the tea party

from left, Ann, Virginia and Dawn, some of my gardening buddies, taking time out to stroll the garden. These photos were taken by Juliette to whom I am very thankful.

my surprise guest was Nicole from a Caribbean Garden and her brother Rishi who were in town

The tea party was on Saturday. It was good to see old friends and meet new ones. Garden blogger Nicole from a Caribbean Garden, was in town on business and was able to be here. It was really nice to meet up with her again. We also had in spirit, garden bloggers Andrea, Autumn Belle, Kanak, JC, Lotusleaf, Shailaja, Stephanie and Bangchik.

Special thanks to Valerie (the fourth photo down searching her purse) who assisted me in the kitchen, slicing cake, frying the accras, (cod fish cakes) and flying fish fingers. Special thanks to my sister Sandra who helped preparing the fish and with the washing up. There was enough food to feed an army and everyone had some to take home. I am still enjoying the remaining iced tea this morning with the chicken salad on toast.

tropical fruity friday

delicious Erwin mango

Welcome to a tropical fruity Friday in Barbados. My mangoes are almost finished and my star fruit is coming in to season.

Tomorrow, I will be having some friends over to tea, to celebrate my birthday which happens to be today. If you recall, I had sent out invitations to many of you to attend this important event. Many of you have accepted, and I, will be placing your name cards with your blog addresses on my table. Many of my friends will get to meet you and I will have a surprise guest attending.

Tomorrow will also be the official opening of my new kitchen, so stay tuned.

Rambling update

queen of flowers, queen's crape myrtle or pride of India (lagerstromeia speciosa)

I have been watching this tree for several years, every year for flower buds.

Then suddenly one morning I spotted these buds. I was elated!


I have been reading about this tree on some of my gardening friends' blogs in India and Florida. I thought that might be the tree I bought many years ago (about 3 years). I waited impatiently every year to see buds. Hola! This year I am rewarded with some buds and blooms. Not many, just on what seems to be the older branches of the tree. The tree is still quite young and still has many years to grow into the magnificent specimen that it is meant to be . I have seen a few of these trees on the island, one is located in the car park of the Foundation school in Christ Church, and another from Caribbean Plants in Gibbes where this one was purchased.

My garden ramble, which was held over the weekend did not come off as I would have wanted it to. On Saturday, I was competing with the World cup and Wimbledon, and on Sunday it rained buckets. Some people came and bought some plants after the events . Next time, I will do a thorough check before confirming a date. I however, cannot control the weather.

Garden Ramble and plant sale

Hello Barbados,

you are invited to bring your family, friends, cameras and some moola to a Country garden ramble and plant sale on Saturday July 03rd and Sunday July 04th . The rainy season has started so now is the time to get your garden planted. Meet other gardeners and get some helpful tips on landscaping your garden. Let us talk dirty! Special on selected water lilies ! Sample and purchase pickles and chutneys you will never see on the supermarket shelves. A wide selection of plants, palms and trees will be on sale. It starts at 9.00am and finishes at 6.00pm both days. See you soon!

baobab in Barbados

flowers and fruit resemble decorative hanging ornaments

Baobab Tree (Adansonia digitata)

One of the two recorded mature trees in Barbados. This remarkable
tree with a girth of 44.5 ft (13.6m) is believed to have been brought from Guinea, Africa around 1738 making it over 250 years old. Its jug-shaped
trunk is ideally suited for storing water, an ideal adaption in the dry savannah regions of its native Africa.

