Tag Archives: bamboo

Castle of Trevarez in France: The Japanese Gardens

The castle of Trevarez near Chateauneuf du Faou in northern Brittany, France, is one of the last great castles built in France. Construction began in 1892 for a French politician and brought together all the faste and excess of the Belle Epoque, frescoes, carvings, marble, mosaics, ornate panels and fireplaces.

It is often referred to as the pink or red castle, because of the pink color it gets from the bricks used.  It was unfortunately bombed in the 1940s, and has not been occupied since, but it is being renovated by the government who purchased it in the 70s.

The gardens were neglected as well for many years and have been slowly brought back to their original glory, one area at a time. The grounds are extensive, with stables, a large wash house, theme gardens, formal gardens and much more.

In this post, I am featuring the Japanese gardens.There were originally two Japanese gardens: a smaller one nearer the main entrance and a larger one at the other end of the domain on the other side of the castle, but this latter has yet to be redone the way it used to be and after many years of neglect very little is left of it and the woods have reclaimed most of it.

At the entrance of the Japanese garden is a small pavilion; note the intricate paving, the bamboo, and water feature.

DSC01550 DSC01551 DSC01552 DSC01548 DSC01549

Past the pavilion is the Japanese rock garden with plantings and rock river beds for the stream.

DSC01558 DSC01570 DSC01569 DSC01568 DSC01566 DSC01565 DSC01564 DSC01563 DSC01561 DSC01560DSC01572 DSC01579 DSC01577 DSC01576 DSC01575 DSC01574 DSC01573 DSC01580Finally , below are a few photos of what is left of the other Japanese garden.

DSC01788 DSC01787 DSC01786 DSC01785 DSC01793 DSC01792 DSC01791 DSC01790 DSC01789

 

 

Advertisement

Brest Botanical Gardens Part II: The Preservation Gardens

In northern Brittany, the Botanical Gardens in Brest enjoy a privileged location in a small valley with a stream throughout, and creating a microclimate allowing endangered species to grow with additional protection. Long and narrow, these gardens are divided into the park area at one end, end the botanical gardens proper at the other.

DSC01296

In this second post, I am featuring the botanical gardens, which are largely dedicated to the preservation of endangered species of plants. The water features here are more extensive than in the park area, with large ponds and ducks in addition to the stream running the length of the park. Here again, the areas around the stream are reminiscent of Japanese rock gardens, and landscaped with a profusion of bridges, ferns or bamboo groves. Note the beautiful planting of Tasmanian tree ferns along the banks, as well as some particularly large gunneras.

DSC01340 DSC01343 DSC01344 DSC01348 DSC01349 DSC01350 DSC01352 DSC01353 DSC01354 DSC01355 DSC01356 DSC01357 DSC01358 DSC01365 DSC01297 DSC01298 DSC01299 DSC01300 DSC01302 DSC01304 DSC01307 DSC01311 DSC01313 DSC01314 DSC01317 DSC01320 DSC01321 DSC01323 DSC01332 DSC01333 DSC01334 DSC01336 DSC01337

 

Woodland Shade and Bamboo Garden

The far end of this property has been is planted with tall trees and has bee turned into a woodland shaded garden accented with statues and still lives, and edged in a bamboo grove transitioning to the rest of the garden. Other plantings such as Japanese maple emphasize the Asian garden feel of this garden.

DSC00422 DSC00413 DSC00412 DSC00411 DSC00410 DSC00409 DSC00407 DSC00406 DSC00405 DSC00423 DSC00421 DSC00420 DSC00419 DSC00418 DSC00416 DSC00415 DSC00414

 

Brittany Terraced Garden with a Tropical Feel

This garden lies behind the house on a hill up from the waterfront. It has the feel of a tropical retreat with lush banana trees and bamboos offering a lush backdrop for the many perennials such as hydrangeas or roses found in so many Britttany gardens.

DSC00400 DSC00378 DSC00379 DSC00380 DSC00382 DSC00383 DSC00384 DSC00385 DSC00386 DSC00387 DSC00389 DSC00391 DSC00392 DSC00393 DSC00394 DSC00395 DSC00396 DSC00397 DSC00398 DSC00399