Grandmothers garden update

While at Chennai in April I took a few pictures of my grandmothers garden.. she does not get out much these days and it has unfortunately become quite an effort for her to go downstairs and spend some time in the garden. I thought these pictures would help her see what was blooming and how things were, to supplement what she was hearing from those who passed by.

Indiranagar Park

Every august the indiranagar park puts on quite a display of flowers, to match the independence day flower show at lalbagh. It is quite a treat with zinnias, salvias, hibiscus, asters, hollyhocks , cleomes and jasmines all in full bloom.

 

 

 

Grandmother's garden update

A recent visit to Chennai and I return with many pictures of my grandmother's garden.

Palm fronds.

Various crotons that need shelter from the piercing heat outside

Calathea ornata, in the process of shedding old leaves

New stuff in the garden

Crossandra

Jasmine

Heliconia Rostrata

Ixora

Hibiscus

White firecracker plant

Chilli

Banana and drumstick

Fish tail palm

Temple Trees - Lepakshi

The town of Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh is renowned for its beautiful temples - the main Lepakshi temple is a treasure trove of 16th century Vijaynagar empire art and architecture. The sculpture on the pillars and walls and the paintings on the ceiling were breathtaking.

So of course were the trees.

This bright red shoe flower was at the Rangansthala temple, on the way back from Lepakshi.

 

 

 At the Lepakshi temple I also encountered what I believe is the best example of camouflage that I have ever seen - a toad blending perfectly into the stone steps of the temple.

Chennai garden update

It is nice to be able to go back every now and then and see how the garden is shaping up in our absence. There is a lot of pruning and weeding to be done each time, all with the knowledge that it will be back to the way it is very soon. Nevertheless it seems like something that needs to be done, or perhaps we do it only because it is so therapeutic. To wander around, see what has grown where, what has bloomed, what has perhaps not survived.. it is all so wonderful.

Going close to the heliconias gives the impression of having entered a south american forest.. it has become so dense. There are blooms all over, the red twisted flower bracts hanging here and there.

There are other images, each as wondrous as the next.

tradescantia spathacea - variegated rhoeo

 

 

 

ming aralia

ming aralia