Re: 'Nuptial Trees'
We're definitely talking about the same tree, Tim. In Greece the fruit
ripens in May, so at worst Northern Italy it would delay till June. By
the way, I'd like to take this opportunity to put in my plug for this
unjustly ignored Med. stalwart. The fruit is delicious, the deep bluish
green colour of the large sculptured leaves unusual, and the shape of the
canopy a typical 'architectural addition' whether to a neo-classical
Athenian courtyard (yes, there are a few left believe it or not) or
Italian, Spanish, Northafrican home orchards.
Cali
Tim Longville wrote:
> Cali - I like the cypress idea. And a lot more 'poetic' than anything
> we can offer in England. Here, it sometimes feels as though every
> father in the land must have opted for birth-gifts of a dozen
> Cupressus leylandii - and not just for daughters, but for sons as
> well, plus a horde of family pets!
>
> I don't think I've ever seen loquat in fruit so my info was purely
> book info. I've checked on the RHS journal item and Henry Cocker
> definitely says *late* summer. Difference between the climates of
> Greece and Northern Italy?? Seems a bit unlikely but it's the only
> theory I can come up with - and Mr C. presumably knew when the trees
> in his part of the world fruited.
>
> 'Loquat or nespole,' says Mr Cocker, botanically Eriobotrya japonica:
> ie, we're not dealing with a confusion-of-common-names? I've never
> come across 'nespole.' Italian? Meaning?
>
> Tim on the Solway Firth, Cumbria, UK, where winter is reluctantly
> giving way to a wan and raw pseudo-Spring
> Tim Longville
