Sunday, January 18, 2009

Mimosa

In Italy, bouquets of the mimosa flower are given to women on March 8, International Women's Day. It's a very pretty flower, but doesn't last very long once it's been cut. I prefer to look at the mimosa flowers on the tree just outside my front door. It blooms at about this time in January every year...by the time March 8 rolls around the flowers are long gone. The flowers don't last long on the tree either, but our visual pleasure is somewhat extended by the fact that this tree was grafted to another years ago. The bottom half blooms first and just when those flowers are fading, the top half of the tree explodes with color!

16 comments:

Leah Marie Brown said...

Your blog is fascinating. I have spent a lot of time in Europe, but never made it to Italy. I hope to go in the next few years.

If you get a chance, I would love it if you could visit my page.

rob said...

Oh, le mimose. Uno dei segnali inequivocabili della primavera in arrivo! ...non vedo l'ora!

VP said...

Happy for the blooming mimosa and the coming of the spring... but the flowers stink!

USelaine said...

Oh, I like the smell of mimosas! The overall texture of the leaves and flowers is so nice too.

Marcel said...

I have never seen mimosa, I think, but I will keep my eyes on your blog to see your entries on the tree up to the 8th of March..

Gerald (SK14) said...

to answer your question on mine - a bowling green is where people play the game of "bowls" - try http://www.tradgames.org.uk/games/Bowls.htm for information.

Fio said...

Grazie per il primo segno di primavera! Eh... non vedo l'ora...

Saretta said...

Leah, glad you like my blog! I would be happy to visit your blog, what's the site address?

What? Mimosa flowers have a scent? I've never noticed it...I think I've had sinusitis too many times!

Maria Verivaki said...

we used to have one of these trees - it got a little too big for its boots, so we had to cut it down...

Jane Hards Photography said...

I am so crap with flower names. At least I can now name this. Gorgeous image.

Chuck Pefley said...

I can feel the warmth of the sunshine and I'm oh, so jealous! Lovely image even if you haven't "studied" your camera manual. Making photos is really the best way to learn, though -;)

USelaine said...

Actually, the pollen of these is said to be one lots of people are allergic to.

marley said...

Gorgeous! Like sunshine :)

valeria said...

I love mimosa! I remember in Argentario it would blossom very early, but certainly not like in Molfetta!!! Here in the foggy north we'll have to wait and wait and wait...

Pat said...

Hi! I love mimosa, and here it is sold as a sign of spring...though I saw people already selling some downtown! The yellow is beautiful.

Ming the Merciless said...

I have to admit, I have never seen a mimosa flower until I started visiting the daily photo blogs. Someone from Europe had posted this amazing flower recently and I remember asking what it was.