Garden Blogger's Blooms Day May 2008

There has been some relief from the intense heat thanks to some very welcome showers. Not only have the little drizzles managed to bring the temperature down but they have also ensured adequate hydration for the parched plants; for some reason (wo)manually watering the plants never replicates the magical effect rain-water has on them. So 15th May, 2008 in Indiagarden finds the Weather a tad less uncomfortable than expected, the plants in the ‘pink of their Health’; all ready to be a part of the Blooms day post started by Carol at Maydreamsgarden.The first in the list is Alpinia Zerumbet or Shell ginger.The flower is fiery yellow red inside and cool white and pink outside!! Hibiscus is enjoying the warm temperatures to the fullest... Cestrum Noctrum or the Queen of Night- Aroma is simply intoxicating at night! Plumeria is imparting a very Hawaiian feel to my garden... Malphigia Coccigera-flowers are very short lived, they come and go in quick succession during summer days. Sweet William,Gaillardia with Balsam in the background. Dahlia still continues to bloom despite the adverse temperatures...very surprising!! Sedum Morganium showcases its small delicate blooms...I had brought its cuttings from my Aunt's place in Dehradun. The frilly Dianthus with its intricate central design is truly nature's work of art. The twin blooms of Adenium also called Desert Rose... but one of them is getting sweltered by heat!

Beat The Heat

Human nature can be so capricious; there was a time, just three months back, when I was almost cursing the weather for being too cold, and today, with the May Sun shining overhead in its full glory at 43 degree Celsius, I am yearning for the ‘good old, nail biting, mind numbing, freezing’ cold days! The garden is feeling the heat too. Roses are drying, croton is definitely not looking happy with the weather. Temperatures here are now running in the Forties and they can be absolutely hellish in the noon; but when in I look at the defiantly standing heat loving plants I get inspired to not to be bogged down by the heat, instead to face the weather proactively without allowing it to sap my spirits out.

Ixora

Manihot Esculanta

Caladium

Quisqualis Indica or Rangoon creeper

Gulmohar

After all it might be intolerably, unbearably hot out there…But who minds the heat when it is also the time for the luscious Mangoes, juicy pomegranates – which are growing in my garden – lovely watermelons, muskmelons, litchis, peaches…not in the garden but available in the market. This juicy summer bonanza does take the sting out of summers somewhat. Summer is also the time for visitors of a different kind, like this Dragonfly(popularly known here as Helicopter insect), which thoughtfully paused for this shot!Times change and with it the weather; each season comes with its distinct flavor and frustrations; it is up to us to either savor the flavor or to whine about the heat. It cannot be easy to remain cheerful outdoors with sweat tumbling in loads and blood sucking mosquitoes trying to make the most of your presence, but with the beautiful blooms beckoning, I lift my spade and shovel and go gardening to reap the fruits of my Sweat and Blood – literally!

POT - TER MANIA

Garden is an ever changing place, brimming with life, with something new being added everyday. Be it the new bud which sprouts, the flower that freshly blooms or the winged garden visitor that chances upon this humble abode; things never remain constant. These are the ways nature acts to continually keep its creations interesting, and as is human nature I too felt compelled to add my own bit to the change, which I did by adding some Pots I bought from the roadside earthenware Pot vendors in Delhi. These beautiful earthenware pots are an ode to the potter’s wheel which is losing its relevance in the contemporary world to mechanization and Plastics. Cheap, Eco-friendly and very suitable for plant growth, these Pots, in various shapes and sizes are a delight to grow plants in. In a Hot and dry place, as is my part of the world, these earthenware pots are almost, and thankfully, irreplaceable; by virtue of their porosity they keep the plants cool even with scorching temperatures outside. Gardening has been one area where the synthetic alternatives have still not proved equal to a basic earthenware or clay pot, and thus, has ensured survival of traditional clay pottery art. A small time town near Indian Capital city, called Khurja, has developed this special kind of ceramic pottery painted in vibrant blue colors; a unique combination of clay with quartz and Feldspar, lending a lustrous sheen to the product. This beautiful creation from the austere Clay has put an otherwise non-descript town of Khurja on World Map. Thanks to the revival of an interest in ethnic and retro, the good things of past are making a come back.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day April08

