The Flower Market: The Mimosa

Last Autumn at Parc Phoenix I looked around an exhibition called The Invaders featuring the indigenous plant and animal wildlife that's been put at risk by the invasion of vigorous strains from elsewhere. The mimosa was one of them. Because it's a particularly resistant tree it takes hold in the dry conditions here and thrives thus marginalising more fragile plants. To the west of Cannes in the Tanneron there are forests of Mimosa gloriously yellow in the late Winter sunshine complete with notices warning not to pick; they're reserved for florists.

Blue and Yellow

Yes, I know it could be anywhere so I'm afraid you'll have to take my word that this is a mimosa nicoise. It was hanging over a wall in suburban Nice and I snapped it as I passed mainly for Ming who hasn't seen a mimosa tree.

I loved the vibrant yellow against the blue, two colours that are always associated with Provence.

I haven't edited the photo; the sky really was that blue today, a nice change after the cold.