A member of the honeysuckle family is my guess too but there are nearly 200 species so it’s hard to tell from the distance that the photo was taken. Not native to Italy (but China) so it could have been a byproduct of Venice’s maritime trade!
Thanks, as always. Photos seem to confirm Lonicera fragrantissima (honeysuckle family, as you said). As for plants and Venice, perhaps you know that the Venetian Republic established a botanical garden in Padova in 1545, now the oldest academic botanical garden in the world that is still in its original location. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orto_botanico_di_Padova
Something about those flowers makes me think of azaleas. I love pussy willows, too. Years ago a knew a woman from Austria who ran a ski hotel in a not to be named resort. She was a popular woman in town and often invented her own version of the English language. Anyway, she called them “willow pussys,” and quite enjoyed the use of “pussy” that way. Yes, she was a bombshell. She got a lot of attention around town. Probably still does!
For me the snowdrops beneath my shrubs announce that the worst of winter is passing… they are followed by such bright yellow crocuses that they almost make your eyes ache after the gloom of winter. The daffodils, muscari and pussy willow and many others including flowering currant bushes, follow swiftly behind in my garden.
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Lonicera fragrantissima is my guess…”Sweet Breath of Spring”, “Winter Honeysuckle”, “January Jasmine”, and “Kiss Me at the Gate” are all common names!
Outstanding! Thank you!
A member of the honeysuckle family is my guess too but there are nearly 200 species so it’s hard to tell from the distance that the photo was taken. Not native to Italy (but China) so it could have been a byproduct of Venice’s maritime trade!
Thanks, as always. Photos seem to confirm Lonicera fragrantissima (honeysuckle family, as you said). As for plants and Venice, perhaps you know that the Venetian Republic established a botanical garden in Padova in 1545, now the oldest academic botanical garden in the world that is still in its original location. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orto_botanico_di_Padova
There scattered oft, the earliest of the year, are swathes of violets found.
Lovely. Citation?
The folly of relying on memory.
There scattered oft, the earliest of the year, by hands unseen, are showers of violets found.
Thomas Gray will be spinning in his grave.
Something about those flowers makes me think of azaleas. I love pussy willows, too. Years ago a knew a woman from Austria who ran a ski hotel in a not to be named resort. She was a popular woman in town and often invented her own version of the English language. Anyway, she called them “willow pussys,” and quite enjoyed the use of “pussy” that way. Yes, she was a bombshell. She got a lot of attention around town. Probably still does!
There is an app called “Picture This” that I use to identify plants as I roam around. You might enjoy it!
Great Honk! Just what I’ve been needing. Thanks!
For me the snowdrops beneath my shrubs announce that the worst of winter is passing… they are followed by such bright yellow crocuses that they almost make your eyes ache after the gloom of winter. The daffodils, muscari and pussy willow and many others including flowering currant bushes, follow swiftly behind in my garden.