Time sure runs fast, especially Spring season, which always appears ephemeral. Just a few days back – or so it seems – I was complaining about too much cold, and in a jiffy seasons have changed; already spring is beating a retreat. But, not before I have caught the spring splendor with the same old eyes behind a new pair of camera lenses. So here I enlist the blooms at Indiagarden as part of GBBD started by Carol at Maydreamgardens: Pansy Lantana Pink Oleander Roses Pentas Hollyhock Tomato bloom Californian Poppy Onion Bloom Pomegranate Carrot Flowers Gazanias Candytuft Gaillardia Marigold

Spring Sentiments

Some things simply prove to be a blessing in disguise! My old digicam developed some strange snag and won’t work howsoever hard I may try, it was pure misery. The first couple of days went showing the thing around to supposedly more electronically oriented friends of mine, but the problem, it seemed, was even beyond their technologically superior brains. It is so remarkable that whenever you are deprived of something, you yearn for it the most; precisely that happened to me as I saw beautiful blooms and butterflies, bees and birds, things I failed to appreciate with a working camera, but were beckoning when the damned camera won’t work.It was then that I decided that the time is ripe to reward myself with a brand new camera, a Sony cybershot H10. Armed with my new acquisition I set out to capture the dwindling charm of Spring in retreat. It is still a Rosy picture with spring deciding to stay a few more days before it is officially the start of summer season. Daytime temperatures are touching 33-35degreeC and the petals of this giant Dahlia appear to be a metaphor for the blazing Sunrays. Spring is comfortable and beautiful, and with it go the gorgeous butterflies but not before they have done their bit to help propagate the blooms. This little fruit is going to grow all the way into a sweet, luscious Mango and with my taste buds tingling in anticipation; I’ve a very delectable reason to look forward to summers. But these are the blooms in my life which do not come and go with season, which need more than usual pampering but then they also reward with such warm licks and hugs…

An Extended Weekend

Beautiful weather, School Holidays and an extended weekend (on account of Good Friday being a Holiday), things were just perfect for a weekend outing. This time I decided to spend the weekend at my Aunt’s place in Dehradun. Dehradun is a beautiful valley nestled in the Himalayan Mountains. Although it is a distance of only 72Kms from the city I live in, but the fact that it is a valley makes its weather so much better and suitable for growing plants. It is a beautiful house and very well maintained; I especially loved the tastefully grown plants.That is the walkway to the house; perfect rectangular stone pieces fitting snugly in soft grass… A perfect setting to sit back in silent contemplation on a leisurely day … The Euphorbia Tirucalli and a wine coloured Begonia,so different from each other, blend here in complete harmony. A creeper with some lovely flowers and interesting leaves...but what's the name? Sedum Morganium in a hanging basket. A Begonia in a small pot. Chuparosa or Justica Californica trained on a pole with flowers hanging like little bells. Clover leaf plant-it grows as weed over here, but this dark coloured variety is rare and thus ornamental. It was a short but very satisfactory visit, although b'coz of time constraint, I didn't get to explore the outdoor locales of Dehradun much... but very soon I wish to visit Dehradun again to capture its scenic beauty in my camera. ( P.S.-The plant identified here as Justica Californica is actually Russelia equisetiformis or Firecracker Plant. Thanks Nicole for pointing out the correct I.D.)

Garden Bloggers Blooms Day March 2008

Now that’s one time of the year to which I look forward to very eagerly; its spring time folks! And the blooms are all ready to be caught on a camera to be displayed in a GBBD post. Gazanias and Dimorphotheca Bougainvilleas Candytuft Poppies Phlox Nasturtium Begonia Gerbera with Phlox Rose Daisies Mango blooms Pansies Kalanchoe Sweet Peas And finally my good luck charm

Blooms, Bonsais and more....

