The gardens of Paris

Paris at Christmas is wonderful, the tourists are gone (except us) and the city was ours to explore. We stayed in the 5th district within walking distance of the Luxembourg Gardens. Mums were still blooming despite snow and there were plantings everywhere of pansies, primrose and English daisies.

Formality is the rule here and everywhere you look there is wonderful design dating back centuries. Most of these pictures come from the The Medici Fountain built in 1601. Checkout the use of the ivy on the sides of the pool. Of course our little garden gnome travelled with us and enjoyed the splendor of France.

New plantings were protected by red and white plastic ribbon, it was ugly, but I guess they were afraid people wouldn't see the plants and walk right though them.

The downed tree below is actually the 1999 bronze sculpture by Giuseppe Penone, L'Arbre Des Voyelles. It's right in the middle of the garden bed. Now I don't feel so bad about leaving a downed tree in my garden for a year! More photos and stories from France tomorrow.