Pics from cool in the shade Bignonia rosea and Campis radicans

 Sor ry these didnt come up on blog of "cool in the shade"

pics of palms

                                                 Above pics of Phoenix canarias

                                                   Above two pics Chamaerops humilis (fan palm)

Making a statement with Palms

Phew its hot........Yesterday I felt like I had cement boots on, every step became heavier as the day went on, and we are only just getting into the hottest part of Summer, thankgoodness we are never far from the sea here in Menorca, after finishing work its a hop skip and a jump, litterally into the sea . Now Im refreshed and ready to swap some gardening news with you.
If your feeling energetic and want to make a statement in your garden,(no dont strip off and scare the wild life) this is the best time to plant Palms of which there are thousands of varieties, but here in Menorca the most common is Phoenix Canarias (date palm) . Truvi garden centre is the best for selection and price. Yesterday we planted 12 date palms in a garden that Villa Care Menorca is looking after. Make sure the hole you dig is twice as wide as the root ball and just deep enough to cover to the top of the root ball. In the coming weeks when its hot water frequently, so that the roots become established but remember palms dont like sitting in wet soil . Also remember that when they are young they may be perfect next to a pathway or your house, but they will grow, either in a pineapple shape or fat trunks but they are aiming for the sky so respect their space. A smaller but actually my favourite of the palms is the fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) we planted  9 of these around a swimming pool of another property that Villa Care have taken on their books. Again remember plant in groups of 3 resembling triangle shape. Fan-tastic looking palms, very hardy, clump forming and perfect for that mediteranean look. See photos for both of these palms.

pics of Yuccas, Agave, Aloe Vera

                                                          Above Aloe Vera

                                                             Agave Tenuata

                                                              young yuccas

Less is more.................

The expression "Less is more" takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to gardening, especially as the heat from the sun takes its toll on the plants at this time of year.  You can still  have all year round interest by planting Yuccas they have shape structure and depth of colour. Totally drought resistant and in group planting really give your garden that mediteranean feel. They vary from shape to leaf size and simply thrive in any soil. Just avoid the baynet yucca, as its leaves are sharp pointed needles that can leave a painful puncture to the skin.
Another beautiful looking plant is the soft leaved Agave, again very little or no watering required for an amazing display. Put this amongst your yuccas, or in front of them for all year round show.
Lastly for ground cover aound your yuccas, plant out some Aloe Vera. In early spring and late summer they produce spears of  orange flame flower heads, no watering required.
At Villa Care Menorca  where the owners are not resident  this type of planting is becoming more and more popular, not only for the low maintenance but because its simplicity is so striking, so remember sometimes less is definately more. See pics for above.

Be cool in the shade

Well now its hot hot hot,  getting up at the crack of dawn to get the gardening jobs finished before the intense heat of the day. Having a shady place in the garden is a must for the mediteranean climate, plus its just so inviting to relax with a long cold drink under a canopy of lush green leaves instead of retreating indoors.
At on old farmhouse that Villa Care are looking after, we have just finished putting in a pergola.In Autumn we will plant out around the posts a vigorous climber, called Bignonia Rosea, which has masses of pale pink trumpet shaped flowers that thrive in the sun and is drought tolerant. Iv attached pics. Really is fast growing with a twisted vine affect around posts, its deciduous so you can still sit on your terrace and enjoy the warmth from the winter sun. The flowers start to appear from middle of June onwards, its really at its best in September with a blitz of pink flora.
If you dont want a pink showy climber, then try Campis Radicans another vigorous climber, deciduous, with orange trumpet shaped flowers that grow in clusters, again full sun loving, drought tolerant, that will easily cover a small terrace patio with one plant, but for impact and shade plant one plant per post. Then next year sit and relax under your very own canopy of coolness. See pic for this also attached.

 Above Cestrum nocturnum (Lady of the night)

                                                             Above Jasminium Sambac

                                                           Above Nicotiana ( Tabacco plant)

Evening scented gardens

Hooray looks like the warm summer nights are on the way. , now we can enjoy the garden at its best. A glass or two of Roja, and taking in the evening fragrances wafting across the garden. Our  sense of smell is woven into our memory banks, and what better way of stimulating them than having an array of different nocturnal scented plants, Once the sun sets these amazing plants get to work, releasing their scent into the evening air.

Soft lights and candles can create the ambience, but nothing compares to the lasting memory of the nightime fragrances of the garden. So here are a few which Iv just suggested to a client of Villa Care Menorca.

Lady of the night (Cestrum Nocturnum)

This is the strongest fragrance of plants I have come across, as the sun sets the creamy white flowers of this evergreen shrub burst into life. Describing the fragrance is not easy, as it conveys many complex notes, a musky jasmine, with a hint of cinnamon, very sweet and intense. Plant it north south of your garden, not near your terrace, so that it is carried in the evening air. An amazing plant that just keeps on through the summer nights.

