiniere.com under Weekend Portes Ouvertes and we shall hope to see you there. 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois.  Tel: 04 68 78 43 81,

Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com     www.lapetitepepiniere.com

Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment – just phone or email to fix another time.

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In the garden – April

After a considerable amount of rain in mid March and continued milder weather one can practically hear the garden growing. 

It seems impossible now but but do remember that there is always a danger of a further cold spell and even of late frosts – local lore refers to the Saints Glace or Ice Saints which are traditionally the days of 11^th, 12^th and 13^th May!  If frost or cold winds are forecast then protect anything that might still be a little tender with winter fleece (voile d’hivernage), especially recently planted items.  Even hardy plants may well have passed the winter in a cold greenhouse and will need a little hardening off, try and check when you buy plants if they have already been outside or if they have been taken from a greenhouse (sortie d’une serre).

 

During April think about the following:

• continue to tidy up foliage on perennials, and cut back perennial and sub shrubby plants to the base -  they will regrow with greater vigour and better shape  Any plants which flower on the current year’s growth can be pruned.  Spring flowering shrubs should be pruned after flowering.
• The weeds will be growing even faster than the flowers so do keep on top of weeding and do try to remove annual weeds such as speedwell and chickweed before they have a chance to set seed.  Think about mulching to suppress weed growth later in the year and to help conserve moisture. 
• if you have botanical (ie species) bulbs in the garden don’t dead head them and they should reseed, Anemone blanda and coronaria seem particularly happy to self seed around and some tulips and crocus will also.  Other bulbs can be dead headed, as can pansies
• planting – April and early May are excellent planting times and most nurseries will have plenty of stock available.  When buying plants it is easy to fall for the “achat de coup de coeur” and buy plants which are in flower now; do try and plan for colour and interest in the garden later in the year or else the garden can be sadly lacking in colour during August!.  Check also on drought tolerance and winter hardiness of plants that you are interested in buying.  Try and improve the soil where you plant, many local soils are a limy clay that can be improved by the addition of some organic material and some clean sand (sable de la riviére) and/or gravel for better soil structure and drainage (never use builder’s sand).  Plants planted this spring will need watering during the first summer while they become established, even if they are drought resistant varieties.  There is also still time to transplant if necessary. 
• apply a balanced general purpose fertiliser to borders and beds and also to trees and shrubs

 

There is so much in flower at the moment; two native Mediterranean plants that are lovely for the garden too are the sweetly scented yellow

 

Coronilla glauca, a shrub to about 1m high,

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the striking pink flowers of the Judas tree (Cercis silquastrum) which makes a charming small tree for the garden.

 

And, looking ahead – a date for your diary – we shall be holding our annual open weekend at La Petite Pépinière over the weekend of 4 and 5^th June, if you are on my mailing list you’ll receive more details soon or if you would like to know more contact Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com

 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois.  Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com        www.lapetitepepiniere.com

Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment.

 

For garden tours of the Languedoc have a look at www.hiddengardensfrance.com

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March 

February this year has been mild and many plants have come into flower earlier than normal; at the time of writing the forecast is for cooler weather so let’s hope we don’t have much in the way of late frost to check all that early growth. 

If you haven’t yet started there are now plenty of tasks to be getting on with in the garden: 

• start to remove winter protection from plants to start hardening them up, but remember to replace protection if frost is forecast 
• start to clean up the foliage on perennials, sub shrubs and deciduous grasses, cut back many plants to the base, sub shrubby sages such as the microphylla cultivars will shoot up much more vigorously following a heavy cutting back 
• keep an eye on the new shoots of trees and shrubs and act accordingly if you see slug damage 
• compost or an organic soil improver such as “Or Brun” can be put around the base of shrubs 
• aerate the soil of your flower beds and keep ahead of the weeding 
• think about planting trees, shrubs and climbing plants If you buy plants at this time of the year check to see if “ils ont été sorti d’une serre” ie brought out of a greenhouse. It is usual for a grower to protect young plants in a greenhouse over winter but they will need some hardening before planting, especially if March does bring colder weather 
• prune roses 
• prune summer flowering shrubs which flower on the current season’s growth 
• if you have a lawn scarify it to remove moss and dried grass 


In the garden there are a number of early flowerers that brighten up the garden. The Mediterranean native Helleborus corsicus has wonderful luminous green flowers and is a great plant for dry shade. 

