KALÉIDOSCOPE DE DAHLIAS & DE BULBES AVEC LES CONSEILS D’UN CRÉATEUR DE VARIÉTÉS (Saga Chantilly N°9)

As a preview of the Chantilly Plant Days, which bring together over a hundred horticultural and nursery professionals every spring and fall, NewsJardinTV editor-in-chief Patrick Mioulane welcomes Matthieu Velé, director of the Ernest Turc company, which, 110 years after its founding, is still a producer and creator of flower bulb varieties. Together, they present these magnificent plants in front of the majestic Château de Chantilly, steeped in eight centuries of history. Our two experts begin by presenting a few species of spring-flowering bulbs (which are planted in the fall). Matthieu's favorite is Allium (ornamental onion), a very striking plant with a fairly late flowering period (May–June) that comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. These superb flowers are also excellent for bouquets and can even be dried. Patrick's favorite is daffodils because of their ability to naturalize and therefore return each year without any care. The fritillary is mentioned for its supposed "mole-repellent" effect, which is far from proven (the professionals at Ets Ernest Turc have conducted inconclusive tests), but the flower is superb. May is the ideal time to plant summer-flowering bulbs and tubers. Ets Ernest Turc specializes mainly in dahlias, but also in cannas and alstroemeria. The tubers can be purchased dormant, and as soon as they've been watered, they will sprout and flower three months later. Choose tubers that are very turgid and hard to the touch, as they ensure you've retained all their reserves. Patrick has noticed that recent dahlia creations seem increasingly hardy. This is the reality, and Matthieu recommends leaving the tubers in the ground at the end of the season and protecting them with a good layer of mulch. Every year, Ets Ernest Turc presents around ten of their new creations. A dahlia variety has an average lifespan of 30 years. But after 4 to 5 years in a garden, it's a good idea to renew the dahlias. Patrick and Matthieu review several new varieties in the different dahlia categories: the decorative 'Terra Botanica' with purple, almost black foliage and red flowers; the lace 'Éclair' with very graphic pink flowers with a yellow center; the pompom 'Éclaireur' with a delicate mauve and white pastel effect; and the compact white 'Montreuil' bush dahlia, which can be grown in pots. It produces up to 90 flowers in a single season. Single-flowered dahlias have been the focus of much development at Ets Ernest Turc over the past 10 years. There is now a wide range of color shades (around twenty varieties) that offer the advantage of a very long and abundant flowering period, excellent hardiness, and also the ability to attract pollinators. With its exotic appearance, opulence, and varied colors, Canna deserves to be more present in amateur gardens. Ets Ernest Turc creates canna varieties, working with both the flower and the foliage, which can be very graphic and beautifully colored. Matthieu Velé emphasizes that more than 500 varieties in his catalog are produced in France (Manosque tulips, alliums, irises, grape hyacinths grown in Brittany, dahlias and cannas in Anjou). They also bear the "Fleurs de France" logo. The report ends with a presentation of "ready-to-plant" plants, large clumps of agapanthus or irises that simply need to be planted in the ground (or in a container) for 100% results and an immediate decorative effect. Thank you for following NewsJardinTV and enjoying our programs. Our channel offers more than 1,350 videos designed to provide you with a pleasant experience, share wonderful discoveries, and help you advance your botanical and gardening knowledge. And since you love plants, nature, and gardens, don't miss our daily show "Le Quotidien du jardin" (The Garden Daily). It's every evening starting at 7 p.m. on NewsJardinTV and nowhere else!