2023-09-13 05:50:38
It is a garden like no other, and a devouring passion which allows it today to be unique in France, and even to contain a collection of extremely rare aloe. Guy Piret, a former offshore maritime engineer, now converted to personal service in the garden, began to have more than a green thumb 18 years ago now. Crazy about diving, which he practiced at an “almost professional” level and internationally, the young fifty-year-old discovered, “a little by chance”, a resurgence of the seabed… Through the colorful and astonishing universe succulents.
He works to develop, in his garden, on the one hand, and in another secret location, his countless varieties of aloe with a thousand colors, which light up in the first ray of sunlight.
In Brélès (Finistère), Guy Piret has the largest collection of hybrid aloes in Europe (he has 2000 in his garden!). LP/Nora Moreau
“I am the first in France to have found a system for growing them in the ground and outdoors,” he slips. But the object of his pride also lies in his collection of some 2,000 aloes which dot this 600 m² exhibition at his home. “I don’t sell anything,” he explains. But I actually created the first collection of hybrid aloes in Europe! “. In the three labs that he has installed in his house, with the help of his little family, Guy Piret works day and night at the bedside of these plants which are as beautiful as they are astonishing. “With their juicy triangular leaves – some smooth, others toothed (but never prickly!), they remind me of starfish…”
Selected for the “Secret Gardens” competition
But Guy’s talents are starting to have an international resonance now. The national competitions don’t forget it either. The Breton has just been selected for the “Secret Gardens” competition, organized each year by the National Horticultural Society of France. “They reward the prettiest and most secret gardens,” he concludes. The jury came this summer to evaluate the garden, with a very complete technical file; There will be a deliberation in October for results in December.” Several themes and categories will be highlighted. No doubt the succulents, and this incredible collection of hybrid aloes will make all the difference…
But Guy’s talents are starting to have an international resonance now. The national competitions don’t forget it either. The Breton has just been selected for the “Secret Gardens” competition, organized each year by the National Horticultural Society of France. “They reward the prettiest and most secret gardens,” he concludes. The jury came this summer to evaluate the garden, with a very complete technical file; There will be a deliberation in October for results in December.” Several themes and categories will be highlighted. No doubt the succulents, and this incredible collection of hybrid aloes will make all the difference…
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