THE SALT FLOWER

The so-called “macchia mediterranea” is an exceptional plant habitat characterized by various plant species, including evergreen shrubs from oleander to caper, trees such as holm oak and carob, and a number of aromatic plants that release wonderful summer scents into the air: rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, lavender, and laurel.

In Bonsol’s gardens we can boast the presence of many of the plant species just listed, but this season we want to focus on a fascinating evergreen shrub Limoniastrum monopetalum, known as the “salt flower,” a plant native to the brackish and arid coasts of the Mediterranean.Its ability to thrive in difficult conditions, such as saline and sandy soils and long periods of drought, makes it perfect for Mallorca’s climate.

During certain times of the year, Limonastrum can go unnoticed, but impossible to miss between late spring and summer when its silvery gray-green foliage is colored with a beautiful lilac bloom.

You can admire this extraordinary plant in all its splendor, especially in these flowering days, in the coastal green spaces of the Bonsol hotel cove.All the terraces are adorned with this compact and rounded ornamental shrub, which can reach a height of 50 to 100 centimeters and contributes to the creation of a unique and characteristic landscape.

In 2022, after a major pruning, made necessary by the downward over-extension of the Limoniastrum and to avoid future structural problems with the perimeter walls of the beach, we realized some empty spaces that needed to be filled in. It was virtually impossible to find the same species of shrub, especially with an equal color of flowers, so we relied on nature to restore what we had lost over time.

We selected healthy, vigorous branches and made a cutting, taking branches from the mother plant, cutting them at the right 45-degree angle and put them in water until the roots appear and then put them in potting soil and wait some time before transplanting them into the terraces.

Today’s blog tip is to take a nice swim in the Bonsol cove, perhaps equipped with one of our fun yellow and white inflatable donut and once you get to a proper distance (even 20 or 30 meters is enough) turn around and watch Limoniastrum bloom in all its glory, a true spectacle of nature.