Sunday 16 November 2008

Canopies

The uppermost leafy level of the garden;



It is 4.35 AM the day is clear, the moon still brilliant hangs on for a little while, the treetops are still filigree shadows.
Please click the pictures for details.


The Mexican Ferntree, Schizolobium parahyba also called Bucurubu. It can grow up to 40 m. It is a typical tree of secondary rainforests.

A tall tree Tipuana Tipu flowers with abundance in spring. In the foreground Noelle one of the Tibouchinas which can reach also a fair height.



Left, Pride of India, Jacaranda and Palms


The very tall Cuban Royal Palms. Be aware and careful when their huge leaves crash down.


This Bull Bay Magnolia tree displays its white scented chalice like flowers in spring.

Tibouchina Noelle and Thevetia.


Looking up one can see great patterns made by sun and shadow.



Marvelling at the huge palm leaves whispering by the slightest touch of the wind.



The New South Wales Christmas Tree, Ceratopetalum gummerifum, loses soon its white flowers. The pink calyx stays put and darkens with age and makes the tree look like adorned with red flowers. You can already see a little pink where the flowers have fallen.
Believe it or not:
In 15 minutes, the sun radiates as much energy onto our globe as humans use during an entire year.
Organic tip of the week;
Green Tea
Green tea a "true" tea, meaning it is made solely with the leaves of Camellia sinensis, that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures in Asia from Japan to the Middle East. Recently, it has become more widespread in the West, where black tea is traditionally consumed. Many varieties of green tea have been created in countries where it is grown that can differ substantially due to variable growing conditions, processing and harvesting time. Over the last few decades green tea has begun to be subjected to many scientific and medical studies to determine the extent of its long-purported health benefits, with some evidence suggesting regular green tea drinkers may have lower chances of heart disease and developing certain types of cancer
You can add Peppermint or Moroccan mint which gives the green tea a refreshing taste.
Caffeine
Green teas have about a third the caffeine content, by liquid volume, of coffee. Green teas contain two caffeine metabolites (caffeine-like substances): theophylline, which is stronger than caffeine, and theobromine, which is slightly weaker than caffeine.[

History
There is archaeological evidence that suggests that tea has been consumed for almost 5000 years, with China and India being two of the first countries to cultivate it. Green tea has been used as traditional medicine in areas such as India, China, Japan and Thailand to help everything from controlling bleeding and helping heal wounds to regulating body temperature, blood sugar and promoting digestion.



As the days get warmer evenings can be enjoyed outdoors by candlelight.

Thank you for your visit and have a nice week.

Copyright T.S.
All photos from my garden.

































14 comments:

Lilli & Nevada said...

wow! those are amazing

Maria said...

Hallo Titania, what a wonderful garden! I never had an idea of the abundance of secondary rainforests!
It is really amazing to see so many different flowers and huge trees covered over and over with blossoms in most spectacular colours and shapes!
Looks like paradise!
Enjoy your tea in the shade of the terrace!

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Thank you lilli for visiting.

Hi Maria, thank you for your comment. Yes, the trees are wonderful, the photos don't do them really justice. We had two very hot days, yesterday an awful storm with lots of destruction in Brisbane. Here in the valley we are very sheltered. It is still raining until Friday. Hope you enjoy nice autumn walks.

HaBseligkeiten said...

....das ist wirklich ein Paradies bei Dir. Endlich hab ich mal wieder ein bischen Muse für deinen Garten.
Die Schlange "Bella" ist mir schon ein wenig unheimlich, da bin ich doch froh, dass es bei uns nur Regenwürmer gibt ;)
Liebe Grüße und eine schöne Woche wünscht Dir,Heidi

Anonymous said...

Great selection!

Pia K said...

Oh, everything look so green, lush, pretty, colourful and relaxing! All this while we *enjoy* the first snow here, alas slush only, but the temperature has drastically dropped and it's freezing (as far as I'm concerned).

Now surely is the time for even more tea drinking at least! I'm not a huge fan of green tea, although there's one Earl Green that's fab and I've recently tried one called Sea-fire (Mareld in Swedish) that's not half bad either.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Danke Heidi fuer deinen Besuch. Ich nehme an dein Garten macht sich bald fuer den Winterschlaf bereit. Aber ich bin sicher deine Haende werden weiter werken an irgend etwas "Exquisitem".

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Thank you for the visit, Ilana.

Pia, I was not a fan of green tea. Since I have discovered to "lace" it with peppermint I like it, it is very refreshing.

Kerri said...

I can see that you're thoroughly enjoying your spring garden. It's looking very beautiful.The Noelle is a gorgeous colour!
I love that last photo, especially, and would like to enjoy a cup of green tea with you at that lovely table :)
I agree with Pia on two things...yes, it's freezing here! And I'm not a big fan of green tea, but I too like it with peppermint :)

MedaM said...

While your days get warmer ours get colder and colder. Your garden is like a paradise. I am honestly impressed with all those beautiful flowers and other plants. I tried to imagine myself sitting at that table, having a cup of tea and enjoying all that beauty you are lucky to enjoy every day.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Kerri;
medam;
I thank you so much for your kind comments. I would love to have a cup of tea with both of you. If ever you come this way, a cup of tea is waiting!

Sunita Mohan said...

I think I'm in love - with your Tibouchina Noelle.
What a wonderfully varied collection of trees, Trudi.

murgelchen said...

Hallo Titania,
es ist wundervoll durch Deinen Garten zu gehen, obwohl mir die Schlangen sehr suspekt sind.
Aber meine Kinder haben sich an den Bildern sehr erfreut.
LG,
Helga

LadyLuz said...

Hola Titania. As always, it's so lovely to come visit you. Seeing your jacaranda and magnolia reminds me of what we have to look forward to in our late Spring.

Fab photo of the moon - my, you were up early!