 

The many hybrids of Helleborus orientalis also do well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many euphorbias that do well around here, just about the first into flower is Euphorbia rigida, an excellent plant for a hot, sunny position and also very drought resistant. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Euphorbia myrsinites is another excellent plant for a similar situation. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Most Ceanothus flower later in the year but the tree ceanothus, Ceanothus arboreus Trewithen Blue, will be in flower during March.

 

 

 

This is a truly wonderful large evergreen shrub or small tree. Many bulbs are also starting to flower, if you see bulbs you like make a note of them and compile a list for ordering in the autumn. 

 

 

At La Petite Pépinière we still have a couple of spaces on our day course on Propagation on the 17th March, covering the principles of propagation by seeds, cuttings, layering and division with plenty of practical work. If you are interested contact Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes, 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, (route de Citou) 11160, Caunes-Minervois. Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, emailGill@lapetitepepiniere.com 

We re-open on the 4th March and will then be open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment. 

www.lapetitepepiniere.com –unusual plants for summer dry climates 

www.hiddengardensfrance.com – garden tours of the Languedoc 


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In the garden – February 

So far this winter has been kinder to us than the winter of 2009-2010 and some mimosa is already in flower, I even saw my first almond blossom in flower on the 24th January – always a sign that spring is coming. February can still be a quiet time of the year in the garden but as the weather starts to warm up and the days lengthen there are a number of tasks that one can be getting on with. 

• General weeding, digging and mulching of flower beds 
• Check that stakes are holding firm with the winter winds 
• Turn some organic material (compost, rotted manure etc) into your flower beds and perhaps add some general organic fertiliser 
• Towards the end of the month start to cut back ornamental grasses, other perennials and sub shrubs such as Salvia microphylla and it’s cultivars, Perovskia, etc 
• Deadhead winter flowering pansies to encourage repeat flowering. 
• Check on the watering requirements of container grown plants, even at this time of the year they can dry out. 
• During February or March prune summer flowering shrubs (eg Lavatera, Buddleia) that flower on the current year’s growth, prune winter flowering shrubs such as winter jasmine and Mahonia after flowering. 
• Planting and moving plants 
• If you haven’t yet done so, prune woody climbers such as Wisteria and Campsis back to two or three buds on sideshoots. Late flowering clematis should also be pruned now, as can Virginia creeper 
• Make sure that you have finished pruning hedges before the bird nesting season begins, hedges are ideal nesting areas for many garden birds. Nesting boxes can also still be put up in February. 

As in previous years we shall be organising some events at La Petite Pépinière during the early spring. We shall be offering two Gardener's Lunches; we are changing the format a little this year. We will start at 11am with an illustrated talk and discussion followed by a light lunch and further opportunity for discussion. Afterwards you are welcome to wander around the garden. 

On Thursday 17th February the event will focus on ornamental grasses suitable for our climate, their care and maintenance and appropriate plant associations. 

On Thursday 3rd March we will look at gardening for wildlife, creating different habitats for wildlife in the garden, supplementing those habitats and plant choice to attract birds, bees and butterflies into your garden. For each lunch we ask for a contribution of 20€, places are limited so if you are interested in either of these events please reserve your place as soon as possible by emailing Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com or phoning 04 68 78 43 81 

On Thursday 17 March from 10 - 12.30 and 1.30 - 4pm we shall be offering a one day course on Propagation; an introduction to the principles of propagating your own plants by layering, division, seeds and cuttings. There will be plenty of opportunity for practical work. The course fee for this is 50€ including teas & coffees etc but please bring a packed lunch. Again, please email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com to reserve a place 

As the days start to lengthen and to warm up a number of spring flowering shrubs and trees will start to flower. Coronilla glauca is an indigenous shrub, and thus very drought resistant, with wonderfully scented flowers during February and March. Teucrium fruticans, a good hedging plant, has pretty little blue flowers. 

 

Rosemary is in flower this month too and, depending on the weather, Othonna cheirifolia, Buddleia officinalis, Rosa chinensis cultivars and Lavandula dentata among others. Christmas box (Sarcococca confusa) still has it’s wonderfully scented flowers and 

Helleborus corsicus will be brightening up areas of dry shade.

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. 
Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com www.lapetitepepiniere.com 

We shall reopen on Friday 4th March and after that it will be our usual opening hours of 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment at any time. 


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In the garden – January 

So far the winter hasn't been too bad, no really severe frosts - my big hope, garden wise, is that we don't get 30cm+ of snow in mid March! 

