Page 44 - Spanish Insight - November 2019

By Lorraine Cavanagh, Viveros Florena, Competa, Malaga.
Lorraine Cavanagh is the author of the best-selling Plants are outside in the sun, wind and rain – just like Weekly bio food and health market on Wednesday
Mediterranean Garden Plants and Citrus, The Zest of in your garden! They’re well- loved but toughened and mornings.
Life. Lorraine has lived in Spain for 32 years and is a acclimatized to life in the hills. Catch our larger Spring and Winter Markets too!
mother, grandmother and hispanófila. Her passions This is a Mecca for plant-lovers, an Aladdin’s Cave Summer Hours:
are plants, the environment, Spain, food and drink, of plants - and Lorraine and her team are always on June, July, September, 9 – 2.
and travel. She runs, with her team, a very special hand to give loads of free advice and help in plant (Closed for the month of August)
garden centre – Viveros Florena - near Cómpeta, selection. Come and have a chat over a free coffee in Winter Hours: October to May, 10 – 4.
(Malaga), 2 km from the village down the Sayalonga their delightful patio area. Landscaping and Advisory We are always closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Road or 15 km up from the coastal motorway. First Service. Delivery within Local Area. Tel: 689928201
impressions are stylish – the place oozes “relax”. This Stockists of Organic Products and Neem oil, English E-mail: florenaspain@hotmail.com
is far from the conventional garden centre – plants Roses, a Rainbow of Irises, Trees, Shrubs, Bedding, Web: www.viverosflorena.com
are attractively arranged in a rustic setting of wood, Herbs, Fruits, Veg, Rare Citrus, Pots, Composts, Gift See us also on Facebook – Lorraine
bamboo, gravel, stone and cane. It’s a place with great Vouchers, Soap Nut Products, Shabby Shed Shop Cavanagh’s Garden Centre. "There are no Flies...
attitude, innovative ideas and, above all, personality. and lots, lots more …… only Foreigners!"

MedIterranean GardenInG by Lorraine Cavanagh of Viveros Florena, Cómpeta, Málaga Cómpeta
From Little Acorns… Wine Night Poster 1994 &

By Jim Lovelock
Lorraine Cavanagh

Quercus Ilex, Holm Oak/Holly Oak, Spanish: Encina

The largest tree in Andalucía, according to the Junta, is a thousand
year old holm oak. This giant of a tree, some 16m at its base, and 25m
high, is to be found in the province of Almería on the road between
Serón and the former mining village of Las Menas on the North face of
the Sierras – if you’d like to go and take a look or even give it a hug!

Quercus ilex is known to have formed a large part of the vast tracts
of forest which once covered 90% of Spain and it is a tree with a
long and mighty lineage. Quercus is from the Celtic kaërquez meaning
beautiful. It has been said that, to rural Spain, the encina was as vital
as seals were to the Inuits! It was certainly a cornerstone of traditional
culture and its decline started simply because it was so useful to man.
Its hard and durable timber was used to make furniture, flooring, tools enriches impoverished soils and it adapts to most soils and climatic
such as mallet heads, for firewood and, most importantly, for making conditions, though it prefers a dry climate. It is a great survivor and will
charcoal, and it was this trade that largely led to the huge decline in usually reshoot after fire.
numbers of the tree.
From little acorns grow great trees! Try it, they shoot surprisingly easily
Nowadays, it is only found covering approximately 25% of Spain’s and self-sown seedlings can often be found in the damp leaf litter
forested areas though there are numerous large and ancient examples under the tree. In their early years they can be transplanted with care;
of the tree. Where large areas of trees were cleared, much of the land later they are averse to being moved. A native of the Mediterranean,
was taken over by ‘maquis’ a rough scrubland made up of tough for those of us with large gardens or land, there are few trees that we
shrubs, herbs and wind-stunted trees. It is often a windswept and could more usefully plant. This is a tree for your grandchildren and
inhospitable landscape with little shelter from the harsh elements. In their grandchildren – it’s a real contribution to the environment.
other parts of the central plain of Spain and the Mahgreb, where the
trees have been managed, a pasture parkland, or dehesa, has been Give them lots of space for they commonly will reach between 20m
formed where holm oaks and cork oaks are the major proponents. and 30m tall with a very large evergreen canopy. The bark colour is
The Iberian pig free ranges through this pastureland feeding on the very dark, almost black, and cracked. The mature leaves are a dense,
acorns – the holm oak produces its acorns in summer whilst the cork dark green, tough and leathery with whitish-grey felting below. The
oak crops in winter. A hybrid of the two bridges the peak cropping younger immature leaves are a fresher green and somewhat spiny,
seasons; thus there is always feed for the pigs. The serrano ham like holly (hence it’s other common name), and these are usually borne
produced from these pigs bears the name bellota, meaning acorn-fed on the lower branches – believed to have developed as a protection
and is considered to be the best quality with a rich, distinctive flavour. against grazing animals. The flowers are catkin like, quite noticeable
Little will grow under its dense canopy but birds and small mammals and attractive and the acorns are pointed and dark brown. It makes
welcome its copious shelter and food possibilities. The dense leaf litter an excellent windbreak tree and is equally happy in windswept coastal
situations as the open central plains.

It was introduced into England during the sixteenth century, where
it is sometimes still seen in more southern counties. It will survive at
temperatures down to around -5C but does not like prolonged wet
weather, performing best with regular summer ‘bakings’ – something
that we can provide easily!

Yes, it is slow growing and we will not see it mature in our lifetimes, but
think of the great heritage you will be leaving for others – a gift to our
children and to our earth.

One for your diary – Viveros Florena will hold their Winter Market
on 4th December, open between 10am and 4pm.
With craft and artisan stalls, food and drink stalls, food trucks and live
music it’s always fun and fabulous! Come and join us.

And, don´t forget, our weekly Food and Health Market is every
Wednesday morning. Lots of organic fruit, veg, cut herbs and flowers,
home bakes, jams and chutneys, craft beers, artisanal cheeses and
organic wines.
44 Spanish Insight November 2019 It’s so good!