Cyclamen at Carcassonne

If you are in the area, and take the slightest pleasure in gardens, then the garden of scented flowers at Limoux, about 20 minutes from Carcassonne, is well worth a visit.   It's not a huge garden; it's tended by a husband-and-wife team in the mornings and is open to the public in the afternoons.   It is divided into several areas; a dry garden, a veg garden, fruit trees, there is a pond, and there are sections given over to specific genus and other classifications of plants.

The plants are labelled with a helpful description.  This one, for the Cyclamen de Perse explains how its detergent properties were discovered first, and then it was noted that the fish in the river used for washing floated to the surface, making them easy to catch.  And then it was worked out how to reduce the dose of toxin so that humans could eat the fish safely.

The plants themselves are well cared for, weeds are scarce, and the paths are well-maintained.  It's clear that it's the work of people who enjoy what they're doing and creating.  Here's a few pictures.

I got a special personal bonus on walking around - Last year I blogged about a house plant with a spectacular array of blue flowers, and asked if anyone knew what it is.  I found one in the garden carefully labelled up. It's a Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'.   So now you know.

It would be possible to spend many hours in the garden wandering about, discovering new vistas and shy plants.  There is even a pretty, shaded sitting area, and you can buy cold drinks if you need to re-energise.  But the garden also amply rewards a relatively short walk around.  I came away feeling uplifted.