Winter - Admire the Spectacle of Nature
The Mimosa Tree
Nothing but Flowers
It is called the "winter sun"! This flower, from the acacia family and originating from Australia, was imported around 1880 to Cannes. It flourished in Provence thanks to the region's mild temperatures and exceptional light. The mimosa has small golden yellow pompons that hang directly from the stem. Its evergreen foliage is light green, sometimes slightly bluish. This flower is an eye-catcher with its original beauty! It is also loved for its scent, with its delicious, powdery, unforgettable fragrance! It blooms from January onwards and has become the emblem of the Côte d'Azur!
Enchanting Places
There are some truly magical places where you can admire the winter sun and be intoxicated by its fragrance:
In the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes:
The Mimosa Route is a must: this 130 kilometre circuit to be done between January and March between Bormes-les-Mimosas and Grasse offers you a sort of itinerant holiday between azure blue and yellow sun. This itinerary, which will take you through the communes of Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, Sainte-Maxime, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Tanneron and Pégomas, offers a multitude of experiences and discoveries around this wonderful winter sun!
To follow the Mimosa Route is to live a unique experience and witness an explosion of colours and scents!
You can of course do the whole circuit or choose to visit some of the places on this route. Here are a few that are worth a visit:
If you like gardens, don't miss:
- the Parc Gonzalez, in Bormes-les-Mimosas
- the Domaine du Rayol, in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer
- the Jardin botanique des Myrtes in Sainte-Maxime
- the Mimosas garden in Pégomas
If you prefer nature walks, don't miss:
- the Route d'Or, which crosses the largest mimosa forest in Europe, in the heart of the Tanneron massif
- the Maures and Estérel massifs
- the Corniche d'Or
All details and information on the routedumimosa.com website.
Treat Yourself To
A book: 'The Mimosa: festivals, folklore, customs and traditions of Mediterranean Provence' by Franck Ricordel, published by Corollys, 2000.
What a surprise for our guests from the four corners of the world when, in the middle of winter, they discover thousands of little suns hanging from a strange little tree... These tiny golden comets blossom under the benefits of the Riviera's star like thousands of stars blooming in the immaculate blue sky. A sparkling garland that amazes the eyes, delights the spirits and warms the hearts. The Mimosa, this golden symbol which comes to us from the Australian continent, has found its favourite land in Provence! Festivals, folklore and traditions symbolise and honour this worthy representative of the flora of Mediterranean Provence. Follow the guide in the blue, green and gold country, and enjoy your encounter with one of the most fragrant species in the plant world, with an incomparable perfume: the flowers of the mimosa.
A mimosa tree: if you live in a region that allows it, buy a winter sun! Cavatore Nurseries offers more than 180 varieties! Cavatore Nurseries, 22 chemin des Orchidées, in Bormes-les-Mimosas. Information: mimosa-cavatore.fr
Rosemary
Nothing but Flowers
This shrub with narrow, thick, leathery leaves grows wild around the Mediterranean and flowers from January if it is not too cold. It has pale blue to purple flowers and very branched stems. It likes siliceous, calcareous or stony soils without stagnant humidity and thrives in south-facing locations sheltered from the wind. Rosemary never loses its foliage. It is a very popular plant for its smell and taste. Fresh or dried, it is used in Provençal cuisine and a domesticated variety can be found in gardens!
Enchanting Places
Rosemary thrives in arid and sunny areas such as garrigues, maquis and rock gardens. The Calanques National Park is full of this aromatic plant.
Treat Yourself To
A book: 'Tout est bon dans le thym et le romarin' by Claire Martel and Valéry Maitre de Kroon, Sud-Ouest, 2012.
These two well-matched cousins bring a little bit of the garrigue to your table. Learn how to prepare your own feta, breadsticks and herb coulis, but also how to flavour winter vegetables or desserts. Thyme and rosemary leaves are a concentrate of goodness, helping to cure colds, fatigue or digestion problems... Discover how to brew them to treat yourself, regain energy, clean your skin or make your hair shine.
Provençal Gorse
Nothing but Flowers
This Mediterranean shrub, also known as argeiras and argelas, can reach a height of 1.50 metres. It is the most prickly shrub in the scrubland because it has large thorns. Its branches are covered with shoots ending in innumerable spikes, which are themselves branched and prickly. Its leaves are almost non-existent, reduced to scales. Its yellow flowers give off a delicious smell of coconut or almond. It thrives in dry, poor, slightly acidic soil and, of course, it loves the sun. Gorse blooms from December and continues to flower until April.
Enchanting Places
Gorse is the shrub of the garrigues. You will therefore find it in this type of plant formation close to the maquis. The Calanques National Park is the perfect place to admire them.
Treat Yourself To
A gorse: buy a gorse online to enjoy at home. This one acclimates very well in gardens: 1jardin2plantes.info
Winter Jasmine
Nothing but Flowers
The winter jasmine, also known as the "naked flower jasmine", is a sarmentous shrub grown as an ornamental plant. It originated in China and was introduced to France in 1844. It has branches 3 to 5 metres long, leaves 2 to 3 centimetres long, yellow flowers with 5 or 6 petals, 2.5 centimetres in diameter. This hardy plant can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C. It likes cooler temperatures, but is not fond of cold winds and likes to be sheltered in the sun. It usually flowers in January, and sometimes as early as December if it is well exposed. The bright yellow flowers are solitary, isolated, located in the leaf axils. It is the only winter-flowering climber.
Enchanting Places
There is no specific place to see the winter jasmine. If you are attentive, as you walk around, you can admire it in gardens, hedges, on terraces or balconies. It can be found a lot in the Luberon.
Treat Yourself To
A jasmine plant: take advantage of your stay in the South to bring back a winter jasmine. Go to Aixotic Pépinière, 441 Rte de Berre, in Ventabren or on their website: pepiniere-paysage-provence.com
Or at botanic® Aix-en-Provence: botanic.com
