Mussaenda

Mussaenda shrubs are found all over Barbados, most frequently in the salmon colour which, I believe, is easier to grow than the other varieties. It can also be found in white and a dark pink.

The large coloured areas that appear to be petals are actually the sepals and the tiny flower is in the center of these beautiful sepals, much like is seen in Bougainvillea.

Personally, I’ve never had any luck with growing these shrubs, but I do think they are quite lovely with the large soft covering of flowers against the darker green of the coarse leaves.

The flowers don’t last very long and aren’t suitable for a vase, but they do add a lovely splash of colour and a certain softness in any garden.

If you’d like to read more about Barbados, please visit my other blog, Things Barbados.

Tropical Flowers of Barbados

Red Hibiscus

Pink Oleander

Orange Zinnia

Women's Tongue Flowers

Salmon Anthurium Lily

Purple Allamanda

Black Pearl Flower

Orange Bougainvillea

If you would like to see and read more about Barbados, please take a look at my other blog, Things Barbados.

Dry Season in October in Barbados?

It’s October and still in our wet season, but as you drive around the island, signs of dry season are everywhere.

Undergrowth in the woods and bushes are thinning out, trees that normally lose their leaves and flower during the first four months of the year are losing their leaves now. We had quite a wet dry season earlier this year, and now we seem to be having a short (or perhaps dry) wet season.

Vegetation is very confused. Things that shouldn’t be flowering for another four months are flowering now, the avocado trees have hardly born any fruit this year, and many have not even flowered.

The mangoes have been in abundance - can’t remember the last time there were so many and consistently good.

I’m not sure what the official name is for a whole lot of dragonflies gathered together in one place - a swarm, a flock, a herd - I don’t know, but there was an enormous bunch of them behind my home a few days ago - something that we usually see in the dry season.

And the ants have started to come inside - another dry season behaviour when they are looking for water. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds!

If you’d like to read more about Barbados, please visit my other blog, Things Barbados.