a little water

Lately I decided that my plants and I needed some shimmery beauty to excite us. So I did something. I took this old dustbin, put it in a terracotta pot, put some plants around it, put in water and then added some fish. The results were wonderful. The way the water catches sunlight, and the way it casts it reflections, has indeed made my garden alive.

A little water starts life, adds beauty, refreshes, rejuvenates, enlivens! Just a little water can add a serenity to your green patch that nothing else would. From bird baths, water plants and aquariums to fountains, waterfalls and ponds; choose one water feature, according to the size and nature of your garden, and see it stir the magic. Water attracts wildlife, which helps to pollinate the plants. Water will keep your garden temperatures low, and add humidity to the air to keep the plants from wilting. If you're putting fish in your water, you can get rid of mosquito larvae and also other tiny insects, too. So many targets with one aim!
Go ahead! DIY

my little Orange baby

Once upon a time long time ago, in the winters, when Orange seeds were literally littering the house (being used as well targeted shots) I sowed one little fat seed. It took a long time to sprout, and it's taking a long time to grow. Though it has been almost over a year, my little baby Orange is still far from being a toddler. It is still a teen tiny plant, but one that I'm really proud of; with its healthy erect stem and glossy green leaves. It loves the sun and well drained medium sandy soil. Its such a cheerful little guy! I thought I'd just celebrate its re-potting into a bigger pot with a short snappy post. So there!

I'm a very protective sort of guardian. I keep it in, all the time- the sunny happy baby. :)

Periwinkle- "Catharanthus pusillus"

Locally called sada bahaar(all time bloom), periwinkle is a great perennial for any garden. It blooms profusely all through the year and comes in a variety of colors- baby pink, fuchsia pink, peach, white, blue, mauve and deep purplish pink. I've got baby pink, Fuchsia pink and white colors at present. What is best about periwinkle, is that it can grow literally out of a handful of soil, and well too. I saw one with flowers all over, growing out of a crack in the cement! You can enjoy the sights of your heart's desire! There are no smells. : p

The flowers uncurl like this

sweet succulent "Aptenia cordifolia"

I got this plant from the weekly garden galore at Sunday market.  It is a succulent with wee little pink flowers. I looked up its ID from the internet; its called Aptenia cordifolia. This plant has really glossy leaves and gives out shocking pink, 1-2 cm flowers. It does well with little water and about 3 to 4 sunlight hours are sufficient.

First there's a tiny shiny swelling on the plant,

then the swollen part bursts into a plump bud,

then the bud starts to open,

and finally it forms a full round, fringed flower.

This plant spreads horizontally to cover ground and makes a great filler. You can even trail it.

This plant needs little attention to make it grow well. It makes up for the lack of this attention by holding it the other way; by sporting its bright blooms.The flowers look kinda red in the pics but they're actually bright pink. 3 cheers. Here's for a great plant.

more Moss Roses

 I posted about Moss Roses before. I'm doing it yet again. I bought some cuttings of orange, peach and yellow Moss Roses. I couldn't picture any flowers but the yellow ones (and poor picture quality at that, too).

 

  I planted them with another plant that does well with little water and lots of sunlight. The plants seem too wiry, but once they take root, they'll be wonderful. Moss Roses are a good choice for amateurs as well as pros. They'll liven up your pretty patch with bright colors and won't want a lot of attention. They only need well drained soil. And a regular check now and then for pests. I've found them to be juicy targets for Mealy bugs. Otherwise they're mighty fine.

 So, go ahead! Plant a lot of Moss Roses of colors of your liking and see your garden host little rainbows, now and then.

swirls and curls

At this time, in Pakistan, its a heavenly weather. Perfect for all the tropical plants and natives. Things are growing, and blooming. My Champa plant (for it really is too small to be called a tree) is blooming like crazy.

The fragrance is simply mind blowing.

The petals sort of uncurl, rather than open up. So it forms a pretty swirl.