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Who Are We?
Who Are We?
My name is Katya. I am Russian-American and I am just starting my journey in the world of botany and horticulture. Originally I am an illustrator and animator, and have worked most of my young life in the world of cinema.
My business partner’s name is Bernard. He is French and is a veteran gardener, highly knowledgeable in botany and horticulture. He owns and runs Jardins du Gué, which is a place that all should see once, or at least twice. It is located in Lhoumois, in the heart of the Deux-Sèvres. Though he has also lived more than one life and has many tricks up his sleeve.
The plant nursery idea has come together at the end of 2023. Bernard’s expertise and counsel and my desire to bring to the table a nursery that proposes plants that are both sustainable and beautiful have come together to form plant d’Avenir.
A nursery for a changing climate.
Why this Selection?
Our plants are highly drought-tolerant and disease-resistant.
They are all grown outside (slug and snail permitting) to increase their resilience and foster an adaptability in the very early stages of their development. They are not treated with chemicals nor with fertilizers – just air, water, breeze and, in 2024, lots of rain…
But each plant has been chosen not only for their general resilience, but also for their graphic beauty.
The unique silhouettes and shapes of our plants make them ideal as solitary pieces, as a complement to vase bought and then long forgotten or as a centerpiece for a dinner party.
The species range from ice plants particularly adapted to water stress conditions, to Mediterranean plants and rocky mountain species that have evolved to live under a blazing sun, to plants that have developped specialized root systems to spread quickly in search of water.
Artemisia, Erigeron, Crassulae, Sedum, Echinops – the variety is determined by their graphic beauty and their ability to bring a little life and color to your homes.
Why Buy Our Plants?
All our plants are cultivated in either 9x9cm pots or 2L pots.
Smaller plants tend to establish more easily, improving their chances of thriving in a new setting.
Larger plants tend to be fuller, more branched and bushy – ideal for a more ‘finished’ look if you are looking for something to fill a large pot or an indoor planter and look good next week.
Our soil mix is composed of Klasmann 94 soil (soil/peat mix) and sand. The only fertilization comes from a dilution of compost tea, extracted weekly from our vermicomposter.
We prefer to let nature take its course rather than resorting to chemical control.
All our plants are repotted every year, reducing the chance of rootballs and illnesses. Loosening the root ball before planting is a common mistake — the active roots grow along the edges.
All our plants are grown from seed or cuttings or propagated by division in our nursery. At a time when a vast majority of plants sold in France — especially online — are produced in foreign countries (such as the Netherlands, Italy, or Spain) for a fraction of the cost, we believe that it is important to provide context, quality and value on a local level.
By purchasing our plants, you are:
Supporting local businesses
Helping to protect jobs, for us and for future generations
Preserving our ecosystems as you choose to support a vision of gardening that will align with the challenges of a changing climate
If you are ever keen to visit, let us know, we would be happy to give you a tour!
Is there a bigger picture?
Of course!
At the heart of plant d’Avenir is a commitment to a style of gardening and plant care that reduces water consumption and increases biodiversity, whether in a large garden in the countryside or on a balcony in the center of the city.
As the impacts of climate change are beginning to be felt in Europe and around the world and quotas on water are placed over the summers, plants that are very thirsty (the tropical plants in particular) will have difficulty thriving.
But the answer is not to stop loving plants!
Plants make people happy!
But introducing water-wise, drought-tolerant stunners to your balcony, windowsill, garden will allow for your garden to stay green even in the heat waves.
And as the future becomes more and more uncertain, what we certainly don’t want is more wilting and scorched leaves in our homes.
If you are uncertain about how or where to begin, don’t worry!
We will be offering starter packs and garden designs as we move forward – so sign up for our newsletter and stay tuned 🙂
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