What are mimosas?
It's a shrub from the mimosoid family (which includes many colors other than yellow). It can reach 25 meters in height, but is usually around 8 meters. This season's favorite is the "florist's mimosa", known to botanists as Acacia Dealbata. It blooms in February and March , and is a popular addition to flower bouquets thanks to its warm, bright yellow color.
Mimosas bloom in February-March. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.Com: Dan74 via depositphotos.
Where do mimosas come from?
Explorer Nicolas BAUDIN, who brought back the first Mimosa plants. Image selected by monsieurdefrance.Com via Gallica.fr/ BNF.
From Australia. It was discovered by Captain COOK, the British explorer, during his travels and he brought back a few sprigs. The French came later. In 1801, sailor and explorer Nicolas BAUDIN (1754-1803) brought back the first plants , which were presented to Empress Josephine de BEAUHARNAIS, wife of Emperor Napoleon I and a plant enthusiast. She had them acclimatized in her home: the Château de la Malmaison, not far from Paris.
The gardens of the Château de la Malmaison, where the first Mimosa plants were acclimatized. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance: packshot via depositphotos.
In the mid-19th century, it was also planted on the Côte d'Azur, where it thrives in poor soil and virtually no frost. It became the ornamental plant of Côte d'Azur villas and hotels. In fact, it gave its name to Bormes les Mimosas, in the Var region. At the time, France was both a producer and exporter, notably to America and even Japan. Today, it is far behind the leading producer, the United States (700,000 tons), with a dozen farms producing around 90 tons of mimosas a year.
Mimosas in perfume
It's also used in perfumery. In fact, it was first used in Grasse, the French perfume capital. It is used as a "modifier" for rose and jasmine. Its fragrance is very subtle.
The emblematic mimosa
Botanical plate describing the mimosa. Image selected by monsieurdefrance.Com via Gallica.bnf;fr / BNF.
It is planted at the Foire Grasse in Lunéville, Lorraine, which takes place in February. It's also a plant that symbolizes emotional security, in the language of flowers, which is why it's sometimes given on Grandmother's Day. It also symbolizes discreet love. In Italy, it's the flower of International Women's Rights Day.
How to plant mimosa.
First of all, beware, it's very invasive . There are even campaigns to uproot wild mimosa plants. Next, it needs dry, well-drained soil with good drainage, and must be sheltered from the wind. The best place to plant it is along a wall, and it fears frosts (below -7°C).