As in previous years we shall be organising some events at La Petite Pépinière during the early spring. We shall be offering two Gardener's Lunches; we are changing the format a little this year. 
We will start at 11am with an illustrated talk and discussion followed by a light lunch and further opportunity for discussion. Afterwards you are welcome to wander around the garden. 
On Thursday 17th February the event will focus on ornamental grasses suitable for our climate, their care and maintenance and appropriate plant associations. 
On Thursday 3rd March we will look at gardening for wildlife, creating different habitats for wildlife in the garden, supplementing those habitats and plant choice to attract birds, bees and butterflies into your garden. For each lunch we ask for a contribution of 20€, places are limited so if you are interested in either of these events please reserve your place as soon as possible. 

On Thursday 17 March from 10 - 12.30 and 1.30 - 4pm we shall be offering a one day course on Propagation; an introduction to the principles of propagating your own plants by layering, division, seeds and cuttings. There will be plenty of opportunity for practical work. The course fee for this is 50€ including teas & coffees etc but please bring a packed lunch. Again, places are limited. 


La Petite Pépinière doesn't maintain regular opening hours during the winter. During January and February we are open only by appointment (just phone or email to make an arrangement) and are always happy to respond to telephone or email enquiries. Usual opening hours (Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 18h, Sunday mornings from 10 - 12) will start again on the 4th March 2011. You are welcome to visit the garden during nursery opening hours and guided visits (usually lasting around an hour and a half) are available by appointment 

 
January is very much a quiet time of the year in the garden but there are still a number of tasks that one can be getting on with during milder spells of weather. 

• Remove piles of wet dead leaves from flower beds as the damp can encourage rot, if possible add the dead leaves to your compost heap 
• General weeding of flower beds 
• Turn some organic material (compost, rotted manure etc) into your flower beds 
• Ornamental trees can be pruned for shape 
• Check on any plants which are staked to make sure that the stakes are firm against the winter winds 
• Prune ivies and ornamental climbers, start pruning roses. 
• Sprinkle some slow release fertiliser, preferably organic or ‘bio’ at the bases of hedges. 
• Continue to protect tender plants against the cold. 
• If you have a lawn now is a good time to weed and fertilise. 
• There is still time to plant trees and shrubs, including hedging, except if the ground is frozen. 
• If you haven’t yet done so then it is time to winter prune wisteria. 
• If you have a greenhouse or conservatory you can start to take cuttings of tender plants such as geraniums that you took in for the winter. 


After the cold weather over Christmas there is little in flower in the garden although even with this cold weather Grevillea lanigera is still in flower and Kniphofia sarmentosa adds a slightly exotic touch to the winter garden. 

The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) has scented flowers and is tolerating the current bout of cold weather. As the month progresses the always charming Iris unguicularis will brighten up any corner and the lovely shrubby climber Jasminum primulinum (syn mesneyi) should come into flower during the month. 

But, during cold spells perhaps the best task is doing some reading and planning for the warmer weather! If anyone is interested I have a list of books relevant to gardening locally and would be happy to email it to you. 

Another particularly useful reference is the website of the Mediterranean Garden Society:www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/mcgttw.html If you are interested subscribe to their email discussion group follow the directions on the home page. They do have a Languedoc branch. 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, emailGill@lapetitepepiniere.com www.lapetitepepiniere.com 
Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment at any time, including during the winter months. 

Garden tours of the Languedoc – www.hiddengardensfrance.com 

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In the garden - December 

At the time of writing we have have had quite a mild autumn with just a slight ground frost once or twice. There is still time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials but make sure they are well watered. If you plant trees remember to stake them well so that they aren’t rocked by the Languedoc winds. During December think about the following tasks: 

• giving your tools a good clean and a wipe with an oily rag before storing them over the winter 
• if you have a lawn clean up the mower and aerate the lawn with a fork. Over winter is a good time to service the mower, and any other garden machinery you have. Clear dead leaves off the lawn and any low growing ground cover plants but remember that dead leaves are a resource! They can be added to a compost heap or they can be compressed into a plastic bag, tucked away in a corner of the garden and forgotten about – in a year or two you’ll have a bag of leafmould – excellent organic material for your garden 
• it’s a good time to manure rose bushes 
• if you haven’t already done so remember to protect any plants (eg bougainvillea during it’s first two winters, citrus etc) that are a little tender – mulch the rootstock and have some winter fleece (voile d’hiver) handy so that you can protect foliage when there is frost. Other tender plants can be brought into a cold greenhouse or veranda for protection. 
• It is a good time also to thin out over crowded branches and to do cutting back generally of trees and shrubs, much easier to see what you are doing when the plants have lost their leaves 
• check all tree ties and stakes to avoid wind damage over the winter, similarly make sure that climbers and wall shrubs are tied to their supports 
• if you have plants in pots on your patio or terrace make sure that the pot is lifted by standing it on “feet” (old bits of tile or similar) – this enhances drainage and avoids the possibility of waterlogging in the pot which would make the root system more vulnerable to cold 

As to what is of interest in the garden towards the end of the year–there are still many late flowering perennials and shrubs giving colour. 

