The Flowering of Mimosa in Tanneron, Pays de Fayence

The mimosa is mainly grown in southern Australia, South Africa and southern France.
800 species have been recorded, but 1,200 species are thought to exist.

History:
Around 1800, the mimosa, originally from Australia, made its appearance on the slopes of the Croix des Gardes, in Cannes, introduced by English visitors and quickly established itself on the neighbouring massif.
The mimosa grows very well on the slopes of the Tanneron Massif, around the village of Tanneron, Mandelieu and Pégomas.

Mimosa cultivation in the commune of Tanneron, Terre de Mimosa, is now one of the finest jewels in the crown of this charming commune in the Pays de Fayence.
Its massif is home to 200 hectares of trees of the acacia genus and the mimosa order.
These fluffy, bright yellow, fragrant little balls are beautiful to behold in their natural environment.
They flower from December to March.
February is still the best month to come and enjoy the mimosa flowering in the wild.

Botany:
Three varieties of mimosa (Acacia Dealbata- winter mimosa)): Gaulois, Mirandole and Rustica grow on the Tanneron massif, in acidic, well-drained, dry soil.

Gaulois: a large, vigorous tree with dark green foliage,bipinnate leaves and an abundance of sulphur-yellow flowers, which appear widely from the end of January to March.

Mirandole: large, light green, bipinnate leaves, flowering in large bunches of brilliant, pure yellow from late December to February.

Rustica: beautiful bluish evergreen foliage. Its hardiness produces an inflorescence of numerous bright yellow pompoms. The highly fragrant hermaphrodite flowers appear between December and March.

The small, velvety, golden-yellow pompoms, known as glomerules, are arranged in clusters and hang directly from the stem.

The light green, sometimes bluish foliage is decorative all year round and sometimes resembles fern leaves.

Mimosas can withstand temperatures ranging from -5°C (Acacia retinoides, known as the Four-Season Mimosa) to -10°C (Acacia dealbata, known as the Winter Mimosa).

Tips for repotting your mimosa? In spring, after it has flowered in winter

What is a "mimosiste"?
This is a horticulturist who grows mimosa. When you visit their farm, they'll explain everything about their work and take you on a tour of a forcing house.