Well known for its smell and yellow color, it is only visible between January and March in the south of France and still attracts as many people with its remarkable pompoms... it is indeed the mimosa! We went to meet Julien Cavatore, nurseryman, producer and collector of mimosa.
Mimosa in a few words
Imported from Australia by the French and the English at the end of the 18th century, the mimosa, from the acacia family, has managed to make its place in the south of France. Indeed, it has found in the Maures and Tanneron massifs, the same climatic conditions as its country of origin, conducive to its development.
They are found in the wild wherever the climate is mild and the soil is acidic. There are more than 1200 varieties of mimosa in the world!
What does a nurseryman’s job involve?
The nurseryman works with the tree, unlike the mimosa grower who works with cut flowers. A mimosa specialist, Julien's greenhouse has nearly 250 varieties of mimosas with different foliage types such as eucalyptus, olive, or even purple leaves.
How does Julien Cavatore work with mimosa?
Julien's specialty? Mimosa grafting. A technique that requires great know-how but which allows a wide variety of mimosas to be spread thanks to seed banks from Australia.
The acacia dealbata, the best known of Bormes les Mimosas, is an invasive plant that grows to the detriment of local plants. Grafting mimosa plants prevents invasive shoots. Mimosa can grow more easily, especially in calcareous soil.
The time to make the mimosa plant takes between 24 to 26 months but then the mimosa grows very quickly. Its lifespan can be up to 30 years!
Why this passion for mimosa?
Julien inherited his passion for mimosa from his parents, who were themselves former nurserymen and mimosa producers. 10 years ago, he decided to take over the family business and relocated his production to the Bormes plain. Today, he is the only mimosa producer in France.
Eco-friendly production
Local, pesticide-free and environmentally friendly production has allowed Julien to obtain the Plante Bleue and Fleurs de France labels and to be certified by the CCVS (Conservatory of Specialized Plant Collections) which awarded him the “mimosa specialist” prize.
Can you buy mimosa plants at the Cavatore Nursery?
Whether you are an individual or a professional, you can buy mimosa plants from Julien!
On the mimosa route, enjoy a guided group tour of the nursery and discover the different varieties that you can find in nature.
You are not there? Take advantage of the online sale in France and in the European Union set up on their website! The prices of mimosas vary according to the height.
You can also find Mediterranean plants for sale. As a little anecdote, if you visit the Fort de Brégançon after your visit to the Cavatore Nurseries, you will know that the Fort citrus fruits are produced by Julien and his 3 employees!
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