An Algarve Garden 2020

@Victoria ,

Beautiful colours and images of the Justicia brandegeana ...that colour on the Cane Begonia is close to Burgandy ,..but the top of the list has to be those spectacular blooms of the Brugmansia,..still my eyes are drawn to those blooms on your Iochroma cyanea

 

@glengarry23

Philip, the Shrimp plant colour is actually more vibrant than depicted. I may not be able to have bedding plants as such ... but I sure have some spectacular species.

The Arbour (which we call the Baffarinha) is only about 9 square meters, has 4 lounge chairs and end tables. The Southern side is the wall to the shed which protects it from the Summer heat. The Eastern side it to the orchard where the Cane Begonia sits in front of a dry stone wall which is our boundary. The Western side has the Brugmansia and SunSeeker Rose and the Northern side to where my car is parked and the Shrimp plant on the corner ... sometimes the other car (a Kia Estate) is there too but usually on the side of the house. I have only been working on this area for the past year since we sold the hot tub which was in the Baffarinha (little West African hut).

Yesterday I got a Cordyalis elata from the UK to put in the old Bristol sink with the Cane Begonia but it looks dead so I wrote them and they are sending me another ... it only grows about a foot tall and has a light scent light Gardenia ...



I will keep this updated on how things progress.

 

The Baffarinha (pronounced Baffa-reen-ya) is a small African hut.

This past year we have been converting our hot tub area into a lounge area having sold the hot tub. Here are some photos taken today. I have lots more planting to do.















I have plants I am growing on to put in the large pots. The three hanging pots have an
Ipomoea batatas in the centre and Spider plants either side just rooting from the mother plant. I am seeding Chabaud Mix Carnations in the trough.

In the last picture is a lovely Honeysuckle going over the arch into the dining area which leads to the Baffarinha under the Brugmansia.

It will be work in progress this Summer.

 

During our Stay at Home orders we have several areas to sit in and enjoy ...

The Kitchen Patio, which attracts full Southern sun so only good in the mornings and evenings ...



The Front of House facing East which we enjoy in the evenings with Toby the Burble Barrel on ...





The Formal Dining Patio called the Baffio (between the Baffa - African Meeting Place / Outdoor Living Room) and the Baffarinha ...



... and of course the Baffarinha referred to above ...



... or we could just sit in the Baffa which has a/c, a TV, bar, etc ...



We now have disposed of the cane unit to the right and have a smaller dining table to the left ... actually swapped it with the octagonal table outside.

Most folk do not spend a lot of time inside their homes here.

 

@Victoria ,

Victoria you really have made the very best of all the space available,..its nice to be able to follow the sun as it shines on your house throughout the day and have a comfortable location as well.

So true about people where you are located not spending a lot of time inside the house,..i could live like that.

 

Just updating before the month is over with a few of the blooms from May.

Jatopha integerrima ...





Jatropha & Tecoma (Spicy & Ginger as I call them) ...



Tecoma stans (Ginger Thomas) ...



Agapanthus ...



Trough at kitchen gate with Variegated Nasturtium, Ipomoea and Carnations below on old English milk urn ...

 

@Victoria ,that Jatopha looks well worth growing.
I used to have J.podagaric (spelling off the top of my head), and apart from being a bit of a curiosity, I found the flowers a bit poor.

 

@pete I did Jatropha podagrica from seed last June, three out of five took..I don't expect spectacular flowers, interested in the trunk and leaves.

 

Some June views ...

Jacaranda coming into bloom, thankfully hiding some of the pods ...



Oleander coming into bloom between Jacaranda and Bougainvillea ...



Thevetia with Platycodon in pot behind and Aeonium to right ...



Mandevillea and Iochroma (with Nicholas peeking in front) ...





Water feature called Toby with Obi wrought iron cat in front ...

 

New Hibisus rosa-sinensis ...

 

@Victoria ,

Hi Victoria,..that's a beautiful Hibiscus it has a huge Bloom,..congrats on getting it

 

I seem to have missed July entirely but there's not much but green in the hot months.

Here is the Jacaranda we had cut back last year (with Iochroma shedding leaves to rejuvinate itself) ...



... and the other Jacaranda which is being cute back mid September ...



Plumbago through Iochroma ...



... and same through bedroom window ...



Hanging baskets on Jungle Room ...





Still have to transfer the Million Bells on the right to new wire/coconut lining basket. Russellia starting off on left, Lipstick Vine in middle. Spider plants in small pots again yet to be transferred to new baskets.

 

Beautiful pics Vicky, love your Jungle Room !!

 

Thanks Upsy. xx By Autumn it will be near how we want it so lots of piccies then.

 

Interesting images Victoria,..i can almost feel the heat,..despite the fact its raining here,..cute wee Meercat.