Dahlia imperialis, the amazing ‘tree’ dahlia is in flower at the moment, on annual stems 3m high! All these flowers will disappear once we have some real frost but interest will still come from shrubs which have attractive berries such as the myrtle (Myrtus communis) and the Arbutus unedo (Strawberry tree) These are all good for the birds in the garden too. If you like to make jam the Strawberry tree makes a lovely jelly.. 

If you are looking for a Christmas gift for the gardener in your life why not think about a La Petite Pépinière Gift Voucher? Just get in touch! 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, emailGill@lapetitepepiniere.com 

. Although the nursery doesn’t have regular opening hours during the winter months we are always open by appointment so if you would like to visit just email or phone to fix a time. 

www.lapetitepepiniere.com www.hiddengardensfrance.com 

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In the garden – November 

This time last month I was commenting on the continuing dry weather but October brought us a lot of rain; on the 9th & 10th post places received 150mm or more of rain – around a quarter of annual average! Never satisfied, this type of rain isn’t that useful since so much is lost to run off rather than pentrating the soil and replenishing the water table. However, it does mean that the soil is nice and damp and still warm so November is an excellent time to plant most trees, shrubs and perennials. Note that slightly tender plants such as bougainvillea or plumbago are best planted in the spring so that they can develop a strong root system before the winter. 

When planting remember to dig a hole about twice the depth and twice the width of the pot the plant came in (or root ball if you are planting a bare root plant), mix the excavated soil with some organic material (such as compost or terreau de plantation) and some sand or gravel to improve the soil and use this mix to backfill the planting hole. First, unless the weather has been wet, fill the planting hole with water and let it drain away; meanwhile standing the plant in a bucket of water so that the root ball is moist. Then half fill the planting hole with your soil/terreau/sand mix and place the plant, fill around the sides with the soil/terreau mix and firm into place. If the dry weather continues keep an eye on the water requirements of your newly planted items. For taller shrubs and trees you may well want to stake the plant so that it isn’t rocked by the Languedoc winds. There is still just time to plant spring flowering bulbs, preferably before the middle of the month. 

This is a good month to prune many trees and shrubs, it is best to consult a gardening encyclopedia for the correct pruning regime for any particular plant. Time too to divide or move hardy perennials and herbaceous plants and remember to label herbaceous plants (ie those which disappear completely in winter) so that you know where they are in the spring. There will plenty of dead leaves around this month – if you have a compost heap the dead leaves can usefully be added to it, or you can use shredded dead leaves as a mulch. 

As the weather gets colder think about protecting against frost the base of tender plants and/or plants in containers. Don’t use plastic which traps humidity around the plant but winter fleece or voile d’hivernage, readily available in garden centres. 


 
There are many plants that are still in flower and will mostly flower until the first frosts. Two beautiful autumn flowering sages are Salvia leucantha (slightly tender – mulch well over winter) and Salvia gillesii. 

But, autumn interest in the garden comes too from shrubs which have attractive berries such as the Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), myrtle (Myrtus communis) and Heteromeles arbutifolia, and we shouldn’t forget plants which give good autumn foliage colour before leaf fall such as the very attractive native small tree Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum), Cotinus coggyria or Amelanchier canadensis. 
 
For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, emailGill@lapetitepepiniere.com 
Open until Sunday 28th November from 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, and then from 4thh March 2011. Don’t forget that we are always open by appointment, including throughout the winter months and that I am happy to respond to email enquiries at any time. 

www.lapetitepepiniere.com 
www.hiddengardensfrance.com 

There is still plenty of colour in the garden; the many Mexican sage cultivars (hybrids and selections from Salvia microphylla, Salvia greggii and others) are still in full flower, with colours from dark blue, shades of red, shades of peach, yellow, white etc) - our recently planted border of these offers you the chance to observe these for yourselves. Also still looking good are Ceratostigmas willmottianum and plumbaginoides with their vivid blue flowers. I have recently started growing an unusual aster (Aster oblongifolius) from dry regions of North America and it is an excellent mauve autumn flowerer. Of the shrubs, the scented, white Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) is enjoying it's second flowering of the year and the bright yellow Cassia floribunda will flower until the first frosts. 
 

