[John J]

It does flower well, often right through July and into August, the hottest period of the year. Unfortunately I've never detected a scent. They don't appear to be overly popular, possibly because they are an untidy tree that needs to be frequently cleared of lots of little dead twigs. This can be a painful job as the twigs and branches are covered in small but nasty spikes. Probably another reason for its unpopularity, you don't want to brush against it. The photo shows what I mean.

[John J]

Today's morning walk was a little out of the ordinary. The temperature has risen to heights that make it impossible to work in the garden, or even to walk around it in comfort, so we decided to head up the mountain to see if it was any cooler and also how the Troodos Botanical Garden was faring. It was 2 or 3 degrees cooler but any benefit was nullified by the attentions of the tiny biting midges that are prevalent in that area at certain times of the year. Anyway, we were pleasantly surprised to see that Andreas, the Forester in charge, had scattered some of the seeds we had given him on our last visit at the start of the year. Sunflowers, Evening Primroses, Nigella and Carthamus tinctorius were growing and either in flower or had already done so.
We had also left him some small plants and some of these were in evidence too. A Rolanda petasites, Cestrum nocturnum and various salvias. The photos are not great but they show an area where the salvias were planted, a Salvia interrupta and a Salvia 'Anthony Parker' (an offspring of one of yours, David). Being Sunday Andreas was off duty so we'll have to find an opportunity to go back again soon to see him.

[Umbrian]

Good work John and nice to see your plants being well cared for. A very brief storm the other day has  freshened the air here slightly but,  as with you,  work in the garden is difficult unless undertaken very early. Time to sit back a bit and enjoy the fruits of well chosen, climate adapted plants.

[John J]

Tried working in the garden this morning early but was so hot and humid had to cease and desist. So took out camera and looked for subjects. Even that was not straightforward as perspiration was dripping onto camera screen. Nevertheless some plants are bravely combating the conditions and trying to put on a show.

[Alisdair]

What a collection you have, John!

[Umbrian]

If I am correct one of the flowers featured is Salvia 'Love and Wishes' ?
Mine are standing up to the high temperatures we are experiencing surprisingly well considering it is a 'soft' Salvia - not a woody based one with small leaves. Even one in more or less full sun is coping well but is not as big as those that get some relief. I should add they are all in pots and so do get water.......

[John J]

You are correct, Carole, it is Salvia 'Love and Wishes'. It's the one that Sonia bought for Charithea while we were in Italy in May. As you can see it has already recovered from being pruned back severely in order to fit into the hand luggage. It too is in a pot in partial shade at the front of the house, so it also gets water.

[John J]

Very hot, very dry, little water but still some plants manage to flower bravely on.

[John J]

A few of the fruits of our labours, although 2 very dry winters that provided little or no deep water has reduced the overall cropping of most trees considerably.

[John J]

David, I've been instructed to post the following photos of a couple of the plants that you gave to Thea in May, and have just flowered. Hibiscus trionum and Salvia 'Royal Bumble' (if I've got that right!). She also says to say Thank you.

[John J]

It's been a while since I took my camera into the garden while wandering around with my morning coffee, so I thought I'd take a few photos today of what was in flower. Once I started I was surprised at how many there were. I've chosen 10, as per the restrictions imposed by the Forum.

[Alisdair]

I love your morning walks, John; thanks for all those sights (and scents?).

[John J]

Hilary posted about Pancrateum maritimum and Drimia maritima on her Postage Stamps of the World thread. Our Pancrateum are well in flower now and the first Drimia has put up a flower spike.
Also, despite the intense heat and the fact that we have had no rain for over 6 months our Euphorbia dendroides has decided it's time to start putting on leaves.

[John J]

Not a morning walk but an evening one. Last night the Antiquities Department opened the site of the ruins of the ancient city of Kourion, situated on the clifftop overlooking the bay and facing the modern city of Limassol. This was to allow people to wander the ruins in the light of the full moon. They also had a singer accompanied by a keyboard player performing in the theatre to provide a little background music. Not being a great photographer below is the best of the shots I took which doesn't do justice to the scene.

[David Dickinson]

Just seen your earlier posting John. Have been away from the forum for a while. The two plant names are correct. Remember the Hibiscus is an annual and you will need to collect seed if you want to see it again next year, Salvia "Royal Bumble" seems to be the easiest plant to grow in Rome. Hot summers, wet summers, cold winters, wet winters - nothing seems to stop it. Flowers for most of the year and cuttings take so easily.  That's my experience of it, anyway. Hope it survives for you.