Come with me to @patrickallain.fleurs for mimosa! The flowers just arrived yesterday from the south of France. It is one of my favorite flowers in France, and their bright yellow and lightly fragrant flowers bring promises of the spring to come. I also believe that plants in your home are an act of self-care – they bring so much happiness to your space.
Also known as wattle in other parts of the world, the tree is native to Australia and Tasmania. Mimosa was introduced to Europe following Captain Cook’s first voyage aboard the Endeavor (August 1768–July 1771). Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, two botanists on board, brought flowering branches back to England from Australia.
Next, the mimosa made its way to Europe via the French navigator Nicolas Baudin. The wattle arrived between 1800 and 1804 in France, where they were acclimatized in the gardens of the Château de Malmaison, then the residence of Joséphine de Beauharnais. The mimosa was planted in the 19th century for the production of cut flowers on the Côte d’Azur, which offers a favorable climate for its development, thanks to the region’s sunshine and the rarity of frosts.
A legend in France says that the mimosa blooms in winter because it remembers its flowering date in Australia. In fact, it blooms there in September (period corresponding to spring in the southern hemisphere), and the first of September is “Wattle Day.”
@patrickallain.fleurs has been open since 1981. Passionate about flowers and their incredible richness and variety, this adorable floral shop is tucked into the center of Île Saint-Louis, located in the Hôtel de Chenizot at 51, rue Saint-Louis en l’Île.
In this video, you will see my friend Carole, who has welcomed all visitors and locals alike since the beginning of her post – she is an essential florist and anchor in the district!
P.S. Can you find Pearl in the final image?
Bisous and big hugs from Paris,
Shannon, Pearl, and Rose.