Project Poinsettia

I'm doing an experiment to see if I can get my last Christmas' poinsettia to turn red for this Christmas. Apparently you have to make sure it's in complete darkness for twelve out of twenty-four hours every day for three months. I've put it in the dark for three or four nights now; strictly 20.30 to 08.30. We'll see what happens.

Where is this?

These surprising images (for those who don't live here) are of the Aljaferia in Zaragoza. It was built more than a thousand years ago as a Moorish palace, and has gone through various transformations and restorations. For example, there is a deep dry moat which was added to the defences in the late 16th century and later filled in, to be restored in the 1980s. As well as a tourist attraction, the Aljafreia contains the  very modern Aragonese parliament.

Jupiter tree

It's all gone now, but last month the jupiter tree was in bloom; at least I think that's what it's called....at least it is or might be in Spanish. Anyway, it's a lovely little tree planted on a roundabout down the road from us.

By the time I took the photo it was past its best. The figure on the right is the statue of a dancer. There are four of them in the garden on the roundabout. 

Footnote: in English it's crape myrtle or  crepe myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, belonging to the 

loosestrife Family. Pity. Jupiter tree is such an evocative name!

Here's one I found in Cambrils, called plumbago. It's a beautiful colour.

Also called leadwort in English, the alternative names in Spanish are celestina, jazmín del Cabo (Cape jazmine) or jazmín del cielo (heavenly jazmine). Prettier names for such a pretty flower.  

2014 Here's this year's tree.