Aug 27 - Santa Cruz Waterlily Featured in the Botanic Gardens for the First Time in History
For the first time in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens’ history, the giant tropical water lily Victoria cruziana, has grown successfully. The species is native to Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay and featured prominently in French Impressionist Claude Monet’s famous series of works.
Victoria cruziana produces very large leaves and, crucially for its cultivation in Gibraltar, it can tolerate somewhat lower temperatures. However, growing it outdoors in the Mediterranean still requires considerable skill and the success has largely been down to the horticultural expertise of Gardens employee Guillaume Le Texier, who had experience growing the species at other botanic gardens.
Oliver Bailly spokesman for the EU Commission yesterday outlined the visit of a number of specialists to the Gibraltar – Spain border, in order to evaluate the situation that has occurred due to ever growing tensions. A report on EU Commission news site Eur Activ, insists that Gibraltar and Spain are expected to enter into dialogue to solve the dispute in the spirit of cooperation.
The Royal Gibraltar Police has arrested and charged two local men following an investigation after a car was set on fire in the Upper Town early on the morning of Saturday 24th of August.
The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, has again today, before his departure to the United Kingdom, met with the Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Feetham, to brief him on the latest aspects of ongoing matters with Spain.
