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The Loire Valley in Central France is plate to some of the most beautiful chateaux and garden in the world . But Domaine de Chaumont - Sur - Loire “ is not your distinctive chateau garden , ” say director of communications and marketing , Leighton Gough . Since 1992 , the historic chateau has hosted theInternational Garden Festival , a showcase of 29 display gardens full of creativity , good luck charm , beauty , humor and most of all , surprise . Each twelvemonth , the gardens nestled within the sweeping , flower - fulfil landscape painting surrounding the brow castle are chosen for their pep up interpretations of the show ’s theme , which change every year . “ You ca n’t be world-weary ! ” says straits gardener Gérard Dosba , who bring a manus when needed to the interior designer who arrive to ramp up their gardens each spring .
On the earth of the historical Chateau de Chaumont - Sur - Loire , you ’ll find swathes of blue - flowered delimitation and glorious ancient trees . Photo by : Lorraine Flanigan .
landscape painting designers have interpret the “ collector ’ Gardens ” theme of 2015 in various path , from the adventurous travels of the expectant plant hunter and collectors of the reality to the realm of myth , art and culture . From the tanneries of Marrakech , the “ Dyer ’s Garden ” features skeins of colored yarn suspend over the plant that contribute them their hue . In the “ Garden of Orpheus ” a thorny collection of cacti and succulents flanks a pedestrian bridge that slopes up to tender idyllic prospect of the Loire River . Drawing from legends of the four - leaf clover , “ Lucky Charm ” pays testimonial to the many species of trefoil , purported in various multiplication to have been taken by Eve from the Garden of Eden and used as a snake in the grass bite therapeutic in Roman times .
In the Dyer ’s Garden , skein of anil gloomy , Rubia tinctorum Red River and broom yellow yarn hang above the plants that lend them their vibrantly natural color . exposure by : Lorraine Flanigan .
In many of the display gardens , veg and edible crop bristle , from the wild abundance of table mustard , chicory and Cynara cardunculus that grow in the “ Can a Rarity Be Eaten ” installing to “ À Table ” where heirloom variety are laid out under curious lanterns concur other - worldly carnivorous flora . South African couturier Leon Kluge ’s “ African Kitchen ” pay court to Kruger Park where he grew up , and includes handwoven baobab Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree made of willow tree , dried protea ejaculate head word and calabash fruit - plants that are essential foods to the local tribes .
Hand - woven willow baobab trees bow in greeting in Leon Kluge ’s " African Kitchen " garden . Photo by : Lorraine Flanigan .
Along with these are garden brim with collection of softly scented geranium , billow bougainvillea and a glasshouse that shelters a rareVictoria amazonicawaterlily .
Carre et Rond , created by Yu Kongjian , is a ribbon of bolshy that run through the Chinese garden , part of the permanent installation in the chateau ’s Parc du Goualoup . Photo by : Lorraine Flanigan .
Open - air plant galleries are boast in two of the 2015 gardens : the ikon - perfect “ Nuances ” frame flap upon wave of blue - hued plants while “ Reflections of a Collector ” plays with mirror to create an Alice - in - Wonderland cosmos of plant picture .
The chateau ’s stables , kitchens and chapel serve as galleries for nature - inspired art , such as this installation that habituate flora tuck from the earth of the chateau . photograph by : Lorraine Flanigan .
No matter what year you travel to the International Garden Festival , surprise , delight and thought process - stimulate exhibit challenge you to stretch your imagination and happen breathing in in all the correct place .
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fix : Chaumont - Sur - Loire , between Blois and Tours , FranceOpen : April through OctoberFeatures :
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