Just when my frustration on the lack of any collective gardening activity in my city was brewing to the brim, there came this welcome news: a flower show was being organized by the Saharanpur Botanical Garden or the so called Company Bagh here. The Company Bagh takes its origin from the days of British Raj, during which this huge garden was developed with saplings and plants brought in from far off lands like Kashmir and Bengal; in fact Company in the nomenclature comes from British East India Company. It was much more than being just a flower show; there was a breathtaking array of beautiful flowers, painstakingly and patiently grown Bonsais, shapely succulents and cacti, plants which I never knew can be grown here…It was a very satisfying outing and did help in easing out my disgruntlement, stemming out of my perception regarding lack of any gardening sense in this place. There probably is no better treat for a plant lover than to see so many diverse varieties, in all splendor and bloom, aggregated at one place.

God's Own Country

Winters are on ebb and the spring sowings are waiting to bloom. In the absence of anything more exciting in the garden, I invited my hubby, fresh from the memories of his trip to south India, to write a post on his experience.. "There is something very amusing about living in a big country like India as I realized first hand when the opportunity to visit the southernmost part of country came my way. My job took me to the southern states of Kerala and GoaKerala is nick named ‘God’s own country’ and rightly so, as its natural scenery, backwaters, sprawling coconut trees and crystal clear beaches make it a near heavenly abode. Sea has always enamored me and this sojourn through the backwaters was Godsend I was quite surprised by the contrast southern India had in respect to where I live; it was like descending on a different civilization altogether. The weather was very hot and humid in contrast to the cold wave haunting us in North. Another difference, as I shamefully admit, was the exemplary cleanliness and discipline in the lifestyle of South in contrast with the chaotic North. The place abounds in coconuts and as generally happens locals devise ingenious ways to put the surplus to good use; these cute simians are made from sculpting a whole coconut; one can even hear the gurgle of the coconut water on shaking them! Southern India falls in the Tropical zone and the lush greenery testified to the equatorial climate of the place. Difference in weather was evident from the trees laden with unripe mangos, which do not appear before April on trees in North. Shortly after getting acclimatized to the changed weather conditions my tour took me to Kanyakumari, which is the southernmost point of Indian mainland A 15 min ferry ride took us to these two small pieces of rock, which may loosely be called Islands, although they are woefully small to be called so. It was here that the great Indian scholar, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda meditated in his final days and hence the rocks are named after him as Vivekananda rocks. In its final step the tour came to Goa, a place which was a Portuguese colony till as late as 1961 and was acceded to Indian Union in that year. There is a distinct Portuguese influence in the culture and ethos, and that’s exactly what I loved about the place; a testimony to the fact that an amalgamation of various cultures facilitated by the migrant population makes a place very interesting and livable. This Temple, Shantadurga, although a Hindu temple, has a church like façade and it aptly illustrates the influence Portuguese have had on the life and customs of Goa. Crystalline beaches dot the whole of Goan boundary alongside the Arabian Sea and the whole place appears always to be in a festive mood; there must be something related to the aura or to the vibrations being emitted by the jovial people there, that as soon you step on Goan soil you can feel a light and happy feeling inside. All this Sun, Sea and Beach Sand made me yearn for a sedate life near the Sea, but not before I have fulfilled my earthly obligations…not before I have collected enough memories to reflect upon in those sedate days..."

Garden Bloggers Blooms Day Feb15

Its time for another Garden Bloggers Blooms Day hosted on the 15th of every month by Carol at May Dreams Garden , but this time my GBBD post has a slight twist! As I have come to Delhi at my Mom's place for some time, the pics featured here are from a Community Garden in the colony where we stay. Spring is in full glory here.There were rows and rows of lovely Calendulas bordered by some Indian pinks. And there were rows of Sweet William bordered by very sweet smelling Alyssum.My cutie pie is happily providing scale:) There were these round beds full of some nice seasonal annuals beneath the lined Ashoka trees. Alyssum Verbena Phlox These two photos are of an unidentified bloom.I urge my blogger friends to help me identify it...b'coz it's lovely and I would like to grow it my garden too. In one corner of the garden were these somewhat neglected Kalanchoes (kalanchoe mortagei )blooming freely in gay abandon! The Garden was lined by some very tall Eucalyptus trees which were swaying happily in the spring breeze against the beautiful blue backdrop of crystal clear sky. My daughter rejoiced and very zealously posed for me. In this way my garden visit came to end, but I will always remember this garden which, though not very big in size, had certain very impressive features like lovely colour combinations, neatly cut hedges and myriad blooms.