I was completely wowed by Les Jardins Agapanthe at the beginning of June this year. Above are glorious groupings of Allium Globemaster and as the bulb planting season is (just about) still with us, I’m borrowing this idea and have ‘Globemaster’ bulbs waiting to be planted as I type.
The first thing that really hits you is that all of the gardens are mulched with an light-coloured river sand which gives you the impression that you’re not far from the beach in the South of France, (when you’re actually in Normandy, a little north of Rouen). Très Mediterranean.
This area looked great from every angle, and seemed like an homage to the first world war cemeteries. Magnificent!
As you follow the twists and turns of the pathways, through gigantic exotic plantings to more intimate shady settings, it felt like taking a masterclass in garden design. It’s ‘Jardins’ in the plural by the way, as there are 2 different gardens, created by garden designer Alexandre Thomas, surrounding two houses, with a small road dividing them. Each garden is artfully divided into a number of smaller gardens, almost like different stage sets and I absolutely loved the drama and theatricality of it all. If you’re ever in Normandy, make sure you visit!
P.s. And you could also visit Le Jardin Plume (above).
Out of my shed 
I love the simplicity and stature of those alliums-plus they are in flower for a relatively long time. And what a good design idea to have them emerging through the backdrop of pale sand.
Hi Sue, lovely bold planting throughout all of the gardens (as well as the sand mulch). Lots of evergreen topiary too, but never too much as the sand lightened it all up. Absolutely gorgeous garden to visit!
An uplifting – almost outrageous! – planting idea. I know the lovely Jardin Plume but have never visited Les Jardins Aganpanthe. You have made me smile, thank you, Non
Hi Non, you’re right. They are a tad outrageous and all the more stunning for it I reckon. Haven’t quite the space (or budget) for such large plantings in Finsbury Park, but definitely want to see how these gorgeous blooms fare in London clay next year….
What a gorgeous planting scheme. I’m an allium fan – bold shapes, pops of colour, long-lasting, lovely seedheads – so to see them planted like this is brilliant. If I’m ever in the area, I’ll definitely try to visit these gardens.
Hi Sam, seem to visit more French gardens than uk ones as I take most of my holidays there. Definitely worth visiting Les Jardins Agapanthe and other Normandy gardens if you get the chance….Mind you , I have itineraries for a few uk mini garden tours in my head too.
Visiting gardens never fails to inspire and I do like the way those alliums have been planted, very minimal. It’s also a very welcome peek back to sunnier days on this grey November day! Definitely a garden to go on my bucket list.
Hi Caro, Yes, less is definitely more sometimes, but then these gardens have such a strong structure of evergreen plantings too. Memories of those sunny days are very warming indeed.
By the way, CONGRATULATIONS on being a finalist at the GMG Awards for Blog of the Year this year! Much deserved!
I love that little Allium garden. Very effective. Globemaster is so expensive to buy here, but I bought 9 on sale at the end of the season this fall. I have hundreds of Purple Sensation, but Globemaster lasts for weeks longer than the Purple Sensation. I can’t wait for spring.
Hi Lisa, good to know that these (expensive-£3 a pop here) bulbs have such a long flowering season. I love their chunkiness and like you, can’t wait to see how they flower come spring. Think the ‘little’ Allium garden is bigger than my front and back gardens combined, but looking forward to creating my own homage to this wonderful garden.
What lovely pictures to brighten up a dull November day! I loved that garden, I visited with my aunt last summer and we were blown away by the planting. Such a range of gorgeous gardens in that part of Normandy. You’ve reminded me I must go back!!
Hi Emily, meant to write a post back in summer, but those bulbs sitting waiting to be planted have been playing on my mind! Would love to see some Agapanthes too (not a sign of them in June), so a repeat visit later in the year would be a grand idea.
Stunning…what a beautiful garden. Thanks for the inspiration.
Pleasure Joan!
Yes, love the theatricality too.
Hi Nicolette, This is a marvel of a garden to visit and hope you can make it there when you’re over next time. Just wanted to plonk myself down in some of those chairs and have some delicious French bread and cheese (and a glass or two of wine). Beautifully designed spaces with so much attention to detail. Looking forward to a return visit. Nx
Interesting planting of the Alliums Naomi, like you I have some here waiting to be planted but have been holding back with indecision. I would love to do something like this, I can see why you likened to it to a First World War cemetery, I love the lines they have created too. I hope we get to visit one day, what a really beautiful garden.
Hi Julie, yes, great lines and beautifully bold planting. Good luck with your decision making!
Love the pics of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker on your blog. Only very rarely see one of these in my back garden in Finsbury Park, but lots of Greenfinches who spend ages on the feeder and a few Goldfinches too. Very pleasurable viewing.
Wow, that looks a wonderful garden to visit.
I’ve seen a couple of instances of Agapanthus used really well in the UK too. There’s a whole river of them going down the middle of the street just after you get off the ferry in Jersey. I need to check, but I think Jersey is particularly noted for its Agapanthus, almost to oust the Jersey lily for top spot as the island’s flower.
Also on the way into Poole on the A350, there’s an amazing roundabout which has a fishing boat in the middle, surrounded by pampas grass and Agapanthus representing the nearby sea. I always remember too late to fish my camera out to take a picture as we speed past on the way to visiting relatives. One day I’ll get there…
Lovely to see you last week 🙂
Hi Michelle, Great to see you too last week.
Yes, I’d love to go back later in summer to see how and where the Agapanthus are as there was hardly a sign of them in June. Maybe next year…. N x
I find it fascinating how plants can create such a breathtaking atmosphere; they can make you feel like you are in a different part of the world! Very nice pictures by the way, Its not everyday you see such a perfectly detailed garden like this one!
My mom is so fond of globemaster bulbs. It’s just that this kind of flower struggles in living at our place. I don’t know, maybe the soil or the area we are. Nevertheless, she can always look at this post. 🙂
[…] « Inspiration at Les Jardins Agapanthe (part 1) […]
Hi Naomi
I went to Agapanthe last July and absolutely loved it too! Such a free, joyful, creative place. And interesting to see, from you pictures, how different a few months make – the alliums were over and it was hydrangeas that really stole the show. I loved Plume too but Agapanthe was euphoric. Weirdly, I don’t think it’s easy to capture its spirit in photos whereas Plume is a photographer’s dream – probably why it is more well known.
Alex x
Hi Alex, I think monthly trips to Les Jardins Agapanthe would be ideal to see the gardens in their true glory. Ah, if only!….Strangely, Jardin Plume was a good month away from looking completely lush at the beginning of June, so probably best from mid-late summer onwards.N x