Our windy conditions finally wound down the middle of the week leaving clear blue skies, a light breeze and perfect conditions to stay outdoors – by yourself, no interaction with the germy masses. I have been celebrating Primavera (spring in Italian) enjoying the new growth, fruits and flowers developing and a new butterfly in my garden.
This is a Cloudless Sulphur butterfly sipping nectar from a White Geiger tree (Cordia boissieri) . I planted a Senna ligustrina, larval host plant for the Sulphur butterflies and they have graced my garden ever since.
Buds inside the cup of the Blushing Bromeliad (Neoregelia carolinae). The blushing is more exciting than the flowers.
Flower of Little Harv Bromeliad (Aechmea ‘Little Harv’) . The flower stalk is nearly 3 feet tall, I would like to see Big Harv.
Foliage getting a bit glaucous on Traveller’s Palm (Ravenela madagascariensis) I planted these as much for the trunk as the foliage. I love both, the story behind the name is a thirsty traveler could cut a stem and get a glass of fresh water, These are just about five feet tall and don’t quite produce a glass when cut.
Dragonfruit (Hylocereus) just starting to climb a fence post. These are a night blooming cactus that produce a somewhat odd fruit, sometimes called Pitcaya.
Surinam Cherries ripening, these are very deep red when ripe. Until they are very deep red they taste a bit like turpentine smells. A raw, piney taste. A friend makes jelly with the fruit and says it is very good. I leave them for the birds.
My Six for this Saturday. I have carrots and green beans in the garden. I might just make some Pasta Primavera for dinner. Cue Vivaldi..
Happy Spring!!
For more Six on Saturday posts, go to http://www.thepropagator.wordpress.com.
The Shrub Queen 
That fruit is certainly interesting looking & like yourself, I doubt I’d be pleased by jelly made from it. What a delicate butterfly you’ve got there.
LikeLike
I love the continuity of nature in the garden – it’s comforting to see that life goes on!
LikeLike
I so love sharing your exotica, warms my chilly soul. The butterfly is beautiful, what a wonderful name “Cloudless Sulphur”, so nice to say. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful butterfly. I’ve yet to see any in my garden this spring but am seeing reports of various ones nearby. The Traveller’s Palm is amazing.
LikeLike
Beautiful butterfly and so many amazing exotic plants. Those cherries are amazing. And keep on keeping away from those germy masses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz, I think you have amazing exotic plants ❤️
LikeLike
No way! I was not aware that you grew pitaya! They had been a fad in the Los Angeles region for a while, but not here. I just got my first bits this year anyway. I normally dislike fads, but I liked this one before it became a fad.
LikeLike
Will your Pitcaya produce Dragon fruit that you can eat?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Theoretically! I would settle for just flowers – it is a night blooming Cereus.
LikeLike