The 2011 Hidden Gardens, Hidden France programme of garden tours of the Languedoc is now up on our websitewww.hiddengardensfrance.com, remember that if you live locally you an ask for a price without accommodation costs. 

Gill 

Gill Pound 
La Petite Pépinière de Caunes 
21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire 
11160 Caunes-Minervois 

Open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 - 18h and Sunday mornings 10 - 12h from the beginning of March until the end of Novemember. By appointment at other times. 

www.lapetitepepiniere.com 
Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com 
04 68 78 43 81 


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In the garden – September 

 
 
Yet again we have had a dry summer but we can normally expect to get some rain in September and once we have some autumn rain we can think about autumn planting. For the vast majority of shrubs and perennials the autumn is the best time to plant – there is warmth and moisture in the soil and the plant starts to develop roots before the cold of winter and in mild winters may keep growing during the winter thus producing a more established plant – better able to withstand dry winds and heat next summer. 
 
In general the autumn planting season can start once we have had September rain and can extend until early December. Remember that when planting it is a good idea to dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the pot, take this soil out and mix some of it with terreau de plantation or compost (organic material) and clean sand or gravel, use this mixture to give your plant a better start in life! Before planting fill the planting hole with water and allow it to drain away several times, this will ensue that there is moisture at depth for the roots to seek out. Whenever possible plant small plants rather than large specimens, they are less susceptible to wind rock, will establish faster and long term will result in healthier plants. 

September is the month in which we will start to see spring flowering bulbs on sale in garden centres (jardineries) - September & October are good times to buy and plant bulbs for spring colour. I have found that anemones (De Caen hybrids and Anemone blanda), Chionodoxa, native Gladiolus communis and Scilla peruviana (which is a Med native despite the name) do well. Botanical or species tulips such as Tulipa greigii, kaufmaniana, saxatilis & fosteriana are particularly successful here as well. These should be found easily in garden centres. If you are looking for something a little more unusual have a look at www.bulbargence.com When buying bulbs make sure that what’s in the packet are firm, healthy looking bulbs with no signs of premature sprouting. 

Now is also a good time to collect and save seeds from plants in your garden; colourful annuals such as Cosmos, Eschscholzia (Californian poppies), and Morning Glories (Ipomea) 
are easily grown from seed next spring. 

During September think also about the following tasks: 

*continue to deadhead perennials to prolong the autumn show of flower 

*take cuttings of tender perennials such as geraniums (Pelargoniums strictly speaking) 

*prune late summer flowering shrubs 

*trim evergreen hedges 

*clip back lavenders after flowering – use hand shears and clip back to just above the old flowering stem, don’t cut back into old wood as the plant may not reshoot. 

As to what is of interest in the garden in September; summer flowering perennials are still giving lots of colour, the Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) has just come into flower as has the pretty little shrub Caryopteris Kew Blue. Autumn flowering bulbs are just starting; Cyclamen neapolitanum has just come into flower and as soon as we have some rain Nerine bowdenii and Amaryllis belladonna will pop out in flower. 


At La Petite Pépinière we now have the autumn programme of gardening course organised. These courses are aimed at gardeners in the Languedoc and our intention is to provide information and promote discussion in a relaxed and informal atmosphere which will help those interested in creating interesting, easy to maintain and colourful ornamental gardens in our summer dry climate. The courses detailed below will be held at La Petite Pépinière in Caunes-Minervois (11160) and will be tutored by Gill Pound, nursery proprietor. All courses are designed for a group of seven to eleven participants. Course fees quoted include coffees, teas etc and you are asked to bring a packed lunch. 


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In the garden – August 

August is usually the driest month of the year and one in which the garden is often resting and can look a bit jaded. Thus August can also be a month is which there is not a lot of colour in the garden and it is worth noting if you have gaps that can be filled with autumn or spring planting. Nonetheless, there are many shrubs and perennials that are still giving colour throughout the summer. Two splendid shrubs for the summer months are Vitex agnus-castus and Leucophyllum frutescens, both are very drought resisitant. 

 Perovskia Blue Spires is justifiably well known, it makes a splendid display from late June until mid September, the well known Gaura lindheimerii and the less well known Poliamintha longiflora associate well with Perovskia. There are many more – come and visit the nursery garden, not to buy but to take notes for the future! 

