Newsletter, 14 April 24

Gardens of Elegance

Giverny, Monet’s House

Greetings, dear friend!

I hope this message finds you well and that you are enjoying a pleasant Sunday. Here in Paris, we've been fortunate enough to experience a brief glimpse of summer over the past couple of days—glorious sunshine and temperatures soaring to 28 degrees Celsius. Much to my dismay, this lovely weather is set to depart tomorrow!

I suggested to Mum that she should write a letter of complaint or perhaps even take to the streets with a placard proclaiming, "Bring back our summer!" After all, we French are no strangers to a good protest for causes big and small—why not for the weather, too?

However, Mum reassured me with her usual pragmatism: the fine weather will return soon, and with it, all the beauty of spring in full bloom.

Speaking of beauty, did you know that France is renowned for its exquisite gardens?

Giverny is one of the most famous; it was the residence and garden of Claude Monet, the French impressionist painter, from 1883 until his death in 1926. Located near Vernon in Normandy, about 75 km west of Paris, the gardens at Giverny are a living homage to Monet's passion for painting, gardening, and nature. They are divided into two main parts: the Clos Normand and the Water Garden.

Clos Normand

The Clos Normand is situated in front of Monet's house. It is not arranged in a formal French garden style but is instead planted more freely, reflecting Monet's preferences. The land, which slopes gently upwards from the house, is laid out in colour-coordinated flower beds. These beds are a mix of common and exotic plants, showcasing an array of textures and heights that provide depth and variety.

Flowers and Plants in the Clos Normand

• Spring: The garden comes alive with the blooms of tulips, irises, and cherry blossoms. Poppies and forget-me-nots also add to the colourful display.

• Summer: A vibrant palette is created by roses, nasturtiums, and geraniums. The paths are famously overrun with nasturtiums, creating a vivid carpet of orange and yellow.

• Autumn: Later in the year, the garden remains lively with dahlias and sunflowers, offering a rich mix of warm colors.

The Water Garden

Inspired by Japanese gardens that Monet knew from prints and paintings, the Water Garden is famous for its green Japanese bridge covered with wisterias, water lilies, azaleas, and bamboo trees. The pond, designed by Monet himself, reflects the changing skies and is populated with the water lilies that have come to be associated with his most famous paintings.

Giverny, Water Lilies Bridge

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Design and Aim

The overall design of Giverny's gardens was very much Monet's creation; he meticulously planned the layout and selection of plants to ensure a continuous display of colour from spring to autumn. Monet's aim was not just to create a beautiful garden but also to provide inspiration for his paintings. The gardens were his living "studio," with the changing light and seasons offering endless variation for his impressionist work.

Monet's Water Lilies and the Local Authorities

When Monet decided to create the pond that would become the subject of many of his water lily paintings, he needed to divert water from a nearby river, the Epte. To do this, he planned an ambitious project that involved creating a small diversion of the river into his property. However, this plan was not met with enthusiasm by everyone. The local farmers were concerned that Monet's water garden would create marshland, which would be harmful to their crops due to potential pests and diseases the water could harbor.

Despite these objections, Monet pressed ahead with his plans. He applied for permission from the local authorities to divert the river and create his pond. The process was not straightforward, and Monet had to navigate the bureaucracy and skepticism of the local council. It took some persuasion, but he was eventually granted the permission he needed. Monet's persistence paid off, and the water garden was created. The pond and its surroundings became an iconic subject of his paintings, particularly the series featuring water lilies, which are among his most famous works.

Giverny is just a small jewel compared to other famous gardens in the world, such as:

1.      Kew Gardens, London, England - Officially known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is renowned for its expansive collection of plants. It houses the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world, including over 50,000 different species. Its iconic features include the Palm House, the Temperate House, and the Treetop Walkway.

2.      The Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada - Created by Jennie Butchart in the early 20th century, these gardens transform an exhausted limestone quarry into a lush garden of intricate designs and vibrant displays. Highlights include the Sunken Garden, the Japanese Garden, and spectacular seasonal floral displays.

3.      Ryoan-ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan - Famous for its Zen rock garden, Ryoan-ji is a masterpiece of Japanese garden design. The rock garden features 15 stones arranged so that, from any viewpoint, at least one stone is always hidden from the viewer. It is a place of serene contemplation and aesthetic simplicity.

4.      Villa d'Este, Tivoli, Italy - A UNESCO World Heritage site, this Italian Renaissance garden is celebrated for its elaborate fountains and classical design elements. The garden's water features and hydraulic engineering were highly innovative for the 16th century and continue to attract visitors from around the world.

5.      The Summer Palace, Beijing, China - This vast ensemble of lakes, gardens, and palaces in Beijing is an outstanding expression of Chinese garden design. The gardens incorporate natural landscapes of hills and open water combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples, and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.

6.      Gardens of Versailles, Versailles, France - Designed for Louis XIV and a symbol of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime, the Gardens of Versailles are one of the most visited public sites in France, renowned for their size, architectural precision, and sheer beauty. Features like the Orangerie, the Grand Canal, and numerous fountains make it a place of unparalleled grandeur.

7.      Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa - Set against the backdrop of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is acclaimed as one of the world’s great botanic gardens. Dedicated to preserving South Africa's unique flora, it is also famous for its display of native plants, including various proteas and fynbos.

These gardens not only showcase an array of spectacular plants and flowers but also reflect the cultural significance and artistic expressions of their respective regions. Each one offers a unique experience highlighting the interaction between nature and human creativity.

Which is your preferred garden? Please do let me know, I like reading your comments!

Here is a true story about a dream and a garden that happened a few years before my Daddy Uddy crossed the rainbow bridge:

Dear friend, I hope you enjoyed today’s newsletter and wish you a pleasant week!

Your loving writer,

Freddy