It would be wonderful to visit a place where jasmine grows profusely and in such variety. I too love the scent. We are about to move the potted jasmines into Cuxa Cloister, which has been glassed-in now that the weather is getting colder, where we can enjoy them for a few weeks more.

The photograph of the jasmine flower used in this article, is called ‘ jaadi malli’ in Tamil and grows profusely in South India. The fragrance of this flower is divine and the flower is used as floral offering to the Gods and also as a personal adornment. There are several varieties, one with reddish colour on the outside of the petals and one with an extremely long stamen. The leaves are dark green and it is a climber.

I personally love the heady fragrance as also the fragrance of the other varieties of the jasmine - ‘gundu malli’, ‘mullai’ iruvakshi’ and others.

We do intend to post some information on medieval orchard fruits this autumn, as the lady apples, pears, medlars and quince in the collection ripen. Although the mature espaliered pear (now more than seventy years old) growing in Bonnefont Cloister is a famous and beloved feature of the garden, true espalier is not a medieval practice. The technique (in which an apple, pear, plum, apricot, or other fruit tree in the Rose family is trained flat against a wall to provide the ripening fruit with additional warmth and light) was developed during the 16th and 17th centuries, a period of innovation and experiment in fruit culture throughout Europe.

I hope that future writings may reveal more about espaliered fruit trees, origins, some idea of how widespread their cultivation may have been and, of course their reflection in art.

Thank you for this civilized addition.