Watering and weeding where and when necessary are ongoing tasks, remember that watering a flower bed the evening before weeding will usually make the job easier. Containers and hanging baskets may need watering daily during the very hot period but if you are watering your garden remember that a deep soaking once a week or fortnight is much more effective than frequent sprinkling. 

During August think about the following: 

• Towards the end of the month start to divide perennials such as iris and day lilies (Hemerocallis) which will not flower again this year 
• Continue deadheading perennials which will repeat flower such as Coreopsis and Rudbeckia to encourage a second flowering. Cut back hardy geraniums to encourage new growth. 
• Collect seeds from annuals such as Cosmos and Californian poppies, you can sow these next spring 
• Prune early summer flowering shrubs such as Philadelphus. 
• Clip back lavenders once they have finished flowering, but never into old wood 
• Prune wisteria – leave any long stems that you want to encourage to extend the framework of the plant, cut back completely any stems which are totally unwanted and cut back all other stems to two or three buds on each stem 
• Clear fallen leaves affected by blackspot from around roses 

At La Petite Pépinière we shall be offering gardening courses again during the autumn months, the exact programme will be decided soon and details will be on the website – www.lapetitepepiniere.com – The Nursery – Gardening Courses. 


For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates, garden advice and consultation), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. 
Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com 
www.lapetitepepiniere.com 

Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment – just phone or email to fix another time. 

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In the garden – July 

First of all – a big big thank you to everyone who came to our open weekend (Portes Ouvertes) in early June. It was great to see and talk to so many people. 

Summer isn’t really a time for planting but do come and visit the garden here during the summer months and observe what is in flower. July can be one of the driest months of the year and a time in which the garden is often resting and can look a bit jaded with not so much colour, especially as one tends to buy plants in the spring and to buy plants that are in flower at the time. Plants which do flower in the summer and which are drought tolerant are thus all the more important. One excellent group of sub-shrubs are the ‘Mexican’ sages; 
 
salvias which come from Mexico, New Mexico and other nearby dry regions of the United States. There are four or five species and many colour selections and hybrids so that that these sages are now available in a huge range of colours including white, cream, yellow, peach, pink, blue and red. 

 Gaillardias are another perennial that give good colour throughout the summer. 

The summer months are much less busy in the garden – time to relax and enjoy it! 

During July think about the following: 

• Continue to keep an eye out for damage by slugs, snails, insects etc and take appropriate action 
• Continue deadheading perennials after flowering to encourage a second flowering spell 
• Vigorous climbers such as wisteria and trumpet vines may need some pruning from time to time over the summer
• Clip back aromatics such as santolina and lavender after flowering, remember that lavenders should never be cut back into old wood 
• Keep an eye on the watering requirements of your garden, recently planted items (especially if they were planted this spring) particularly need looking after even if they are drought resistant once established. 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. 
Tel: 04 68 78 43 81 
email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com 
www.lapetitepepiniere.com 

Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment – just phone or email to fix another time. 

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In the garden - June 

This year it seemed as if summer would never get here, especially after sleet/snow on the4th May. However, we have now started to get warmer and drier weather so do remember that recently planted items will need additional water during their first summer. Be aware that a thorough water every few days is much more effective than frequent light watering, which is often counter-productive since it doesn’t reach the roots at depth and encourages surface roots which are then at risk of drying out. Try to water in the early morning or evening when evaporation rates are lower. Think about water conservation strategies; mulching using chipped bark, shredded garden waste or compost helps to reduce evaporation and helps to keep weeds down and adds organic material to the soil. You can also use mineral mulches such as gravel or Pouzzoulane. If you don’t already have a system for composting your own vegetable and garden waste think about setting one up – it’s a great source of organic material to improve your soil. 


During June think about the following: 

• Continue to keep an eye out for damage by slugs, snails, insects etc and take appropriate action 
• If you are still planting remember to improve the soil in the planting hole with some terreau but also some river sand or gravel to improve drainage. It is also a good idea to fill the planting hole with water and let it drain away – repeat this several times and make sure the plant has had a good soak before planting as well 
• If you have any plants with variegated or golden foliage keep an eye out for any wholly green shoots and prune these out immediately 
• Deadheading perennials after flowering will often encourage a second flowering spell 
• Vigorous climbers such as wisteria and trumpet vines (Campsis) may need some pruning from time to time over the summer 
• Cut back dead bulb foliage 
• Continue to cut back spring flowering shrubs after flowering 

 
If you go for a walk in the garrigue at the moment you are bound to notice the lovely flowers of the Cistus, sometimes known as sun roses In this area we often see the pink Cistus albidus and the white Cistus monspeliensis but there are many other species and hybrids that make excellent garden plants. They generally flower in May and June and give masses of colour. As Mediterranean natives they don’t need much water and appreciate a sunny position. 


