Encyclia vitellina

Encyclias flowers are quite different in the colors but also in the blooming time, someone also smell (at least to me) a little bit. The pictured below is Encyclia cordigera blooming in June.

Catania

Last week I was in Sicily for a meeting and I visited Catania, inclusive Etna volcano an Palermo. About Etna and Palermo I'll post some pictures as soon I have more time to organize my slides. The Botany Garden of Palermo is simply gorgeous!
These couple of pictures from Catania are performed with my iPhone.


Arriving in Catania, on the background the Etna volcano, bottom right the so-called "Piana di Catania" with the citrus growers.


Just a couple of containers...


but the result ist quite nice!


Even if you have the best self-control, you cannot resist, Sicilian cuisine is simply unbelievable!

Winterprotection banksia

I did it, now it's your turn Banksias to try to overwinter! Banksias, as well other proteaceae from Australia or from South Africa will take some degrees below 0°C without problems, the major troubles are due to waterlogged soil in Winter. For this reason a performed movable rain protection for the Wintertime. Additionally the young plants are protected with geotextile.

Poncirus trifoliata

Since I planted a Poncirus on the border of my property, regularly in fall I will be questioned from passers-by about this tree. After they known that the species belongs to citrus family, hundred percent of the interlocutors cannot believe that the fruits are not edible. So to avoid that they try one, I describe how disgusting was my first and last try to eat one!

Rock Garden

I'm quite prude about this part of my rock garden that I totally renewed last year. It is planted essentially with spring blooming corm plants like a small collection of wild tulip species and crocuses, but there also some plants perennial and shrubs.

Crocus

A late blooming Crocus cartwrightianus in the rock garden. It is regarded to be the wild form of saffron crocus.

Grevillea victoriae

Wow, this was a "coup de foudre!". This morning I received the new issue of Gardens Illustrated and I find a large image with the magnific inflorescence of Grevillea victoriae. This has become a new must for my garden.