Garden Tour: Formal French Gardens

This week on The Horti-Culturalists we're going to tag along on Stephen's tour to some of the formal gardens of the Normandy region in France! We'll look at some classically designed French gardens as well as a more contemporary garden still planted with a nod to the classical traditions of a few centuries ago. Stephen leads gardens tours once a year as part of ASA Cultural Tours and you can find out more about upcoming trips here: www.asatours.c...
The gardens we're visiting in this video are:
Château de Sassy
Château de Brécy
Château de Boutemont
Le Jardin Plume
Château du Mesnil Geoffroy

[@patriciahosking6552]

I have corokia hedges. They are an excellent replacement for box in formal gardens plus they provide feed for birds.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Interesting! Thanks for watching!

[@L.A.6482]

Very interesting! I suppose people will always try to control nature but we often fail to comprehend the long term consequences. The plants and trees and wildlife often suffer our “interventions”.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@lukebanks9855]

Cor i'd give my two front teeth for a tour of Madeira. Went a few years back- stunning place for its foliage and winding roads...and it's traditional tobogganing!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

You could book with ASA tour and keep your front teeth ! Find me on Facebook, X or Instagram and see what we did this year. Regards Stephen

[@amyjones2490]

Pollarded trees gives estates wood for burning without killing the whole tree. Makes lots of sense I think.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

There you go! Thanks for watching!

[@MyFocusVaries]

I know Erin the Impatient Gardener had boxwood bought in her garden, so it's definitely in the U.S. I love these formal gardens. We enjoyed visiting the gardens at Versailles years ago, with so many separate gardens and different lovely views.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@sstokke8900]

Tres bon! Thank you for sharing this.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@amyjones2490]

Here in the US they are breeding box blight resistant varieties.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Excellent! Thanks for watching!

[@loriedmundson782]

Would like to go on the Normandy tour sometime. The boxwood blight is in the US. Have not heard anything about the moth. I live in Ohio. So far, my bushes are healthy and live in partial shade. Knock on wood. Off topic: Thank you for the suggestions of shrubs from your various videos. Several of them are native to my area. Goat's Beard, Rough Leaf Dogwood, and Forthergilla. Did not have the varieties of forthergilla you highlighted at the nursery. The variety available was one that was discovered many years ago in one of the city parks in Cincinnati. Pretty cool. Your channel is one of my favorites. Thanks again for all the useful information.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thank you very much!

[@beatricevoye5359]

🇫🇷 Il faut aussi voir le jardin de Marqueyssac en Dordogne. Les buis sont d'une très grande beauté.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Merci d'avoir regardé!

[@MDA-rs4uf]

I'm planning a trip to Bressingham garden which I think is Adrian Bloom's garden in England next year...I have always heard "foggy bottom" was great yet I'm betting Stephen will know for sure...I've been to Wisely and Kew and think Wisely is terrific...Kew is much better than it was when I first went 15 years ago... let me know....m

[@thehorti-culturalists]

have you been to Great Dixter and Sisinghurst , well worth it. In fact England is full of worthwhile gardens. Regards Stephen

[@MDA-rs4uf]

I am adding them to my list as we speak...thanks...m

[@pocketsofmayhem]

Yes to box blight in areas of the US. I am in mid Michigan and we have notices about box blight in the area.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

sad Regards Stephen

[@ensi6796]

I don’t know if you changed your camera but the image of the two of you with the Fall background is of excellent quality. I am enjoying the “ trips with you.” The last chateau, Le Jardin des Plumes seem to have had some “ interventions” from the perenial movement. The way the first hedge was cut on an ondulating wave reminds me of Piet Oudolf. Did he do any work at this particular Garden. What is the name of white rose climber that is making an arch over two hedges ( I think it is the last chateau, de Mesnil Geoffroy). I do like the idea of less leaves on a tree. I do not find the trees in the summer looking to attractive. It is just a mass of green that is not very attractive. Maybe that is why they cut the tops and also some of branches.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Sorry but know idea what the rose was as there was no one to ask but I hope you enjoyed the video none the less. Regards Stephen

[@simonbremner2707]

I've been Frenched twice in a week First by Monty Don on the TV now by the Horties on the youtube😅 you mention the Islamic influence, Monty paradise gardens was on ABC yesterday.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

I’m in the Azores at the moment so didn’t see the Monty program, but rest assured where I am is bound to show up on our channel at some point and I don’t think he has been here! Regards Stephen

[@nicolabaker8429]

Steven what is that beautiful tree to your left behind you? I have the perfect spot for one in my garden. Beautiful autumn interest and the colour of the trunk is divine!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

It is a Zelkova serrata I think. Regards Stephen

[@MrPhadraig]

👍👍👍

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@brocktoon8]

When I lived in America before ever coming to Europe, I always thought pollarded trees were somehow romantic because they were European. They were exotic. But after having lived here now for over a decade and seen my fair share of pollarded trees, I just feel sorry for them. I think a tree is so much more healthy and beautiful and cheerful, living its potential when allowed to grow naturally and reach its full size. Not a fan of pollarded trees anymore. I will not be pollarding my trees should the day ever come when I own my own French Chateau! 🤣

[@thehorti-culturalists]

If only I could afford a FrenchChateau! Regards Stephen

[@Marcshaw-zf5er]

Can i move my Prumnopitys ladei (black pine) its been in the ground 6 months, however I feel its a bit to close to the house I am based in the central coast region nsw thank you, I love the show !

[@thehorti-culturalists]

It should move well as it’s only been in a short time however mine is over 15years I’d and still only about two metres tall so it may not be your problem! Regards Stephen

[@Marcshaw-zf5er]

@@thehorti-culturalists wow okay it really is slow growing, thanks for the advice 😀

[@lesliekendall5668]

A gov't telling people who their heir(s) can be?? Good grief. Maybe the owner could make the estate their heir and say whatever children want to live there can.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

It is what it is and fairness was the intent but it does have consequences. Regards Stephen

[@MDA-rs4uf]

Way too much maintenance !! Who has time for that???

[@thehorti-culturalists]

that is the point of visiting a garden that someone else maintains! Regards Stephen