European Elder

This small tree creates quite a show in Spring with flat-topped clusters of tiny white flowers against a dense background of bright green leaves. The flowers are still occasionally used in simple fritter and bread recipes. When fully ripe, the small, juicy, purple-black berries are used to make jam and in times past they were considered effective prepared as a tradional medicine.

Scientific name: Sambucus nigra

Italian common name: Sambuco comune

English common name: European Elder

Wild Pea

Growing in a low, spreading tangle of vegetation with hundreds of blue and deep purple colored flowers, wild peas are a springtime art work of the highest perfection. Colonies of this herbaceous vine flourish in extravagant abundance on open sunny sites here at Gangivecchio and throughout the Madonie region.

Scientific name: Pisum sativum

Italian common name: Pisello selvatico

English common name: Wild Pea

Spanish Broom

For several weeks in Spring, clouds of sweetly scented, bright yellow flowers cover the green cylindrical stems of this shrub. Varying in size from small to large, depending on site conditions, Spanish Broom is common on dry sunny hillsides at Gangivecchio and throughout the surrounding countryside.

Scientific name: Spartium junceum

Italian common name: Ginistra di Spagna

English common name: Spanish Broom

Poppy

A favorite subject of painters and landscape photographers, the fiery orange-red flowers of poppies nodding gracefully in spring breezes create a shimmering presence (farmers might say 'infest') in cultivated crops, pasture lands and roadside vegetation at Gangivecchio and nearby areas.

Scientific name: Papaver pinnatifidium

Italian common name: Papevero pennatifido

English common name: Poppy

Sulla

Few plants of the Sicilian countryside can match the colorful display of bright red flowers that clothe this low spreading plant in spring. Whether you see it as a roadside volunteer or in a pure stand covering scores of hectares the glowing crimson color of its blooms is an unforgettable sight. In Sicily Sulla is cultivated as forage, silage or a hay crop for feeding sheep and cattle.

Scientific name: Hedysarum coronarium

Italian common name: Sulla

English common name: Italian sainfoin, French honeysuckle

Giant Fennel

If we were to select a single plant species as a symbol of Sicilian spring flora it would have to be Giant Fennel or Ferla. In mid-spring Giant Fennel produces an impressive upright bloom stalk as much as 6ft (2m) tall from a basel clump of fine textured foliage. This large, vigorous perennial is easily confused with the edible Fennel, which also grows in the area. A simple identity test is to crush a small sample of leaves. Ferla or Giant Fennel lacks the unmistakable sweet aromatic odor of edible Fennel.

Scientific name: Ferula communis

Italian common name: Ferla, Ferula

English common name: Giant Fennel

Flowering Ash

At this time of year Flowering Ash is one of the showiest native trees at Gangivecchio. Frothy white clusters of tiny flowers are fragrant and lavishly ornamental displayed against bright green masses of young foliage. In Sicily, this winter deciduous tree is well known for the Manna sugar which is produced from incisions cut into the bark of the trunk and branches. Manna is still sold locally in small packets for use as a sweetener as well as for various folklore medicinal purposes.

Scientific name: Fraxinus ornus

Italian common name: Orniello, Frassino da manna

English common name: Flowering or Manna Ash

Honeywort

One of the eye-catching wildflower beauties now found in open, sunny locations at Gangivecchio is Honeywort. The nodding yellow and purple blooms of this hardy annual open in clusters at the tips of upright stems that recurve gracefully toward the ground. The effect is a bold stroke of form and color that enriches the fast growing spring flora of the countryside.

Scientific name: Cerinthe major

Italian common name: Erba vaiola, Succiamele

English common name: Honeywort

Borage: appetizing, attractive and curative

What to do with this native herb that is attractive in bloom, deliciously edible and -according to traditional folklore- has medicinal properties as well? That's the dilemma we face here at Gangivecchio when Borage appears in March and April.

Most often we enjoy it cooked like spinach, but small tender leaves can be added fresh to salads. The bright blue flowers are sometimes candied or used to color tea or vinegar.

Scientific name: Borago officinalis

Italian common name: Borragine

English common name: Borage

And now...the Anemones

Just a five- minute walk from Gangivecchio, along an old country lane, lies a sunny slope where this little perennial adds splashes of vibrant spring color, in shades of pink and lavender, to the awakening natural landscape. Several other anemone species and hybrids that vary in size and bloom time are popular garden plants.

Scientific name: Anemone hortensis

Italian common name: Fior-stella

English common name: Anemone

Narciso

Drifts of this delicate little narcissus are now making quite a show in nearby fields of young wheat and along roadsides. Waxy white petals, a short yellow cup and an intense fragrance make it easy to identify.

Scientific name: Narcissus tazetta
Italian common name: Narciso nostrale
English common name: Cream narcissus

Mimosa

The abbey courtyard is now ablaze with the exquisite beauty of this small acacia that produces masses of bright yellow puffball flowers in late winter.

Scientific name: Acacia dealbata

Italian common name: Mimosa
English common name: Silver Wattle

Terrestrial orchid

The first terestrial orchid of late winter to appear at Gangivecchio. This one is making an impressive display on the shady bank of the old road that leads down to the olive grove.

Scientific name: Himantoglossum robertianum

Italian common name: Barbone di Robert

English common name: unknown

Another sign of spring

The first flowers of spring are popping up everywhere around beautiful Gangivecchio and reminding us that all of the rain over the last month was necessary and good. The picture above was taken by GV residents Dr. Charlie and Shirley Sacamano and shows the early flowering of scientific name Calendula Suffruticosa. Its Italian common name is "Fioranncio Fulgido" ("Pot Marigold" in English).

A New Partnership

Gangivecchio is excited to be working with the US-based Women Chefs & Restaurateurs and adding to their scholarship offerings. One scholarship recipient chosen through the application process will have the opportunity to stay at Gangivecchio and experience seven days of cooking, gardening, shopping at local markets and soaking up all that Gangivecchio and Sicily have to offer. The WCR will offer up to $500 for travel expenses and Gangivecchio will provide room and board at no cost to the recipient. The 2008 WCR Member Guide dedicates a full page to Gangivecchio and it is beautiful! The online version can be found here.

Good luck to all the applicants. We can't wait to welcome one of you to Gangivecchio!

A Presto!

Buon Anno! Happy New Year!

Snow has fallen on beautiful Gangivecchio a few times already this winter but RAIN is the big story these days. The first picture is of the Tenuta--looking west from the (winter!) garden of GV residents Dr. Charlie and Shirley Sacamano--and the second shows the fountain. Thanks to Charlie and Shirley for these and many other photos posted on the GV website.

There is one more Italian holiday tomorrow and then 2008 will officially begin. The registration of the Gangivecchio Foundation in Sicily will be complete within the month and we hope to finalize things in the US by the middle of February. Work on the nature trail continues and plans are coming together for the kitchen garden to ensure plenty of very local ingredients for the Gangivecchio kitchen. 2008 at Gangivecchio is certain to be a year of reflection and discovery. The past will guide us in our restoration and preservation efforts and be honored as the new Gangivecchio Foundation charts its course. Mille Grazie to our dear friends near and far for caring so much about our little part of Sicily. We hope to see all of you here in 2008!

A Presto!