Spring awakening

The garden is warming up and waking from its winter sleep. Here are a few glimpses of the early wakers.

Pomegranate’s brilliant new leaves give a foretaste of the
sparkling gems that will develop inside its fruits.

The endemic Cistus albidus sowed itself next to the Dimorphotheca two years ago, showing its impeccable taste. They bloom at the same time, with complementary colours. Can you spot the bee?

A closer look at the bee visiting a Cistus flower.

A full view of lovely Cistus albidus — native to the entire eastern Mediterranean region.

As the earliest plants in bloom, the Dimorphotheca and its neighbour
the grey-leafed Cistus albidus are magnets for the early bees.

The first of the three quince trees, presents from our friends R and L, to bloom. I love everything about the quince — its fuzzy leaves, its delicate flowers, and of course, its fruits, whose scent can perfume an entire room.

More quince (Cydonia oblonga) flowers. Hopefully some will set fruit this year. Looking forward to making Aphrodite’s pudding with our own quinces.

Another endemic, Euphorbia characias (?), which I rescued from a road construction site. Now growing and seeding itself happily in the cool shade of a carob tree. Its blue-green leaves are lovely and a great contrast to the acid green flowers.

An unexpected out-of-season flower from a newly planted Plectranthus that I had given up for dead.

I’m expecting more blossoms from the other fruit trees. Watch this space!