Foreign Plants in my Files

You from the temperate climates have been posting these flowers a few months back in time for your spring. Many blogs I follow take turns posting these flowers, and I've always been elated at them, even if they seem to be the same. That goes true for the crocus and the gallanthus. Crocus differs in colors and forms, but gallanthus is different, except for some patterns and multipetals. Despite its always drooping habit, it is always beautiful and admired.


Now that you are past posting them, it is my time to post mine. They had long been in my files, but I always think of them even if they are alien to our climate. The story and the habitat behind these photos are so special. They are found growing naturally at the top slopes of the rocky mountains of Antalya, Turkey, almost near the snow caps. When the ice melts these flowers start to bloom and the people in the area hold "The Snowdrop Festival" with festivities, dances, and food. Lots of tourists also come. Being in that city that time, we were lucky to be invited to join a group attending the festival. And i didn't think twice in joining. A three-hour trip to the top is an experience of a lifetime.

Rocky mountains of Ibradi, Antalya,Turkey

 That was my first time to see crocus, gallanthus, grape hyacinth, and a lot more flowers i still don't know until now. They just look like weeds in their natural habitat, but very fascinating. I was also smitten with the white flowers of the wild plums (below). They grow just near the roadsides at random.

I found the above flower in a container in front of a hotel, which magnify its importance. But i haven't been able to know its name. A later comment supplied its name as Lotus bertolii, thank you very much to Veronica of Tassels and Twigs 

Lastly, this is my favorite flower, Wisteria sp.  I found it for the first time in Sweden trained in a habit much different than this one! I was told that we already have this in our country, but was observed to be invasive, which stopped me from planting it.

         

ID Quest Solved, Wisteria sp.

My previous posts in October about plants/ornamentals found in Antalya, Turkey were not fully identified. I am not so good in looking for IDs in the web, or maybe i need more time. There is this very beautiful plant with wonderfully hanging bunches of lavender flowers. Actually, i thought it is a tree but on the final analysis, it actually is a climbing tree-vine, depending on how old the plant is and how it was trained from planting. I am very glad i found the blogsite of The Galloping Gardener in Autumn Belle's My Nice Garden. She has wonderful awesome photos of gardens mostly in UK and great writing style, so i immediately put her in "My Favorite Links". Thank you very much Charlotte for identifying my unknown flower as Wisteria. Now my mind can rest happily and contented! The world is really full of generous-blessed people.
I realized Wisteria has around ten species, and it takes time to get the wonderful tree-vine to flower profusely. I remember in Svalov, Weibull AB in Lund, Sweden (where we stayed for one month in 2005), the old main building facade is fully covered by this vine. I just was not able to get a better photo.

I am reposting the photos from my previous post, and reiterating my thanks to Charlotte of The Galloping Gardener. The Wisteria sp. is a tribute to her. More power to you and best wishes.