At La Petite Pépinière we shall be having our open weekend and summer sale on the 5th and 6th June; 20% discount on many plants, open access and guided visits to the garden, seminar on plants for dry climates, pottery, wood carving demonstration, wine tastings, English food products, stone carving, ornamental metalwork, photography, LPO info stand and, for the second year, wonderful meals, drinks and snacks from La Table d’Emilie; if you would like to reserve a meal for lunchtime ring Alison on 04 67 78 14 70. Fuller details on the website. Hope to see you there! 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. 
Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com www.lapetitepepiniere.com 

Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment – just phone or email to fix another time. 

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In the garden – May 


After the difficult winter April, at last, brought us some fine weather and after a slow start everything is growing well in our gardens. If you are still worried about tender plants that may have been lost during the hard winter do still wait a while before giving up, some plants may well wait until June to shoot from the base. But – be careful – if a plant is grafted (as citrus trees, for example, usually are) shoots that appear from below the graft union will not be the plant you were hoping for! 

With the start of warmer weather do note that the ground can dry out quickly so do keep an eye on the water needs of plants that you have just planted; in general, and however drought resistant plants are, they will still need watering during the first summer to make sure that they develop a good root system during their first year in the garden. When watering it is better to water less often but making sure that water penetrates the soil, you want roots to go deeply rather than developing a surface rooting system. For many plants it is helpful to create a small depression around the base of the plant to help direct the water to the plant’s roots. May is often one of the busiest months in the garden as we are still planting but also trying to keep up with weeding, grass cutting etc 

During May think about the following: 

• plant summer flowering bulbs such as canna, gladiolus, dahlias etc Remember to check their watering needs so that plants with similar requirements are planted close to each other 
• if you have a lawn this is a good time to repair any gaps in the lawn and to fertilise the lawn before summer 
• watch out for red lily beetles 
• prune spring flowering shrubs after flowering 
• spring flowering bulbs can be lifted and divided after flowering 
• give shrubs a handful of slow release fertiliser (engrais à liberation lente) 
• as the weather warms up less helpful animal life in the garden gets active – keep an eye out for damage by slugs, snails, insects etc and take appropriate action 
• give some attention to plants which you grow in pots or troughs for the balcony or terrace and have been protecting over winter. They may need repotting or, if not, it is a good idea to remove the top layer of soil in the pot and add some new soil enriched with medium release fertiliser 
• planting in general - May is still a good time for planting, try to get most planting done by the end of the month. Remember to try and plan for colour and interest in the garden later in the year as well as buying plants which look lovely now. Check also on drought tolerance and winter hardiness of plants that you are interested in buying. Try and improve the soil where you plant, many local soils are a limy clay that can be improved by the addition of some organic material and some clean sand and/or gravel for better soil structure and drainage (never use builder’s sand which has poor texture and often contains chemical impurities). Water in well. Provide stakes or other support if necessary. 
• clip evergreen hedges 

May is, of course, a month with many lovely plants in flower. Two excellent flowering shrubs are the evergreen Choisya ternata (Mexican orange blossom) with scented flowers and foliage and the less well known but very drought hardy Heteromeles arbutifolia which also gives a magnificent display of berries in the autumn. Hardy perennial geraniums such as Geranium sanguineum and Geranium x Biokovo also give lots of colour during May. Despite it’s name Scilla peruviana is native to the Mediterranean, from the bluebell family it has wonderful blue flowers. 

The big flower fair in May is the 15th and 16th May at the Abbey de Fontfroide, near Narbonne and at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes we shall be holding our Open Weekend on the 5th and 6th June – more details on the website and we shall hope to see you there. 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, 
Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com www.lapetitepepiniere.com 
Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment – just phone or email to fix another time. 

For garden tours of the Languedoc visit www.hiddengardens.france.com 


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In the garden – April 

This time last month I was looking forward to milder weather in March but although March came in like a lamb we had a speedy return to cold weather and the terrible snow of Monday 8th. This was wet, heavy snow and many trees were damaged unfortunately. Local opinion seems divided as to whether this is the worst winter for thirty years or forty years! So, we are now hoping for a milder April but do remember that there is always a danger of a further cold spell and even of late frosts – local lore refers to the Saints Glace or Ice Saints which are traditionally the days of 11th, 12th and 13th May! Of course this shouldn’t stop you gardening until the 14th May, if frost or cold winds are forecast then protect anything that might still be a little tender with winter fleece (voile d’hivernage), especially recently planted items. Even hardy plants may well have passed the winter in a cold greenhouse and will need a little hardening off, try and check when you buy plants if they have already been outside or if they have been taken from a greenhouse (sorti d’une serre). 


