We continue our close-up look at the most common flowers found in the gardens of Antigua Guatemala with Hortensias the common name (which most people in the US call hydranga) or Hydrangea marophylla its scientific name. This particular flower (which most people in the US call hydranga) has an additional lesson for me. You can … Read more
This week we will take a closer look at some of the most popular flowers found in the gardens of Antigua Guatemala. I’ll start by sharing a close-up look at a flower commonly known as Cinco negritos, scientific name: Lantana camara (Guatemala). This flower bouquet measures about 4cm / 1.5 in. A bush measures about … Read more
Jacaranda trees bloom during Cuaresma [Lent] and Semana Santa [Holy Week] and this year is no exception. All activities for Lent and Holy Week were canceled in Guatemala to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, yet you can see the purple banners, flower decorations above doors and windows and, of course, the jacaranda blooms. Show … Read more
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Bugambilea for Bougainvillea. Even though La Antigua Guatemala is known as “the city of the perpetual roses”. In my humble opinion, this slogan should be changed to “The City of the Perpetual Bougainvilleas.” Bougainvillea is a genus of thorny ornamental vines, bushes, or trees. The inflorescence consists … Read more
Even though we are under quarantine and lockdown national mandates, we still get a chance to enjoy the sunshine and flowers found in the gardens of Antigua Guatemala. And so do you through the daily multimedia updates I have been sharing with you since May 2006. Now that life has given me a lot of … Read more
The Strongylodon jade vines are commonly known as emerald vine or turquoise jade vine; although in Antigua Guatemala the popular name is Jade tumbergia. The Strongylodon jade vines are not as commonly found as the colorful and odd-looking flowers of the climber plant known as Tumbergias (tunbergia misurense is the scientific name); but once you see them … Read more
As I have shared with you before, these vibrant yellow or maroon spotted with yellow strange-looking flowers are the gift of a climber plant known locally as Tumbergias (tunbergia misurense is the scientific name). Tumbergias are very popular in the gardens of Antigua Guatemala. Tumbergias are also quite popular with bees and hummingbirds because of the amount of nectar … Read more
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Orquídea for orchid. Did you know that Guatemala has more than 1,000 species of orchids? 700 of those orchid species are endemic to Guatemala.
Colorful poinsettias are the most popular Christmas decoration in and around Antigua Guatemala. Here you can see the vibrant scarlet bracts of the pascuas, as we know poinsettias in Guatemala, decorating the second floor corridor of the Palacio del Ayuntamiento, city hall building, of Antigua Guatemala.
Here’s your illustrated Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Pascuas for Poinsettias. With each passing year, poinsettia growers develop new colors and patterns for the pascuas in addition to the traditional crimson poinsettias. Just look at the new colorful poinsettias available this Christmas season in the picture below.
Even though the Flower Festival is held on the weekend only, there are still remains of the flower arrangements and decorations all over town.
Did you know that Antoine de Saint-Exupéry‘s The Little Prince is based on the surroundings of Antigua Guatemala and Lake Atitlan? Let me know if you would like to hear the story behind it and I will update this post to include everything I know about it. Spoiler alert: the tale includes two love stories, another … Read more
With each new edition of the Flower Festival of Antigua Guatemala, the flower arrangements and decorations become more complex and elaborate; the creativity of the Panzas Verdes is certainly always blooming.
It is common practice in and around La Antigua Guatemala to decorate fountains with flowers, especially during the Flower Festival of Antigua Guatemala. Would you like to know where you can find this fountain or do you know where it is located?
These particular marigold flowers are known as cempasuchil in Mexico or simply as flor de muerto, flowers for the dead, in Guatemala and Central America. The flowers of the dead are widely available during October and November and many people take them to the cemetery on Day of the Dead to decorate the tombstones and … Read more