What's Blooming This Month-Febrero

January turned out to be almost as warm as the first year we were here, and a welcome break from last year's cold winter.  Lots of mild days for lunching out of doors. February has been kind as well, but the wind has returned, it doesn't stay away for very long.  The milder temps encouraged the almond trees to blossom a little early and many get zapped on a cold, windy night.  Almost all the almond trees are looking glorious now, even our few puny ones.

the best of our puny almond trees

mature almond trees in bloom out in the Burga Valley

Heavily pruned Carob covered in Hardenbergia

This hardenbergia is one of the first plants we bought at our favorite garden center, Mola.  We saw a mature plant at our neighbors' house and knew we needed one.  It has climbed into this carob tree which I've radically pruned, and filled the tree with its delicate purple clusters, twining and holding on to each leaf and branch.

Hardenbergia growing through pruned carob tree

Ipheion, though scant right now, spread a lovely baby blue all over the terrace garden.

Ipheion

 Vinca major with its dark green trailing tendrils that covers the ground of many of our garden spaces, likes to to put out a few purpley blue blossoms during this cooler time of year.

Vinca

When we first arrived, I pulled out handfuls of these silly spreaders.  Lately I've taken a shine to their hot pink and purple frittileria like heads them (in specific locations) and currently these mother of millions are walking their way down a steep slope waiting to be met by neighbors, the ground covering Flor de Cuchillo (hottentot fig).

Mother of millions

Original pic in blog was before bloom, now on 24 Feb. looking great

Mother of millions

Silene is a very happy self sower, popping up in planters and garden beds, quite pleased to nest next to cacti or lettuce.

Silene