Flowers and Plants of Rural France
Sunlight through hazel leaves
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A year of foliage discoveries
We've only just completed a full year in France, so each season and each month has been quite a discovery for us. We've gone from the bare bones of the trees and basic structure of the garden, right through to lush greens and abundant flowers everywhere. Along with all our other adventures, I've tried to keep a photographic record of the flowers and plants, (plus a few of our animal friends) which we've come across throughout the year so far. Have you ever done this? It's great to keep a record and good fun too. Here in rural south central France, the area is a mix of pastureland and deciduous woods, with a range of evergreens thrown in. Let me take you through our findings from the garden and surrounding area over a year. |
Winter in France
Seed head
This should probably read 'very early spring'. We did see a bit of snow but our photo journal didn't really start until early March.
This was still the season of bare branches, but if you're prepared to take a closer look you can be surprised by what's actually there. Delicate old seed heads, lush looking evergreens winding up tree trunks, brilliant-green mosses and weirdly shaped lichens.
The lichens are a particularly good sign I believe, as they are an indicator of good air quality; only growing where there is little or no pollution. The ones on our fruit trees I find fascinating, as if they've been there since the beginning of time.
From all accounts the winter was fairly cold, though not too bad, but for our region it was unseasonably long and wet. Roll on the spring...
This was still the season of bare branches, but if you're prepared to take a closer look you can be surprised by what's actually there. Delicate old seed heads, lush looking evergreens winding up tree trunks, brilliant-green mosses and weirdly shaped lichens.
The lichens are a particularly good sign I believe, as they are an indicator of good air quality; only growing where there is little or no pollution. The ones on our fruit trees I find fascinating, as if they've been there since the beginning of time.
From all accounts the winter was fairly cold, though not too bad, but for our region it was unseasonably long and wet. Roll on the spring...
Winter photos
Spring here in France
Spring blossom
The real season of growth and renewal, and a personal favourite, wherever I am. Pinpricks of green start to appear and then the warming of the soil and the weather pushes things on.
Though all this started to happen, it was a particularly wet spring; lots and lots of rain, flooding in places and even the locals were unhappy about the unseasonable weather. Planting had to wait (as did the polytunnel) and the sun didn't make its usual impact. For us it was like an old-fashioned UK spring, with plenty of April showers!
But the sun came eventually and nature did what nature does best, and coped, adapted and moved on, with lovely results as we discovered the unfamiliar plants of the area. The fruit trees blossomed, creatures started to emerge from their hiding places and we found native orchids in our garden. What could be better?
Though all this started to happen, it was a particularly wet spring; lots and lots of rain, flooding in places and even the locals were unhappy about the unseasonable weather. Planting had to wait (as did the polytunnel) and the sun didn't make its usual impact. For us it was like an old-fashioned UK spring, with plenty of April showers!
But the sun came eventually and nature did what nature does best, and coped, adapted and moved on, with lovely results as we discovered the unfamiliar plants of the area. The fruit trees blossomed, creatures started to emerge from their hiding places and we found native orchids in our garden. What could be better?
Spring photos
Seasonal poll
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Previous results have been:
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Summer in rural France
Apple growing
Finally the sunshine everyone promised us we would get in France arrived. Beautiful warm days, reaching temperatures we weren't used to on a regular basis in the UK.
The plants came alive! Not like Audrey II in the Little Shop of Horrors you understand, but brilliant green leaves, flowers turning to fruits and nuts and seed pods. Brambles, bracken and bamboo growing so fast you could practically see them grow.
And then the butterflies and insects; wondrous colours, shapes and sizes, clouds of butterflies the likes I've never seen before, and creatures just not around in northern England.
It's not quite over yet, the summer, but there are the odd signs of autumn starting to appear. Cooler early mornings, the odd leaf turning yellow, bracken going brown in places; and the harvest of fruits and nuts beginning.
I wonder what the fall will bring?
The plants came alive! Not like Audrey II in the Little Shop of Horrors you understand, but brilliant green leaves, flowers turning to fruits and nuts and seed pods. Brambles, bracken and bamboo growing so fast you could practically see them grow.
And then the butterflies and insects; wondrous colours, shapes and sizes, clouds of butterflies the likes I've never seen before, and creatures just not around in northern England.
It's not quite over yet, the summer, but there are the odd signs of autumn starting to appear. Cooler early mornings, the odd leaf turning yellow, bracken going brown in places; and the harvest of fruits and nuts beginning.
I wonder what the fall will bring?
Summer photos
One day I undertook a tour through the country, and the diversity and beauties of nature I met with in this charming season, expelled every gloomy and vexatious thought.
— Daniel Boone
The French Autumn
The autumn turned into another period of adaption for us. At the end of August and the start of September there were signs that the fall was on its way, but this period, which normally in the UK lasts a few weeks, seemed to go on and on for us here in France. The autumn didn't really get started until late October or even November.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, we just weren't used to it. So we had phases that were much more like the 'Indian summers' we used to talk about (but never really got) in England.
Eventually the leaves began to change colour. We have a climber on a large part of the house and the barn that turns gradually to a glorious red, but the colours in the trees weren't as exciting as I'd hoped if I'm truthful. But the nuts, fruits and berries were all in great abundance and we spent the rest of our time getting snug for the winter. Here's to the next year...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, we just weren't used to it. So we had phases that were much more like the 'Indian summers' we used to talk about (but never really got) in England.
Eventually the leaves began to change colour. We have a climber on a large part of the house and the barn that turns gradually to a glorious red, but the colours in the trees weren't as exciting as I'd hoped if I'm truthful. But the nuts, fruits and berries were all in great abundance and we spent the rest of our time getting snug for the winter. Here's to the next year...
