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's a stroll above the Avenue Daumesnil. I say above, because the park is the Promenade Plantée, a disused railway viaduct converted to an elevated walkway awash with trees and bushes, and planters full of flowers.It's very busy with promenaders

completely different foodplants. Butterflies in the spring emergence lay their eggs on holly and their caterpillars feed on the developing buds. When these insects reach adulthood in late-summer they lay their eggs on ivy flower buds. At least

sheltered area, then there are a couple of exotic trees that are truly spectacular. The silk tree (Albizia julibrissin f. rosea) has large pinnate leaves and flowers like pink starbursts.Also, Weinmannia trichosperma, which is a Chilean evergreen with fern

again, hoping 'Emir' lives up to its catalogue description (though to be on the safe side I'm keeping two melon plants a little snugger in my greenhouse). So far, so good, and flowers are developing well. Now all I need is to cross-pollinate them

Loudon.Some books are great favourites which I consult almost every day and without which I would feel bereft. Not just invaluable reference books like the RHS Encyclopaedias and the more opinionated Christopher Lloyd's Garden Flowers, but others which I

is so extremely laid back and relaxed.In this garden there isn't much really urgent work that needs to be done. Many plants have done their bit and are just hanging around waiting for the winter; those that are still flowering do so with an admirable air

, where three varieties grow on a single tree. Flowering at the same time they'll pollinate each another, hopefully ensuring a good crop. Only two apples on my young tree this year, but I'll enjoy every mouthful!

it has run a bit wild and it's a dumping ground for flower pots, buckets, pieces of wood that I once thought could be potentially useful for some reason, mildly interesting boulders found on family walks and all not very well hidden by a brightly coloured