Pierre opened his talk by reminding us how infrequently we see blue in nature, then talked of the psycho-sensory and physical properties of this celestial colour, loved by kings. He showed examples of the different ways in which blue can be introduced into a garden: flowers, plants, walls, doors, pots and planters.

Après avoir rappelé la rareté de la couleur bleue dans la nature, les propriétés psycho-sensorielles et physiques de la couleur céleste et des rois, Pierre mentionne les divers éléments qui peuvent mettre du bleu au jardin: éléments végétaux bien-sûr, mais aussi murs et portes ou pots à fleurs.

Some plants with magnificent blue flowers are impossible for us to grow because they need cool summers or frost-free winters. However, there is a wide choice of blue-flowered plants suitable for the Occitan garden and Pierre highlighted a number which have done well for him. These included several varieties of iris, salvia and agapanthus, but also rarely grown Leucophyllum langmaniae, globularia, Iochroma australe and Phacelia campanularia (Virginia bellflower).

Sont éliminés, mais montrés dans leur splendeur, les floraisons bleues à réserver pour les climats plus frais l’été ou plus tièdes l’hiver. Il reste un grand nombre de plantes pouvant apporter leur couleur bleue au jardin occitan, l’accent est mis sur les plantes dont Pierre a une bonne expérience en particulier divers Iris, les salvias bleues et les agapanthes, mais aussi sur celles trop rarement utilisées comme les Leucophyllum langmaniae, globulaires, Iochroma australe, la campanule de Virginie ou Phacelia campanularia.

Next, some very desirable and potentially acclimatisable plants were mentioned eg Pycnostachys urticifolia and Echium thyrsiflorum syn. E. gentianoides, then plants with glaucous leaves.

Next, some very desirable and potentially acclimatisable plants were mentioned eg Pycnostachys urticifolia and Echium thyrsiflorum syn. E. gentianoides, then plants with glaucous leaves.

Images taken from nature and from several large French gardens demonstrated how blue can resonate when in proximity with white, pink, yellow and orange. Next Pierre recommended books on the subject and nurseries which can supply blue-flowering plants. He also thanked the gardeners who had provided photos of plants with blue flowers.

Images taken from nature and from several large French gardens demonstrated how blue can resonate when in proximity with white, pink, yellow and orange. Next Pierre recommended books on the subject and nurseries which can supply blue-flowering plants. He also thanked the gardeners who had provided photos of plants with blue flowers.