Jasminium Sambac

This is part of the Jasmin family, native to Southeast Asia, but I didn’t travel that far to buy it, Truvi is the best garden centre for most plants, especially this variety. It’s evergreen with small clusters of creamy white flowers that are simply divine. Beautiful fragrance not overpowering, and the flowers can be used for a jasmine infusion. Plant it either in the ground or pot near to your terrace or outside a bedroom window, the exotic aroma is heavenly. Water little and often in the hotter months.

 Nicotiana Tabacco plant

These are winners every time, in my opinion totally under estimated. A, profusion of colours from fucia pinks , whites, to yellows. Flowering from early summer to late October. When the flowers normally open at dusk the fragrance is  subtle . On mass they are quite amazing, they will grow in any soil. Spanish locals often refer to them as a weed, as they will grow any where. In my mind they are a welcome site in any garden or patio pot and deserve more merit than they receive. Collect the peppercorn seeds when they flower, its quite therapeutic, then keep them until next spring and scatter them in those spaces where nothing seems to grow.

In the meantime try to keep out of the searing heat of the day and celebrate those nocturnal scented plants in your garden after dusk. See photos of the above plants  attached.

Pics of drought resistant flora in blue colours

 

                                                   Above Solanum Rantonnetii

                                                  Above Plumbago auriculata

                                                         Above Echium fastuosum

Drought resistant plants in various shades of Blue

What a difference a day makes. Clear blue skys and sun sun sun. Great for the Tourists not so great for the plants coping in the heat, so here are a few of my favourites that put on a great display for very little watering in return.
Solanum Rantonnetii (Blue potato bush)
This fast growing bush will always put on a display of beautiful purple blue flowers on mass, and most of the year. Plant it in full sun, water once a week in the Summer and watch it grow. It tolerates extreme heat and dry conditions. Grows to about 2m x2m. As its a perennial you will have all round interest.

Echium Fastuosum
A wonderful striking evergreen perennial with tall blue flowering spears appearing in Spring, again little or no watering required in the cooler months, when its hot once a week is enough, you will be rewarded with a beautiful looking shrub.

Plumbago auriculata
Another outstanding spreading shrub with clusters of pale blue flowers from the early part of Summer right through to October, again little or no watering in the cooler months otherwise once a week . Plant it near a pathway or near the terrace to enjoy the abundance of colour.
We at Villa Care are always thinking of our clients requirements, and by planting drought resistant plants is one way of keeping your water bills down, as well as helping the enviroment.

Almost the end of another busy week.

Well I know the weather has not been very kind to the tourists who have been here this week but, for me it's been so good.
 No scorching sun in your eyes or your back.
This morning we at Villa Care have been working on a clients garden at Torri Soli Nou that's right next to Son Bou.
The lady wanted what we call a dry garden so, some time ago that's exactly what she got complete with Yuccas Date Palms and ornamental Cacti.
 Today I have planting up succulents these are what I call great value for money plants.They come back year after year and the colours are so vivid that they will brighten up any garden.
 Virtually no water and they seem to bloom for an eternity.
We will be finishing up this afternoon so I hope to try and upload some of these photographs.

The 8th June 2011 near Binibeca

This morning it has been pouring out of the heavens not typical weather for this time of year in Menorca but, never the less the work needs to be done.

A garden that we at Villa Care Menorca have been putting in order, has been the order of this morning.
 It is in a country area just outside Binibeca, an old Menorcan house that has newly came onto our books and that had been left for quite sometime without any TLC.
Before the real heat of Summer comes in, our clients asked as well as the landscaping that was being done they would like in irrigation system installed because watering this amount of garden can be a real chore in the Summer.
 So that's what this morning's work intailed the installation of SOLO RAIN.
 A very clever system that can be set on a timer to come on as many as 3 times a day.
 Excellent for a house like this who's WISH LIST includes a lovely green and soft lawn.
 Something that here in Menorca,can be difficult to achieve without a watering system.
All I can say though, is it would made life a lot simpler today if the rain had held off.
 More on this garden to follow.

Hello.

Hi my name is Sarah.
As I am sure you are aware I am potty about gardening.(excuse the pun)
When Villa Care Menorca asked me to write a BLOG at first I was very hesitant saying what on earth could I write that would of any interest to anyone.
But after a while the idea grew on me.There are so many people who ask me questions about gardening.

Why won't this grow? Is it the right time of year to plant this? Where is the correct position for this particular shrub.?

I decided maybe I could write something of interest.!!!
Hopefully I will be able to keep Blogging on a  regular basis as, at Villa Care at this time of year we are very busy.I will keep you up to date on gardens we are working on and show you the progress.