Situated in Saint-Denis, the garden is named after a delicate Indian flower, the thunbergia mysorensis: it looks like a charming little orange slipper when it is placed horizontally.  Besides, it is also known as the Cinderella's slipper.      

It's one of the 450 recorded species in this majestic garden of 3000 m2.  However, the garden has not always been so wide.  It's history begins in 1935.  At that time, there were only trees such as the casuarinas. 

But, being lovers of beautiful plants, the owners gradually bring various species from their trips.  The creation of the garden is much easier than in the eighties since the area of La Montagne in Saint-Denis, finally has the running water.           

Each part of the garden is dedicated to a category of flowers: there are those which enjoy the shade and humidity, others the bright light of the sun.  None is similar to another: according to the owner, Odette Roche, each flower has to some extent, its own character.    

"Are you going to the ball?"

The arum lilies strut over the grass carpets here.  "It's the ballroom of Cinderella" states the owner.  A little further down is the kitchen along with the spices. 

This leaf looks like a tie.  "Sometimes, I ask the visitors: are you going to the ball tonight? If they reply yes, I give them this tie."

Whilst going back, won over by the romanticism ambient, one may think that, perhaps, somewhere in the middle of this garden, a young and beautiful pumpkin awaits a lovely sunshine to transform itself into a carriage.   

Text and Photos:
Laura BASSETTI
January 2008