The last of the almond blossoms have been ripped from the trees by the continuing wind. When I first arrived in Mallorca, 30 years ago, it seemed as if the whole island wore a dazzling white blanket of blossom. There were 65,000 hectares of almond trees in production back then. It was a major crop on the island. Now there are just 7,000 remaining, and almonds are projected to disappear completely by 2035.
A perfect storm of drought, construction, and a nasty bacterium called Xylella fastidiosa that hit the island ten years ago has brought about their demise. This wicked bacterium is spread by tiny spittlebugs to almond trees, citrus trees, and grape vines. There is no cure. The first symptoms are usually scorching on the leaves as if they’ve been burnt. Gradually the whole tree or the vine dries up and dies. If you have an infected plant, it’s vital that you completely dispose of it to prevent spreading the disease. And don’t even think about planting new almond trees. Those days are over.
Here’s another beautiful tree that comes with a warning. The Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) is gorgeous during its long bloom time. The crown of the tree takes an umbrella shape as it grows, making it perfect for summer shade. The fluffy pink blossoms fill the air with a delirious scent. In winter, the leaves disappear, allowing the sun to penetrate. It’s drought-tolerant and requires no watering in summer.
Really, it’s the perfect tree. So how did it make my life a living hell? It was my own fault. I was the numpty who decided to put it right next to the front steps leading up to the entrance of our house. And the tree really did provide welcoming shade. The leaves appear in spring, followed by a canopy of pink blossom that endures all through the summer.
Heavenly. Except that those flowers continually dry up and fall to the ground along with piles of dust-like pollen. All summer long and into the autumn, I was sweeping up vast piles of debris from this one tree. Then come a mountain of seed pods and tiny leaves that continue up till winter. Because it was shading the entrance to the house, the area had to be swept constantly. It’s the only healthy tree I’ve ever chopped down. If you ever decide to have a Persian silk tree, be sure to place it somewhere you don’t mind having piles of mess.
If you’re ready for colour to brighten up your garden, I think we’re well past any frost danger. It’s safe to set out spring flowers. Nothing beats the old-fashioned standbys: Impatiens (Busy Lizzies), wallflowers, and bedding Begonias. These all give a pop of colour that will last until summer.
In Mallorca, they do best in pots because they need regular watering. We don’t have the luxury of weekly rain to satisfy their needs. In the photo, you can see that I’ve lined the garden steps with pots of Impatiens and bedding Begonias to create a cheerful passageway. I push a few fertilizer sticks into the soil around each plant to keep them healthy. I pop off the seed heads each time I pass, and this ensures endless flowers. Impatiens do well in shade and even better with early morning sun. Plant them close together, about seven or eight inches apart to get this abundant look.
Fern Penrose
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