Having started our holiday in France with an 'English' garden, the highlight of day two was a Japanese Garden. Not just any Japanese garden, on no, the largest Japanese Garden in Europe no less! It's even been approved by the Japanese.
The Parc Oriental de Maulévrier was built in the early 1900s by a Parisian designer but was restored in the 1980s and is based around a stretch of river.
Azeleas and Bamboo trimmed according to 'tamazukuri' or making round. Plants and shrubs trimmed to represent hills, rocks or clouds.
Cloud pruned Box tree.
The three tenets of Japanese pruning: to control size and shape, to open up the plant to light and air, and to expose the beauty of the plant and it's branching habit, certainly all evident here.
Stunning Wisteria 'tunnel', there was also Wisteria trained into freestanding trees.
Panoramic view of the river and Kmer temple from the jetty.
The water in the garden echoes the progress of human life from childhood to old age, with rushing streams, waterfalls, broad watercourses with islands and still, tranquil pools.
Amazing colour and shapes...
...more 'making round', and no, I'm not referring to Mum!
Stunning cloud pruned Yew, the gold is the new growth and it was under planted with an undulating cloud of a tiny, silvery plant which I haven't managed to identify. Any ideas?
Statuesque Bamboo...
...beautiful bark and Magnolias - even they were cloud pruned, together with Beech Trees and Cherry Laurels!
Peaceful reflections and Carp
The mounds of bamboo echoing the moss covered rocks, and an amazing pancake pruned Yew.
Temples and drifts of Orchidée jacinthe 'Bletilla striata'
This sums up the visit, fantastic shapes, colours and textures, but all muted (but not spoiled) by rain showers.
Our visit ended with a look round the bonsai house and a well deserved sit down in the tea room with the best cup of Earl Grey ever!
I feel we really should see a French style garden next!
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