Garden Map

Welcome to Vauville! Here’s a translation from the map to the garden with corresponding photos.

Reception - It includes tickers, plant selling, and the tea room “Le Comptoir du Jardinier.” It is also the beginning and the end of the guided tour in the garden. Here you will find information about the garden and its activities.

The Bamboo Theater - This area was designed to include a sculpture marking the center of the garden. This clearing completely isolates the visitor from the rest of the garden. The range and size of the bamboos attract the eye of the visitor to the sky.

The Northern Palm Forest - Planted over 5000m² and started in 1992, it’s the highest position in the garden and we have a nice view on the Channel which less than 300m away. This forest is well protected by bamboos and green oaks. Bright colored Rhododendrons spring away from the winds. They benefit from the shade brought by many Trachycarpus fortune and Chamerops humilis, all mixed up. Those Rhododendrons were planted in a circle in order to create a giant wreath, colored with red and pink flowers. Two new species were introduced in 2000: The Brahea (or Erythea), distinguished by big grey leaves, and the Livistonia, whose leaves are large and soft.

Like a natural forest, small clearings hold some Arbutus unedo, Ceanothus, Ferns, Eucalyptus, and Phormium tenax among others. All those species bring diversity in size, colors, and leaves of the forest. As first intended when landscaped, the path meandering through the vegetation adds to the feeling of otherness.

The Drinking Trough - First conceived for animals, this former watering place has been transformed into an ornamental pond. Flanked by many plants reflecting in the water, this peaceful place is protected from the wind. Fid trees, Olearia, Bamboos, Dwarf Bamboos, Arums, and Bergenias grow there peacefully in the sun, protected by a nice Eucalyptus. The sculpture at the end of the pond represents a lion’s head and it was drawn by Guillaume Pellerin in 1990. The water coming through the lion’s head comes from an open-air canal whilch begins two kilometers away. The drinking trough gives birth to a curved river going to the south and it gives the illusion of continuity to the stream.

The Bird Bath - This piece made of monolith granite can hold water or seeds in its central hole. The birds are quite familiar with this place dedicated to them. Around this stone, you will find Phylostachys vivax growing under a Cryptomeria japonica.

The Hydrangea Alley - Well implanted in our area, Hydrangeas grow freely. You will notice the difference in the colors, and the Hydrangea Ayesha, whose flower is close to Lilac. This area was devastated by the October 1987 storm. Pines and Eucalyptus were planted shortly thereafter. The four tall Cypress trees with their distorted branches mark the first boundary of the garden.

The path of Discovery - The story of the gardens begins with the ditches in the 1950s. The first Phormium tenax, Phyllostachys, Eucalyptus, and Blue Cedars were planted here, protected by the enclosing wall of the castle. The earlier successes on the climate reinforced the will of the family to continue their botanic gardedn with exotic and rare species. Near the garden door, you’ll find a Ginkgo biloba, the only plant that resisted the Hiroshima bomb. This tree is also called the “100 ecus plant”: it was the price Jesuit monks paid in Japan in order to bring it back to Europe.

The path of Tree Ferns - It’s a walk among plants from Australia with Grevillea rosmanifolia, Calistemon, Hoheria, and Myositidum hortensia. The main attraction is the tree fern Dicksonia antartica from Tasmania. They have now been growing for over 50 years in our garden. A Trachelospermum jasminoides hands on the wall of the dovecote. A few meters away, you will find a Stantonia expahlya whose voluptuous perfume can be smelled from at least 4 meters away. This unique plant can be found in Korea. Fushias, Silla peruviana, and Agaves finish the walk.

The Mysterious Path - Near a lantern brought specially from Japan, this strange path makes us discover unexpected vegetation. A distorted Eucalyptus, a Bamboo forest, Mahonias, Grevilleas, and Honeysuckles grow there in a sort of confusion under the shade of the Acacia parvifolia, Acacia melanohxylon, and the Camrops humilis.

The Fan Garden - You will find hundreds of orange Hemerocallis planted in a perfect curve. They are growing under the shade of a Eucalyptus, a Cistus, a Senecio, and a Hebe. When the “day lilies” are in bloom, it’s like a flower concert on a foliage stage.

The Water Garden - Like its name, here is the kingdom of aquatic plants. The plants are protected by a thick hedge of Gynerium cortaderia, where thousands of white feather dusters bloom in September. Iris of Kampfer, Polystichums americanum, arums, and the rare Osmonde royale (a fern protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral) grow freely on tiny islands in the center of the pond. This walk around the two ponds makes us discover some Euphorbes graffiti, some Wulfenii, and sone Ophiopogons with their unique black foliage. The scenery is unique as we see the garde, the sea, and the ever-changing moor. Beyond the sea, you can have a glimpse of the cliffs of the “Nez de Jobourg” to the Northwest. If the weather is clear on the bay, you will observe the islands of Jersey, Serk and Aurigny.

Zen Garden - The room of this romantic garden is formed by huge Eucalyptus, pruned and preserved although they have been damaged by the storm of 1987. The center of this garden is a square pond framed by tree peonies, Camelia sinensis, and Phlomis fructicosa sheltered by a hedge of Camelia Sasanqua. A stome table and its round bench welcome those who are looking for peace and meditation with a view of the south side of the castle through the branches.

The Half Moon - The Half Moon is a two-level garden, planted with Berchoneria, Fatsia japonica, and yellow Calceolaria. Some Convolvus cneorum are mixed with some Myrtus Chequen and some Cordyline australis. This place used to be a field where people dried their clothes.

The Blue Vault - Nature had to adapt after the 1987 storm. Bent almost to the ground, these Eucalyptus were tutored, pruned, and found a new position that formed a new and beautiful blueish archway.

The Exotic Garden - This part of the garden is the hottest and most protected place of the whole garden. The former kitchen garden’s wall is exposed to the South and we have a few more degrees of warmth. This place is completely surrounded by perfumed Geista. In this place, we have planted rare and exotic plants which would not grow elsewhere in the garden. Proteas, Raphiolepis indica, Echium piniana, Romneya coulteri, Pelargonium, and Carpenteria California grow protected from wind, rain, and snow. Two very rare species planted 40 years ago: The Colletia cruciata and the Colletia spinosa, which are now reaching an incredible size.

The Open Space - When you reach this place, the first thing you will appreciate is the sea’s view. Then you’ll notice the western wind and the cool sea breeze. We leave this open space free of plants in order to make it the lung of the whole garden. When looking at the sea, you’ll find some Gunnera manicata and orange Hemerocallis on your left. Down on your right, you will view the Southern Palm Forest. And completely on your right, you’ll find blue Agapanthus, Nepetas, Yuccas, Cordyline australis, and some Phormium tenax.

The Southern Palm Forest - Palm trees and Cordylines are in the front line facing the wind and sprays. Enjoying the protection of the forest, Clistemons, young Eucalyptus, Cordyline indivisa, and Phormiums have been planted tightly together in order to protect themselves. They are now growing in harmony. The variety of plants and species dazzle the visitor.

The Gunnera Pond - About 60 meters long, this two-level pond is bordered by Gunnera manicata. Their leaves can reach an incredible size. You’ll notice the lion’s head which weighs more than 1.5 toms and was drawn by Guillaume Pellerin. The same architect did a perspective effect in this pond by making a small inclination. We then have the impression that the pond is long and deep.