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.

Best Out Of Waste

Lately there was a lot of talk about environment conservation on the blogophere with many bloggers giving their thought provoking takes on eco-balancing and environment protection. Coincidentally about that time I had a chance to visit the ‘Rock Garden of Chandigarh’ It is a marvel of a common man’s imagination. The garden was conceptualized by an official of a transport office, Mr Nek Chand who wanted some space to pursue his deep passion for sculpting and gardening. He cleared a patch of jungle and started making sculptures with whatever he could lay his hands on, working mainly at night out of the fear of being detected in the day. When finally authorities came to know of the existence, initially they were appalled on the illegality of the creation, but then pragmatism prevailed and judging the artistic quality and potential of the thing, they gave him an official sanction and a grant to carry on with the job.

Click to enlarge

As it stands now, the garden has immortalized the creator and is a major tourist attraction of Chandigarh. Who would have thought of using condemned telephonic wires or electricity sockets to be made into something as artistic! The matted roots looked so real that I had to touch them to confirm that they are actually carved out rocks! Rows and columns of pots used to create partitions. Broken bangles, discarded pieces of broken china, house hold plumbing…almost anything, inanimate and existing, has been used to sculpt these cute figurines. Works like these are an inspiration. It’s not just the beauty that one appreciates; these places stimulate one to be creative, imaginative and loving towards Mother Nature.I hope my little one learned a thing or two from the visit. As of now she is infinitely more interested in breaking things than to create any thing worthwhile from broken objects:-)

A Brush with Paradise

I love rains but the humidity which invariably accompanies the rainy weather here, sucks the life energy out. Tired and exhausted by heat and humidity I planned an escape to the hills. About three hours drive from Saharanpur is the scenic hill station of Mussourie. Located in the heart of mighty Himalayas and at an altitude of about 2550 meters, it is aptly nicknamed ‘the Queen of the hills’. Driving up the sinuous roads and dicey curves, one can feel the change in air and gradually changing vegetation from deciduous to coniferous type. Greenery greets the sight all around, on the rocks, on the rooftops, even on the tree stems ‘Awe’ is the emotion which predominates when one looks at the mighty, looming figures of some of the tallest peaks of the world but for me the best part was the sight of beautiful fuchsias, hydrangeas, begonias, blooming merrily all over, without any significant effort on the grower’s part! Remarkably these succulents-Aeoniums were omnipresent here, although I logically associate them with places having hot dry weather unlike Mussoorie. It is a heady feeling to be at 3000mts above the sea level and my little one could appreciate that as she enjoyed the rickshaw ride. These cycle rickshaws are ubiquitous all over India and are a very popular means of local transport here, even in hills. The grit and stamina of hill people is legendary, as these people fight the daily vagaries of a life on hills. Tourism has brought better living conditions for them but has also eroded their rich and vibrant culture. Thankfully, there are virginal hills, as yet untouched by large scale human invasion and there the colors of a tribal hill culture can be seen in their pure natural state Inspired by their traditional attire my little one decided to try one herself and the result…not bad… what do you say? Roaming around in the relative tranquility of the hills, I came across shops displaying their beautiful wares. There were lanterns in exciting colors with some intricately carved and decorated pots . Then there were Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses invoking reverence and love. A leisurely stroll, down the road and I find this ‘weeping willow’, reminds me of the whooping willow of Hogwarts of the Harry Potter fameFew kilometers away from the main town authorities have very sensibly designed a garden; known as ‘Company Baag’ (‘Baag’ is Hindi for garden). To be there is an aesthetic experience par excellence. Cool air of the mountains, laden with the aroma of fresh blooming flowers, fill the nostrils and the view of the town and tall coniferous trees takes the breath awayThe Dahlias seemed to be smiling at me for the look I had; like a mortal lost somewhere in the paradise! I had to have the pleasure of enjoying a boat ride in this artificial lake 2500 meters above the sea! Like all good things my brush with paradise had to come to an end. My angel agreed for one last pose before we return to heat and humidity, worries and work… but then that is life and we are fortunate to be living it…

The Garden of five senses

As plant lovers, maybe, we all fantasize about having a garden with an assortment of different kinds of plants yet there is a limit to which we can realize our fantasies howsoever economically endowed one might be. Well maintained Public Parks come reasonably close to help us enjoy our dreams as I discovered while enjoying walk in one such park in New Delhi. Aptly named “The Garden of five senses” the park had some really beautiful flowers in full bloom filling the evening air with their heavenly aroma. Thankfully it was the month of March, and the garden was blooming, with the colors of spring all over. No! It is definitely not a desert, at least not yet! (Although it just might soon be, considering the global warming and lack of rains); this ‘ship of desert’ was enjoying the sun right at the centre of the garden. Later, I found that the camel was hired by the authorities for the children to enjoy a ride Now that was an interesting find! This low spreading tree was teeming with mini-chandelier like flowers. Still searching for its name though. Its heart shaped leaves resemble those of Disanthus but the flowers are quite different. These beautiful cacti and succulents were providing perfect contrast to the flowering plants. Agaves and Yuccas were basking in the glory of evening sun. Finally, this beautiful specimen(which is actually a fountain!) created by man, attempting to mimic nature, was standing romantically against the backdrop of setting sun. >