The last time I visited Jardin Plume was 2 years ago and although most of the structure remains the same, the planting, especially in the flower and autumn gardens, seems even more lush than before.
Plants are densely woven in these two areas to create a real painterly feel.
And it’s the height, as well as the depth of the planting that really gives you the sense of being totally immersed in the planting, with the sweet scents, fluttering butterflies and the buzzing of bees completely infiltrating your senses.
The orchard (from which all other gardens are accessed) is by far the largest garden of the nine distinct areas,
and seating dotted around allows the visitor to soak up the atmosphere from many spots.
In fact all of Jardin Plume is peppered with great seating (above is the Miscanthus cloister), which has to make it one of the most welcoming gardens I know to visit.
This time round, I was totally captivated by the planting in the flower garden. Above you can see the muted pink Echinacea ‘Razmatazz’ stealing the show. It’s an Echinacea gone spectacularly wild and it really reminded me of photos of me and my sisters from the 70’s with our de rigueur spindly feather haircuts.
I was rather taken with this fancy cultivar in the nursery too.
Back in the flower garden and hedging around the edges of the beds creates a soft gentle formality,
and more defining hedging, and a great bench, allows you to quietly settle down and contemplate the fantastic plant combinations.
Each turn (or bench) provides another splendid vista, here, pink and white Gauras provide a light and airy scene. (Gauras seem to be the height of fashion in many a French municipal planting scheme this summer, often planted alongside Russian sage (Perovskia) which makes journeying through French villages an absolute delight.)
Quieter front of border plants, such as this Calamintha nepeta nepeta, were covered in bees,
and this vibrant Tagetes tennuifolia, a gorgeous half-hardy annual marigold, prodcuces abundant flowers all summer long and well into September. Both now on my list for next year.
Not sure if these chunky patches (each as big as my back garden!) of Inula racemosa Sonnenspeer were there before.
This scrappily majestic giant of a plant looks gorgeous en masse, but would (I imagine) look equally great in a mixed border too.
Finally, as I headed for the gate (and the dangerously tempting nursery), the sensuous box balls looked clipped to perfection in the spring garden.
It’s been great to see Jardin Plume again in September, but fingers crossed that I’ll be able to visit earlier in the year next time so that I can witness the change of seasons throughout this most inspiring of gardens.
P.s The garden is in Normandy, not far from Rouen. Other gardens to visit nearby are Abby St. Georges de Boscherville and the Jardin d’Angelique.
PPS. If you’re looking for a B&B in Rouen, look no further than Chambres avec Vues. It’s got to be the friendliest and most accommodating B&B we’ve ever stayed in. Greeted with tea, coffee or beers on arrival and a sumptuous breakfast the following morning, this is a most wonderful place to stay for a night or two (or more!) when visiting gardens.
Out of my shed 
Where is it, Naomi?
Hi Nicolette, Jardin Plume is just outside Rouen in Normandy.Well spotted! Will add this to the post! X
A fascinating post. Thank you very much. Our Mapesbury (NW2) Gardening Club wonders whether you ever talk to small groups like ours about encouraging people to get out and about in their front gardens? If you do, we would love to hear from you. With many thanks Margaret Mann
Hi Margaret, Yes I do give talks to Gardening Clubs. I’ll send you an email shortly. V.best Naomi
Brings back very fond memories. Thanks for a very stylish summary of a wonderfully innovative and enticing garden. Alain
Bonjour Alain, Glad you enjoyed the post. Up for a return visit next spring?
Dear Naomi
This is a garden I would love to visit one day, but until then, your post gives a wonderful flavour of the garden. Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes
Ellie
Hi Ellie, Gald you enjoyed the post. Jardin Plume definitely would be in my top 10 gardens to visit! V.best Naomi
What an inspiring place, I love that orchard, and the contrast between it and the densely planted flower borders is so dramatic. I like the height and tapestry-like quality of the planting, though I have to admit that the frilly pink echinacea is not to my tastes, I much prefer “White Swan”, strutting her stuff in the background alongside the yellow rudbekia. I can see how gaura would work really well alongside perovskia, and I might try that myself next year, the position I had the gaura in this year didn’t really work terribly well, though it clearly enjoys the soil conditions.
Hi Janet, the planting is so delicious and varied that there are combinations in this garden for every taste I reckon. I know, the Razmatazz is completely OTT, but I can’t help being drawn to it (as in moth to light scenario).
Have often found that Perovskia flops annoyingly, but it was upright and glorious amongst the Gauras I saw in France. Maybe lighter soil than London clay? Certainly warmer.What’s your soil like?
Couldn’t resist a beautiful pink Gaura from the nursery (plus a bright pink Aster, and a phlox or two…) to experiment with back home.
Thanks for introducing us to another fabulous garden with your excellent photos, Naomi! It looks a beautiful garden to visit – you do have some wonderful trips to France! I’m pinning this (in hope) to my bucket list of gardens to visit.
Hi Caro, Thought about your comment, and realised that most of my garden visits are when on holiday. Just turns out that we often take our longest holiday in France, so most likely to visit French gardens!! There are so many wonderful UK gardens to visit. Must start taking more UK holidays/trips too! N x
On my bucket list of gardens to visit too Naomi – have got tantalisingly near but never there. Thanks for sharing your visit. French villages are indeed a treat to travel through and as for the roundabouts I’ve considered risking life and limb to take photos of some of the jaw dropping creations we have come across.
Hi Anna, I know that tantalisingly near feeling. Have nearly made it to Jardin Agapanthe (also near Rouen) a number of times now and had a near miss with the Hortillonages (floating gardens) in Amiens this year too. Maybe next summer?….