Wednesday 11 April 2012

Disasters and miracles

It was wonderful to arrive back in Caunes. It did feel like home when we arrived, for what will be our first long stay here. As expected some of the spring flowers are out and making everywhere look delightful. All was well with the house....a new hot water tank  has been fitted while we have been away, and the decking around the pool is nearly finished.

However.....disaster in the garden



One dead palm tree, and two dead mimosa trees.


Although this is sad, it's hard to be depressed about it. There is so much else going on in the garden, where the snow and ice did not manage to destroy things.


vines look fine


there will be figs


wild irises look great


The almond trees have fruit, the apple blossom is spectacular, and the lilac trees are wonderful. So being a glass is half full sort of person, I am loving being back. ....and, as I write this, Mark is in the garage, building a swing seat..... probably to be the subject of a further blog.






16 comments:

  1. Yes, on balance, I think there are some wonderful signs of life to come though it's a shame about that palm tree - might it just need a prune..? Might it revive as the year goes on? The rest of the garden looks stunning and the promise of figs would be all I needed! Look forward to seeing developments, swing seat and all, as you settle in to your French life. Axxx

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    1. There is a tiny glimmer of hope for the palm...landscape gardener friend looked at it and says there is still a tiny bit of green in the middle...so we will wait, and hope. The mimosa trees are completely dead though. It's such a shame, they were so beautiful. However, all else is great....Janice.x

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  2. Glad to see you have arrived safely and looking forward to hearing more from you in France.
    We lost our Mimosa tree too, and Cordyline palm. However, although we had the palm cut down it keeps send up new ones. Your Mimosa has probably well and truly had it because it has fallen over, but look carefully around its edges it may send up more from the roots if they still have life.
    The irises are lovely, and it will be so interesting to see what comes up, in this your first year.

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    1. The Mimosa was sad...it had been so warm , the sap was rising, and it looked beautiful...then came the -10 degrees C. for over a week . The bark has burst open, and it is well and truly gone. However, I am going to keep hoping that the palm may have some life in it yet. However, its good to be back. J.

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  3. I almost cut down my plumbago last week because it seemed to have no life in it at all, but today I have noticed some tiny shoots at the base. Hope reigns.

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    1. Yes, I am going to keep hoping. Good luck with the plumbago shoots. J.

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  4. It's sad to lose plants but don't give up yet. They may revive. Our fig trees are at the same stage as yours. I adore figs and it looks to be a bumper crop this year.

    Bet you're glad to be there. Ooh will be interested to know how the swing seat goes....with pictures of course...as I'm sure Mr A might want to copy as his next project!

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    1. Dont get excited about the swing seat Ayak.....no wood involved.... just a kit that came from the supermarket ! However, it looks fine, and the kids will love it, and it will provide a little extra place to sit in the shade when I have a house full ! It's great to be back. J.

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  5. Glad you've arrived safely and the house is fine after the great freeze, Janice. I've seen other bloggers in France bemoaning the loss of cherished plants this winter, but one is seeing her apparently stone-dead mimosa miraculously sending up tiny green shoots, so don't give up hope quite yet.

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    1. You were my 2999th visitor Perpetua, I am thrilled !
      Lots of people are telling me to sit tight and continue hoping, so I will. It just seems so tragic that the previous owners of this home must have planted and nurtured the big palm, and I've only had its care as my responsibility for 6 months..... anyway, I will continue to watch for those green shoots. J.

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  6. So sad to see the palm and mimosas, Janice, but, like others have said, hang tight for a bit. The palm, at least, may come back if you see some green. Life is still flowing.

    Your photos are fabulous - just dripping with the essence of springtime. Look at those figs, determined to keep on growing. It will be so grand to read about your time in Caunes over the months. Enjoy, Janice, as I am sure you will.

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  7. Thanks Penny, all the advice we seem to be getting is that the palm may surprise us, so I am keeping everything crossed. I am delighted at how much we feel "at home" here, even though it is only 12 months since we first saw the house and started to get to know Caunes. Hope all is well with you. Janice.

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  8. Hello Janice:
    Take heart with a regard to your possible losses in the garden. In our twenty-five years of serious gardening in Herefordshire we never gave up on a plant for at least six months. A long time to wait but, we do assure you, the vast majority of things recovered.

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    1. Thanks Jane and Lance, I am getting more and more hopeful each day. A landscape gardnener friend visited yesterday and his advice suggests the palm at least will recover. It is depressing to see people's vehicles loaded up with dead palms, off to the tip.... I am going to wait and see ! J.

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  9. Hi Janice....Happy you arrived safe and sound. Sorry about the loss of your greenery in the garden..... you must be in a gorgeous area, always my dream to live in France. Can't to hear more of your adventures. Have a great day!!!!

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    1. Hi Erica ( Irene)..yes, its good to be back here, and although the garden seemed to be devastated by the freeze, I am now hopeful that the palm may be showing some signs of life. Hope all is well with you. J.

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