The mimosa
The Route du Mimosa stretches 130 km from Bormes-Les-Mimosas to Grasse in the exceptional region of the Côte d'Azur. This winter tourist itinerary covering the period from January to March offers a unique experience of the Côte d'Azur in winter.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Around 1880, the mimosa, originally from Australia, appeared on the slopes of the Croix des Gardes in Cannes, probably introduced by one of its renowned winter guests, such as the Duke of Vallombrosa, the Marquis de Morès or Lord Brougham. The Société d'Horticulture et d'Acclimatation (Society of Horticulture and Acclimatisation) made a major contribution to its promotion. From then on, the number of mimosa growers in the region began to multiply, in Mandelieu, Pégomas, Tanneron and La Roquette. From the railway stations in Cannes and Mandelieu, the mimosa is shipped to every major town and city in France and Europe.
A LITTLE BOTANY
The mimosa belongs to the genus Acacia and to the order Mimosae. The different species are used for a wide variety of purposes, such as cut flowers, ornamental or rock garden plants, defensive hedges or windbreaks, in addition to sand and soil retention. It is grown mainly in southern Australia, South Africa and France. 800 species have been listed and 1,200 species are thought to exist.
SOME VARIETIES
- GAULOIS (ACACIA DEALBATA)
A large, very vigorous tree with dark green foliage. Bipinnate divided leaves. Abundant flowering (sulphur yellow) emerging largely from the foliage from late January to March. - TOURNAIRE (ACACIA DEALBATA)
Medium development. The leaves are short, compact and dark green. Young shoots have red wood. Early flowering from late December to January. Flowers in long, upright clusters of brilliant pure yellow. - MIRANDOLE (ACACIA DEALBATA)
Great development. Large, light green, bipinnate leaves. Blooms in large clusters of brilliant pure yellow from late December to February. For large gardens only. - BON ACCUEIL (ACACIA DECURRENS)
Medium-sized tree. Yellow, angular branches. Beautiful green pinnate leaves. Leaflets spaced apart. Flowers in large clusters that protrude from the foliage. Very large, very fragrant seeds. Flowers from January to February. Large garden. - ASTIER (DEALBATA GAULOIS ASTIER)
The mimosa varieties least affected by the cold, such as 'Gaulois Astier', can withstand temperatures as low as -8/-10°C without damage, if care is taken in regions with mild winters to give them every opportunity to adapt. - MIMOSA DES 4 SAISONS (ACACIA RETINODES)
It is one of the mimosa varieties most resistant to the cold (able to withstand temperatures as low as -9°C to -10°C). Flowers in spring and summer. Monsieur Blanc, the last producer of this 4-season mimosa, is located in Tanneron.
THE MIMOSA BETWEEN NATURE & CULTURE !
Favoured by a mild climate and exceptional light, a whole host of plants and flowers grow in profusion on the Côte d'Azur. It's in winter that the region offers its most beautiful surprise to visitors, a voluptuous outburst of gold and light: the blossoming of the mimosa. From the Corniche des Maures to the Massif du Tanneron and the Estérel, slopes, hills and gardens are covered in downy flowers. To follow the Route du Mimosa is to enjoy a unique experience and an explosion of colours and scents.
EXCEPTIONAL GARDENS...
Exceptional gardens invite you to discover both Mediterranean species as well as travel the world. Landscapes from Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Australia and collections of mimosa are all on display... Some enchanting places: The Parc Gonzalez in Bormes-Les-Mimosas, the Domaine du Rayol in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, the Jardin Botanique des Myrtes in Sainte-Maxime, the Jardin des Mimosas in Pégomas and the Gardens of the Musée International de la Parfumerie in Grasse.
NATURE WALKS AND HIKES...
The mimosa, the pine, the olive tree... these are just some of the species that make up the landscape of the Côte d'Azur mountain ranges. But they are the result of a long journey. The "Route d'Or", which winds through the largest mimosa forest in Europe, the Maures and Estérel Massifs and the Corniche d'Or offer sublime landscapes, from the deep blue of the sea to the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, and a thousand and one points of interest to discover on your own or with a guide. The mimosa between nature and CULTURE!
THE MIMOSA, A STORY OF HUMANITY...
In Bormes-Les-Mimosas, the mimosa is grown exclusively in pots by Julien Cavatore, who is passionate about producing this variety of acacia. It is the only nursery in France to have a collection approved by the Conservatoire des Collections Végétales Spécialisées (Conservatory of Specialist Plant Collections), comprising 180 species and varieties of mimosa, exported throughout Europe. As for mimosa growers, they are mainly based around the Massif du Tanneron in an area known as the "Golden Triangle" (Mandelieu-La Napoule, Tanneron and Pégomas). Their professional activity is mainly focused on growing mimosa for cut flowers. The mimosa owes its commercialisation to the "forcing" technique. This process is carried out in a closed room, maintaining a temperature of 25°C and a hydrometry of 85. A special powder called "Chrystal" is added to help the flower bloom and preserve it.
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