This year, I don’t really feel like saying that we went to the Chantilly Plant Fair. It would be more accurate to say that we survived it! I’m not quite sure what came over us, because we decided to go twice during this heatwave: first one evening to collect some fertiliser we had ordered, and then again the entire following day so that we could enjoy the event at a more leisurely pace.
Going at the end of the day was actually rather pleasant, as many visitors were already leaving. I took the opportunity to browse the stalls at my own pace and without being overwhelmed by the heat (which was definitely not the case the next day). One advantage is that, since the house is nearby, we wander around in familiar surroundings without constantly thinking about having to leave early (unlike the Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard Plant Fair, where you have to set off quite early anyway, only to end up stuck in traffic). We usually attend plant fairs first thing in the morning, so going in the evening here in Chantilly also gave us the chance to have proper conversations with the nursery owners. They had a little more time to spare and were generous with advice, which is always worth hearing. This was one of the hottest editions I can remember, and I do regret that it took place quite so late in the season, at least from a planting perspective.
What struck me most was the sheer number of Cornus on display at almost every stand. Then again, that makes perfect sense, as they flower at this time of year and it’s the ideal moment to appreciate the colours of the different varieties. It worked out particularly well because we had come with one goal in mind: finding a dogwood for the garden. We spent a long time hesitating between a Cornus kousa ‘Florida’, a Cornus ‘Beni Fuji’, and a Cornus kousa ‘Scarlet Fire’, and in the end it was the latter that stole our hearts. It really is a little beauty, with intensely vibrant petals in a rich magenta-pink shade. Rather than planting it directly in the garden, I think we’re going to choose a beautiful blue-green pot to show it off properly and enjoy it both on the terrace and from the kitchen.
As for garden accessories, I was surprised by how much basketry there was. As someone who adores baskets, it was lovely to see so many and to realise that these traditional skills are still being passed on. I would also have liked to see more craftspeople specialising in trellises, as I need one or two myself, though not the standard versions you find in garden centres.
There were far more people on the second day, and it was truly sweltering, so we took everything at a very slow pace. A well-deserved break was in order, with strawberries from the farm served alongside the famous homemade Chantilly cream (the only real one, which can only be enjoyed on the estate itself. There is, admittedly, a tearoom dedicated to the famous whipped cream in the town of Chantilly, but when I visited shortly after it opened, I found neither the same texture nor the same flavour as the version served at the château).
The stroll continued with admiration for the sumptuous floral arrangements created by Isabelle Godet, a local florist and true artist whom I had the pleasure of discovering a few years ago during the Rose Days at Chaalis. We also made a small detour not far from the château to buy a pair of linen trousers in a lovely linden-green shade from Au Fil des Pièces (an entirely unplanned purchase, but one that felt rather good), not forgetting all the flower stalls run by remarkably brave people considering the weather. I do slightly regret not bringing home a few salvias and cosmos, but never mind: I wouldn’t have had time to plant them anyway!
To conclude, I wanted to share a wonderful discovery: landscape architect Alexandre Phélip, who was presenting a magnificent temporary garden in soft tones, mainly composed of fresh greens, white, and blue. If I understood correctly, it was a collaboration with Cordélia de Castellane. We briefly met him while he was watering the garden, and he proved to be charming and generous with his time, sharing the names of several plants we didn’t know. Of course, this was an ephemeral garden designed specifically for the event, but the little dreamlike world he created certainly provides inspiration for designing a space that comes into its own at this time of year.
I would strongly encourage you to take plenty of photographs whenever you attend plant fairs, and always carry a notebook in which to jot down advice and staple or glue in the business cards that catch your interest. I also keep all this precious information in the notes app on my phone, but I still prefer the paper version. Somehow, it helps me remember things better!