This tree is located in Warrens St. Michael on the outside of a huge construction site. Local preservationists and historians made it clear that this tree was not to be touched. Just recently, another tree was destroyed by developers who just didn't care that there were fewer than four of these on the island. Its trunk has been used as a guest book for visitors wishing to leave their mark.

flower showers

a beautiful bridal bouquet

The rainbow shower tree (cassia x nealiae) above is a cross between the cassia javanica and the cassia fistula. I have been trying to get a plant for while and I am still looking. This tree is located on the edge of the Sandy Lane golf course. I can recall seeing a total of three of these trees around the island. Since they do not produce any seed pods they can only be propagated by hybridizing and grafting. Looks like I will have to attempt this if I want one. I wonder if they will air layer or grow by pieces? I will try to grow them that way to begin with.
P.S. I am noticing more of these trees as I drive around. There is also a very pale yellow with cream flowers as well.

showing off

Jamaican rain tree

For the past few days, I have been putting off cutting the grass because of the frequent rain showers and the hot sun (any excuse not to sweat and get wet). So this morning I decided to bite the bullet and get on with it. It was quite enjoyable zipping around on my mower. I happened to glance over towards the island beds and suddenly this bolt of yellow struck me. I exclaimed with a loud "WHOA" "OH MY GOD"! I had to go get my camera! My Jamaican rain tree was in her glory and so was my flamboyant . Anything for a break and a kodak moment. Well sadly the break is now over and I have to get back to work......... Tah dah until we meet again.

Garden bloggers bloom day June 2010

Welcome to garden bloggers bloom day where gardeners around the world, post photos of what is in bloom in their gardens on the 15th of every month. I know I am early but I couldn't wait another two days to show you this.

I am on a pink cloud of zephyranthes whose shady origins are thought to be South American or Mexican. They are also known as rain lilies in North America or thunder lilies in India (thanks Sunita). We recently had a day of rain (yes rain) and never have I seen this amount of plants and flowers in bloom at the same time. This stunning display has given me the inspiration to plant more borders of these around the garden. For more information on the culture please go to Floridata.

To see more blooming gardens please visit Carol at may dreams gardens who gave birth to this event. See you soon!

Garden spaces

The back garden pergola is nearly two years old, it seems only like a few months ago. How time has flown! Yesterday I decided to place some of my many potted golden palms along the back wall to create a more cozy space. To tell the truth I seldom use this area and I decided to I take time out to enjoy this space . This morning I had my cup of coffee out there.

My birthday is next month and am toying with the idea of a small celebration, and why not have it here? The yellow mandevilla, now known as the vine alamanda has finally covered half of the pergola, thus providing me with some shade during the hottest part of the day. It is a lovely spot to relax in the evenings.

As you can see my adirondack chairs have not been painted since I started two years (more like 17 months) ago. I don't know if I will ever finish this job or delegate it to my garden helper. I know, I am the world's greatest procrastinator and some times I need to have fire under my rear end to get some things going.

To all my fellow garden bloggers, I will not name you but you know who you are, please join me for tea and crumpets on Saturday at 4.00pm. Please dress appropriately.

P.S. Happy belated birthday greetings Virginia!

Royally hot, loud and proud

The Royal Poincianna (delonix regia) or Flamboyant for some of us, is showing off her dazzling beauty around the island. The season arrives very early this year, normally they bloom in July and August. Mine are slowly coming into bloom and won't be ready for another few weeks. For more hot loud and proud please visit a plant fanatic in Hawaii .

They say great minds think alike! Andrea, who lives in the Philippines has done a post about the same tree on her blog , under the same meme, hot loud and proud. I am linking her post to mine, so please go over to visit her at Andrea in this lifetime
Enjoy!!

This and that

Last weekend, I attended our local manufacturer's exhibition BMEX. I hadn't been for many years and it hasn't changed much. However I spotted some new faces and talent. The above products are from two designers whom I think will go places. I recommended that they should place their products on Etsy.com to reach a wider market.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day May 15th 2010

Welcome to Garden Bloggers Bloom Day where gardeners post photos of what is blooming in their gardens . My pink mussenda is in its glory. It was trimmed back in March and I can't believe the profusion of blooms it has on it now. To see more of what is blooming in other gardens please take a stroll over to may dreams gardens

I haven't been posting regularly because I have been preoccupied with the completion my kitchen . I am still waiting on counter tops. My supplier had sold the one I paid for and didn't want to renegotiate with me for a similar priced slab. He wanted me to buy another slab for more money. I kindly asked for a full refund and went elsewhere. I found another after agonizing over several designs. It is costing me more but I feel better than dealing with the former supplier.