Experience the delightful scent and vibrant yellow blooms of the mimosa, a remarkable flowering tree that can only be seen from January to March in the South of France. Join us on a journey to meet Julien Cavatore, a passionate nurseryman, producer, and collector of mimosa.
The mimosa in a few words
This member of the acacia family was imported from Australia by the French and English in the late 18th century and has since found its ideal environment in the Maures and Tanneron mountains in the South of France. It can be 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 the nurseryman’s job involve?
As a mimosa specialist, Julien works on the tree itself, and his greenhouse boasts nearly 250 different varieties of mimosas with various foliage types, including eucalyptus, olive, and purple leaves. His specialty is grafting mimosa plants, a technique that allows for a wide variety of mimosas thanks to seed banks from Australia.
How does Julien Cavatore work the mimosa?
Julien’s specialty? Mimosa grafting. A technique that requires a great deal of know-how, but which allows for the distribution of a wide variety of mimosas thanks to seed banks brought from Australia.
The acacia dealbata, the most famous of Bormes les Mimosas, is an invasive plant that grows to the detriment of local plants. Grafting the mimosa plants prevents invasive shoots. The mimosa can grow more easily especially in a calcareous soil.
It takes 24 to 26 months to produce a mimosa plant, but after that, the mimosa grows very fast. It can live up to 30 years!
Why this passion for mimosa?
Julien got his passion for mimosa from his parents, themselves former nurserymen and mimosa producers. Ten years ago, he decided to take over the family business and relocate his production to the Bormes plain. Today, he is the only mimosa producer in France.
An ecologically friendly production
Julien’s mimosa production is ecologically friendly, locally grown, and free of pesticides. As a result, he has earned the Plante Bleue and Fleurs de France labels, as well as certification from the Conservatoire des Collections Végétales Spécialisées (CCVS), which has recognized him as a “mimosa specialist.”
Can I buy mimosa plants from Cavatore Nursery?
You can buy mimosa plants from Julien’s nursery, whether you’re a private individual or a professional. Take a guided tour of the nursery along the mimosa road and discover the different varieties of mimosas that can be found in nature. And if you’re not on site, don’t worry – you can still take advantage of online sales in France and the European Union, with prices varying according to the height of the plant.
But wait, there’s more! You can also find Mediterranean plants for sale at the nursery. And for a little anecdote, if you visit the Fort of Brégançon after your visit to Cavatore Nurseries, you’ll find that the citrus fruits of the fort are produced by Julien himself.
So what are you waiting for? Come see the beauty and diversity of the mimosa flower with Julien Cavatore, the only mimosa producer in France.
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