“This is an excellent initiative to raise awareness among citizens of greening the city,” says Patricia, delighted to leave with a young tree seedling to replant in the ground. An idea included in the Tree Plan of the City after that of the Flowers on my wall, launched a few years ago. “We have planned a distribution of 1,500 young plants during the day, assures Loïc Le Gascon, head of the Plan Arbre project. It is a great success.”

Greening Toulouse has been the City’s challenge for the past few years. Or according to Jean-Luc Moudenc, present at the event, “to go from 3,500 plantations / year to 100,000 / year”. With this in mind, the very successful first edition of “Capitole Végétal” took place yesterday at Place du Capitole, with at the heart of the event, the installation of a masterful bouquet designed by Benoît de Saint-Amand, best worker of France, and 15 confirmed florists from Occitanie and New Aquitaine. A day during which several professionals offered advice, artistic demonstrations and flower sales. “The people of Toulouse have a real demand for plants”, note Benoît and Cyril, florists solicited for the event by the Federation of florists. A day of competition also with the recognition of plants, set up by the Training Center for apprentices of CFA Auzeville and the Federation of Nurserymen. “This competition, made to raise public awareness of plants, attracted 80 participants”, remarks Eric Caussat, manager of the Caussat nurserymen. This day was also a flower of the talent of several young people including that of Avril Aillot, honored with the diploma of the City of Toulouse. This young woman will represent Occitania in the national competition in 2022. “A pride for the profession” assured by Claudine Pinel, president of the union chamber of florists of Midi-Pyrénées.