Ecole du Bon Gout: Topiaries from down to up???

Chers Amis de L'Ecole du Bon Gout!! Bonjour d'Uzes!! When I arrived here two weeks ago, I knew I wanted to get the courtyard replanted before the marathon of April through May shopping and restoration of the goods began!

Of all the plants I have tried in my court yard, "English Ivy" ( Hedera helix) seemed to prosper the best. It is a native to most all of Europe and western Asia, and here in France it is called "Lierre". You find ancient specimens growing in our local valley with trunks as big as six inches in diameter! But I wanted topiaries, svp!!!

Seeing some great looking ivy hanging baskets at a local florist, an idea was spawned ! Like the "wheel of fortune", what is down can soon be up! Next from a plant store in Nimes, called Truffaut , which has a truly staggering selection of plants ranging from enormous 500+ year old olive trees to miniature petunias, (both conveniently sold in pots, svp), I acquired some metal forms to which I added additional wire spirals. Next the hanging baskets were planted, and after separating them to their various single vines, it was very easy to entwine them up the cone starting with the longest first, which reached just short of the top. The individual leaves were a bit confused after their "down to up" transformation, but after only two days they were perfectly oriented to the sun and very happy! These topiaries were planted in 19th c vase Anduse which have the ability to make even the humblest species of plant like this "English Ivy", into a presentation of total "bon gout"!!

If you happen to need some vase Anduse for your topiary project, there is an assembled set of four 19th c vases, sold in pairs, available now at Au Vieux Paris Antiques ( 337 332 2852 or www.auvieuxparisantiques.com ). Just like the "wheel of fortune", if your spirits are a bit "down", you will certainly bring them "up" if you are inspired to do some topiaries of your very own creation !!!

Cordialement, Robert E. Smith