GLORIOUS GARDENS LEGGETT MAGAZINE
18 leggettfrance.com
the house. Once we'd visited
Latour-Marliac's water gardens,
we just had to include some
exotic water lilies and other
aquatics in our somewhat
smaller water garden. When everything is in bloom, the effect
is simply magical."
Opening the garden took
a lot of work and organisation.
"We scattered tea tables and
parasols around the garden
so our visitors could enjoy the
views. Many of them lingered
for hours, talking and discussing planting schemes.
"We couldn't have achieved
it without the wonderful team
who helped us: from those
who laboured on the garden
itself for weeks beforehand, to
those who manned the gate,
made cakes and poured English
afternoon tea."
The criteria for gardeners to
open their gardens are similar
to those for the English National Gardens
scheme, though
simpler: you must provide 20
minutes of interest and, usually,
afternoon tea. A €10 annual
donation provides entry to all
gardens - which start opening
in April and May and carry on
until October.
There were almost as many
French as English visitors this year
- which proves that gardening is a
universal language, whether you
have green fingers or merely like to
sip tea and admire Nature.
Gardeners like nothing better
than sharing the joy of the special
places they create around their
homes. Best of all, Jardins Ouverts
has helped some fantastic children
in a very special way.
For further details on Open Gardens
visit www.opengardens.eu