Flower power

Carrer Ramalleres

Hi! How is the week treating you so far?After the architecture of the past days, I thought I would treat you to some floral beauties today. (How does that sound?) You’d be surprised at the amount of flowers that grace Barcelona’s streets at this time of year!

One of my favourite flowers is the hibiscus. I want to get one for the balcony of the Cute Suite, but am unsure whether to get a red one like the very gorgeous one in the window (above) or a pink one like my neighbours have. Which would you prefer?

Carrer Notariat

Carrer Hospital

Does anyone know what kind of flowers these (above and below) are? I have no idea, but they are cute and very colourful, and seem to be quite popular around the neighbourhood.

Rambla del Raval

Rambla del Raval

Stunning, these lilac jacaranda flowers, aren’t they? There are loads of them around the centre of Ciutat Vella.

Barcelona prides itself on having quite a collection of exotic botanical species, and when walking around the city, you’ll often see a green, circular tile on the floor beside a tree informing you of its names, both the Latin version and the more commonly used one.

Plaça Universitat

This is a Parquisónia Espinillo (or so the tile informed me) which is originally from Mexico. And look who likes to hang out there, a Cotorra, which is originally from Argentina. Guess it must be a South American thing! (Just kidding!)

Cotorra

Plaça de Vicenç Martorell

There are several kinds of acacia tree in Barcelona. Above is one of them, which has yellow flowers. When they drop, they tend to form a golden carpet under the trees (which are very abundant here). The result is quite spectacular.

Has anyone got any idea what kind of bush this (below) is?

Plaça de Vicenç Martorell

Port Vell

Another favourite, the Bougainvillae. Such a delicate flower, yet often comes in such striking colours. I love it! And yes, you guessed right, I want one for my (other) balcony. So many colours to choose from though…

Carrer del Doctor Aiguader

I think the above tree might be a variety of acacia too. The one below is a kapok tree. Did you know the fluffy stuff from its pods used to be used as filling for mattresses, pillows, etc.?

Carrer del Doctor Aiguader

Plaça d’Europa

Another variety of acacia! Such pretty, delicate pink, fluffy flowers!

Plaça d’Europa

Gran Via de l’Hospitalet

More pink prettiness in this planter which I passed yesterday when I was out shopping for bedding. And I was also delighted to see, that flowers also sprout up between flag stones wherever they can. True flower power!

Plaça d’Europa