The ornamental garden of the château de Villandry in the Loire. The tulips
– a blaze of colour between each topiary hedge – are nearly finished,
and will soon be replaced with summer plantings from the château’s
cold frames and greenhouses.
While visiting, we noted the names of plants, collecting ideas for our
more modest garden – there are many varieties I had never seen, on display
in the ‘sun garden’, on a terrace above the majestic water basins, fountains
and lawns.
Tender love: hearts and flames
Fleur de lys
Each Renaissance design is themed in the ‘love garden’: from tender to
passionate love, to fickle or tragic love. Many symbols of significance
are hidden in the intricate tapestry of formal squares, while fleur de
lys patterns line the moat – its waters filled with carp, and a solitary
white swan.
The decorative potager
The decorative Renaissance kitchen garden, influenced by monastic gardens
from the Middle Ages, combines Italian inspired flourishes, in the form of
fountains, arbours and square flower beds. Roses and alternating red and
green leafy vegetables add to its symmetry, creating a chequerboard effect.
Panier of Plenty 
What an inspirational place!! Majestic and so perfect! Love it!! Perhaps some ideas for Mesara ? 😉
A little project for Jason, sure he will be thrilled when you show him the design (:
I’ve always had a thing for formal gardens. These look lovely. I’ve spent time in Versailles where my sister lives. I can never get enough time in those gardens.
Hello Kate, they are very intricate and inspiring, you are lucky to vist Versailles often,
I hope you get to see Villandry one day.
So many gardens, so little time! Here’s one way to see a variety of gardens in a short period of time, and from a different perspective as well. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2402389.Gardens_from_the_Air