During April think about the following: 

• continue to tidy up foliage on perennials, and cut back perennial and sub shrubby plants to the base - they will regrow with greater vigour and better shape Any plants which flower on the current year’s growth can be pruned. Spring flowering shrubs should be pruned after flowering. 
• give flower beds a thorough weed and think about mulching to suppress weed growth later in the year and to help conserve moisture. 
• if you have botanical (ie species) bulbs in the garden don’t dead head them and they should reseed, Anemone blanda and coronaria seem particularly happy to self seed around and some tulips and crocus will also. Other bulbs can be dead headed, as can pansies 
• planting – April and early May are excellent planting times and most nurseries will have plenty of stock available. When buying plants it is easy to fall for the “achat de coup de coeur” and buy plants which are in flower now; do try and plan for colour and interest in the garden later in the year or else the garden can be sadly lacking in colour during August!. Check also on drought tolerance and winter hardiness of plants that you are interested in buying. Try and improve the soil where you plant, many local soils are a limy clay that can be improved by the addition of some organic material and some clean sand (sable de la riviére) and/or gravel for better soil structure and drainage (never use builder’s sand). Plants planted this spring will need watering during the first summer while they become established, even if they are drought resistant varieties. There is also still time to transplant if necessary. 
• apply a balanced general purpose fertiliser to borders and beds and also to trees and shrubs 


By April there will be many lovely plants in flower in our gardens. 

 One unusual plant is Bilbergia nutans, it is a member of the pineapple family and is drought tolerant and cold hardy to about minus 7°C; grown in a pot one can really appreciate it’s unusual flowers. 

A pair of plants which look well together are Rhodanthemum hosmariense with lovely white daisies to contrast with the mauve flowers of Erysimium Bowles Mauve; both appreciate a suuny position with well drained soil. Cerinthe major purpurascens is a charming annual which flowers now and will set seed to geminate in the autumn ready for next year’s display. 

For those of you with an acid soil the Juneberry or Amelanchier canadensis is charming at the moment, these dainty white flowers are followed by berries in June (which the birds adore) and excellent autumn colour later in the year. 

There will be a number of flower fairs in the area over the next couple of months, including Sunday 11th April at La Pomarede (just south of Revel), Sunday 2nd May at Revel and the weekend of 15th & 16th May at the Abbaye de Fontfroide at Narbonne. I shall hope to see you there! 

And, looking ahead – a date for your diary – we shall be holding our annual open weekend at La Petite Pépinière over the weekend of 5th and 6th June, if you are on my mailing list you’ll receive more details soon or if you would like to know more contact Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com 

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois. Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com www.lapetitepepiniere.com 
Open March to November 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment. 

For garden tours of the Languedoc have a look at www.hiddengardensfrance.com 


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After a cold winter: 

Local opinion seems to be divided as to whether this is the worst winter for thirty years or forty years. In any event, after a cold winter the heavy snow of the 8th March seemed to add insult to injury. Inevitably some plants will have suffered after such a severe winter but don't rush to throw plants away. Many shrubs and sub shrubs will shoot again from the rootstock, even as late as June. Cut back cold damaged wood this month and wait and hope! Tender perennials such as geraniums and osteospermums will probably not be worth trying to save. Citrus trees will usually regenerate. Among the palms that grow locally Washingtonias and, to some extent, Phoenix have been damaged by cold but if the growing point is still green the plant should recover. Other tender plants such as Plumbago, Bougainvillea and Ipomea learii (perennial morning glory) may not regrow this year, much will depend on the siting of the plant, whether it was mulched and how well developed the rootstock is, but do be patient! 


Don't forget that La Petite Pépinière is now open on Fridays & Saturdays from 10 to 18h, on Sunday mornings from 10 to 12h and by appointment. For garden tours of the Languedoc visit www.hiddengardensfrance.com 


For further information or for gardening queries in general, please contact Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com 

La Petite Pépinière de Caunes - perennials & shrubs for summer dry climates 
21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 
11160 Caunes-Minervois 
Tel: 04 68 78 43 81 
Email: Gill@lapetitepepiniere.com 
www.lapetitepepiniere.com