35. Updates from the Mediterranean: Oleanders, Vivai, more Artichoke Flowers...
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Oleanders
For the last week I was in Southern Italy, scouting botanical gardens and enjoying the sea (although it is getting more and more polluted). The last time I was there during the summer months, it was early June and filled with spring wildflowers and the jasmine was just starting. This time, it was hotter, stickier, and thick blooms dominated every view. Bougainvillea, jasmine (which smells even stronger at night if you can withstand the mosquitoes to enjoy it), and oleanders.
Oleanders are fairly new to my flower brain cells, my dad introduced them to me last year via video chat and recommended them as a fairly easy flowering plant to add to my summer garden. Unfortunately, they appeared sold out all over NL so I put the idea of adding them to my repertoire to the wayside. Had it not been for my dad pointing out their telltale leaves, I probably would have just disregarded the blooms I saw everywhere as just another tropical flower.
Oleanders are native to the Mediterranean, Iran, India, and Southern China. In “flower language”, oleander’s mean “desire, destiny, caution, and romantic love”. There are many different variations of all colours. The ones I saw were mostly in Campania were white and fuchsia. Apparently they flow through mythology, but I am still slowly getting through Pandora’s Jar and am in no expert position to discuss that field.
Instead, I began to notice them absolutely everywhere, dominating the flower scene of Campania. Here are some beautiful shots of them relishing in the summer heat of the Mediterranean.
Vivai
When Nico and I lived in Spain, we used to frequent our local viveros and bought up all the tropical plants that we could not fathom growing in Canada (although my dad is able to do this with the help of a greenhouse in Ottawa). Cute nurseries, especially with a countryside vibe are pretty much impossible to find in Amsterdam - but we do have plenty of cute plant shops and large scale nurseries. In Italy, they are called Vivaio (Vivai is the plural, if I am correct).
And I stumbled upon a couple on Ischia:
Due to the strict baggage policies airlines are now enforcing to make up for covid losses, I resisted the urge to bring back plants with me on the plane. Instead, I had to admire from afar <3 but thought I would share the cuteness here.
Artichoke flowers…again
Some apparent manifestation in my last newsletter had me seeing artichoke flowers randomly during my trip. First in the Giardini Ravino, in their potager, alongside tomatoes. Then, a retired artichoke flower bouquet tossed not so delicately into the flower box beside where I was enjoying my morning coffee in Panza. Ask and the universe will deliver I guess, it was a bit thrilling (in my plant nerd way) to see artichokes growing in the ground. Even though the flowers were also past their prime and I could not get as close as I wanted to due to the set up of the garden, hopefully these photos are good enough <3
Some things nourishing me this week:
Caffè freddo with a view
The mini roses flowering again, this time a lighter shade than previous blooms. Apparently roses can do this (other flowers too, like hibiscus), as I learned yesterday, thanks dad.
the prettiest Slovenian pet-nat back in Amsterdam, with a backdrop of passionflower and wisteria. If you aren’t drinking douchey sounding natural wine from Eastern Europe, what are you even doing this summer. Just kidding love you guys.
natural hot springs
these absolutely insane lotus flowers at Giardini La Mortella on Ischia
shades of champagne and rosé in currants and gooseberries from the farmer’s market. Side note, if you are afraid of adding some bougainvillea to your garden - just go for it, these are actually my most low maintenance plants. Just make sure to put sand in their soil and fertilize in the warmer months, and bring inside for winter if you live in chillier climates.
Thank you all for being here <3 I hope your summer is going well, if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, and winter for those in the Southern. I spent almost the entire trip photographing plants and learning about botanicals in Campania so forgive me as the next few weeks will be filled with that content. I hope you don’t mind <3. I’ll see you next week!
Know of anyone else growing oleanders?
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