Castles in Spain

What a lovely place Nariz, truly beautiful. I enjoyed your photos, sorry I can't identify the climber, but its leaves seem familiar and the flowers are lovely. I thought the leaves were similar to a Wisteria, but probably not that. I am sure someone on here will be able to help.

That was a lovely castle. I would have enjoyed doing some drawings of it. Sorry I can't identify the plants lol.
Pitty it was so crowded in the town, but that's how they are isn't it. I hate them. I much preffer the countryside :o)

I'm with you there, Hywel!

Really enjoyed this trip Nariz...it does look a beautiful place to visit, and the rambler is one I grew when we lived in Catalunya....I've a feeling it's a type of Bignonia, very easy to grow and a quick climber, it's scented too if I remember it right...:o)

Great to see other places, Nariz! I thought the construction of the castle couldn't have been in Catalunya when I saw the photo. Then reading on I had my thought confirmed that it was in Extremadura.

I did a search for Bignonia but it doesn't appear to be this climber. To begin with Bignonia has red, trumpet shape flowers, its leaves are also held in pairs & not in 9 leaflets as in the photo above. There is a very similar species called "Cross vine" but again its description doesn't look like your climber above.

I looked in my Gardening in Spain book Balc......I'm sure it was a type of Bignonia, and it does come in pink as well as the deep orange...I had one of those too.....will have to wrack my memory harder!

Found it Nariz......have a look at Pink Trumpet Vine, it's Podranea Ricasoliana, from the Bignonia family.

Thanks Janey - so it's a kind of Campsis? There is an orange campsis growing up a tree just as we enter town and I realise now it's very similar. Any info on the plant with seeds? Your "Gardening In Spain" book sounds very interesting and possibly just the present for me for C*******s (are we allowed to say that word yet?). I shall have to leave a few hints around .........:o)

Well it's a Podranea...common name Port St John vine. I know the Campsis are trumpet vines, but the flowers of the Podranea are lighter and more delicate, like the leaves.

The book is Gardening in Spain by Marcelle Pitt. It was one I bought before we went....not sure I would recommend it though as there are so many plants not listed. I did buy Mille plantas from a garden centre...and that was great for everything....temps and areas. My favourite tree which did very well without much water was the Melia or Persian Lilac, a real beauty with beautiful glossy fern-like leaves, lilac scented blossoms and then in the autumn golden bobble fruits which lasted all winter, like Xmas decorations.

Thanks Janey. Lots of water here !!!!!!!!!!!!!! so I don't need to look for drought-resistant plants.

Of course Nariz! I forgot you were on the Costa Verde. Do you manage alright with the wet climate?

Yes fine. We've had a fantastic summer, often needing to water the garden, but as there are plenty of wells here and we're connected up to a natural spring we have no water problems like our compadres down south! We often have lovely dry sunny weather during the winters - apart from last winter of course - and, while it's lovely to see the fields with a flush of green after a few days' rain, it also means the weed and grass seeds in our garden are given a new lease of life, so we just have to stay on top of weeding before the whole garden is reclaimed by nature! :o)

Now I know its name I did a search & came up with some very pretty pictures of this vine. They match your photo very well!

Oh drat! I was convinced it was a climbing Hibiscus!

Sounds just right Nariz, we travelled through there a few times on our way to and from the ferry ports....very beautiful!

Friends often exclaimed when we said we were returning to the Picos for a holiday "What! AGAIN?????!!" and our reply was "When you've found Paradise, why go on looking?" So - yes, it is VERY beautiful and I'm still pinching myself to make sure it's not just a lovely dream. :o))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))