On January 6th, 2011, ACACIA DEALBATA…

  landscape

the Acacia Dealbata, or yellow Mimosa, in bloom next to the Aurelian Wall

…the fragrant yellow Mimosa tree native to Australia whose clouds of clustered of bright yellow pom-pom flowers are the first sign of spring in the Italian landscape, is already in full bloom out in the back garden – probably since it is protected in a warm little micro-climate by the massive Aurelian Wall that surrounds the American Academy – well in advance of the March 8th Festa della Donna (the holiday of women for which they receive Mimosa flowers from the men).