Diane de Poitiers Garden at Chenonceau
In my opinion Chenonceau is the loveliest Chateau of the Loire valley...a big statement perhaps.
The loveliest for many reasons...
This beautiful Chateau has been dubbed 'the ladies Chateau' in honour of the incredible women who resided here & made huge contributions to the history of France.
Diane de Poitiers was but one of many -- you can read about her here.
Diane created this stunning garden... one of the two famous gardens at Chenonceau. The other garden created by Catherine de Medici I will show you another time.
These two women were great rivals...one was the Kings wife, the other, his favorite mistress.
Dianes garden is simple in design with many classical elements & to me it is perfect in every way.
In fact all gardeners can drawn on inspiration here because it is a garden easily
achieved on a smaller scale...
The garden basically consists of yew topiary, standards, herbaceous borders, lawn
& a water element.
The standards are all of one variety & the borders feature repeated plantings of four annuals.
They are planted twice a year making spring & autumn the very best times to see the garden at its best.
Classic features such as the giant urns planted with delicate hanging geraniums...very Italianate.
In September the borders featured erigeron, begonia, salvia & gaura,
the white climbing roses on the stone walls are a permanent feature.
The simple colour palette this season was pink & white with the begonia foliage adding depth.
I would love to see the spring planting...the changes must be subtle considering the permanent colours of pink & white.
Standards of european hibiscus....quite a common plant. I have planted a few of these myself because they grow very well in central Italy.
A very pretty & hardy plant...the Chenonceau hibiscus were in shades of pink, white & mauve.
I thought they looked wonderful & made a note to use more of these in my own garden...
The fountain at Chenonceau
The stunning fountain surrounded by pink stone...& perfect lawns which were being cut that very day.
Clipped low borders of lavender...with the yew topiary in the background.
Initially I thought the standards were peonies...the flowers were incredible but alas, unscented.
Chenonceau Chateau Loire valley France
Could this be the prettiest Chateau of the Loire valley...?
What do you think...?
Catherine de Medici's garden is equally stunning as is the Chateau interior & its potager garden.
I will be featuring posts on both in the weeks to come...
If you love gardens & romantic houses ...be sure to check back!
Tomorrow ...shopping in paris...
bisous
Michelle
images - michelle jacobson
our house in umbria
