Mauvaise Herbe!

The French equivalent of the Chelsea Flower show is the annual international garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire, in the centre of the Loire Valley. In contrast to the hustle and bustle of the week long Chelsea the Chaumont festival lingers on from May to October. The result is a much less crowded atmosphere in which to experience 25 show gardens, an experimental garden, a children's garden, trails through mysterious structures and a fine Chateau all set in extensive parkland.

This year's festival theme "Mauvaise herb" or Weed inspired a truly eclectic range of garden exhibits from giant spoons to caged roses. While some captured the charm of a chaotic cottage garden others looked like they needed a good going over with the rake. One of the most bizarre gardens was one entitled "Les Kuijers" featuring a large piece of turf peeled back to reveal thousands of shiny spoons. Its accompanying fable told of a solitary spoon left behind after a picnic that goes on to propagate itself under the grass. The moral? Pick up after yourself? Or perhaps a more philosophical take on the old "one years weeding saves seven years seeding"? Confused as I was about the overall message I couldn't help but be impressed by the spectacle of so many shiny utensils peeping out of the earth.

The festival explored the uses and definitions of a weed, the ethics of GM and even the value of ecological processes such a land abandonment and re-colonisation. However you can engage with the festival at whatever level you choose. I found some impressive attention to detail in the shop with a range of nettle products and icecream made from prickly pears (currently enjoying a reputation as one of the world's worst weeds). Here, I felt was the perfect opportunity to contribute to weed management.

Chaumont-sur- Loire is situated between Tours and Blois, you can drive or take the train from Tours to Onzain on the Tours – Paris Line. The Chateau is on top of a hill and about a 25 minute walk from Onzain Station. The Festival costs 8 Euros for an individual and runs until 19th of October.

Chaumont Jardins Website http://www.chaumont-jardins.com