Sicilian flowers that need the sun

Plumbago

Bougainvillea

Hibiscus

Plumbago

Hibiscus

Some years ago I stayed at a friend's house on a small Sicilian island called Panarea. It is one of a group of islands called Eolie , after the Roman god of the winds, Eolo .They are all stunningly beautiful. When we arrived after a long journey that involved trains and boats it felt like we were on another plant. I almost expectrd Mr. Spock and Captain Kirk to join us. The sea was like a mill pond, there was a heat haze so dense that we could see no other land at all. That night a thunderstorm rolled above us  and cleared the air. In the morning we could see the coast of Calabria, the Sicilian mainland and some of the other islands. Opposite Panarea is Stromboli, an active volcano. Sparks could be seen shooting up into the night sky. Lipari was a short boat ride away and was big enough to have roads and cars. On Panarea only little ape were allowed. They buzzed about all day carrying luggage to and fro from the boats, delivering goods and picking up passengers. Beautiful lush vibrant Mediterranean flowers grew abundantly and profusely everywhere . There were o Plumbago, Bougainvillea, Hibiscus thick, luxurious blossoms, trailing lazily along the terraces and lanes, proudly thriving in the searing heat.

Back in Northern Italy I try to grow those three plants to remind me of that magical island holiday . In the vivaio , the garden centre, the staff tell you they must be placed in direct sunlight, they need lots of sunshine to survive , to flourish. In the winter they need to be protected from the frost if they are to bloom the following summer. 

Hibiscus