March to April 2013 in our tropical garden

Unpredictable weather can be so annoying at times! Blasting sunshine with extreme heat and interspersed with sudden erratic thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rainfall have been the norm for the months of March and April! Hardy plants just love them while the less hardy ones especially newly planted or repotted plants simply dread such extreme sudden [...]

Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ with delicate fern-like leaves

Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ (Sprengeri/Sprenger’s Asparagus Fern, Asparagus/Emerald Fern, Basket Asparagus) Though commonly known as a ‘fern’ because of its delicate fern-like leaves, this beautiful ornamental asparagus is not in any way related to it. Instead, Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ belongs to the Lily family, and is much easier to grow than ferns that are fragile and quite [...]

Hemigraphis alternata, a colourful prostrate-creeper

Hemigraphis alternata (Red Flame Ivy, Red Ivy, Cemetary Plant, Metal-leaf) An attractive and colourful low-creeping herb that’s sure to draw one’s attention, especially mine! I do admit to being a sucker for just about any plant with variegated leaves! We were somewhat mesmerized when we first sighted those lovely ground-cover plants, less than two years [...]

Impatiens walleriana: flowers/foliage in psychedelic colours

Impatiens walleriana (Impatiens, Busy Lizzy/Lizzie, Touch-me-not, Jewel Weed, Sultana) When mixed varieties are group-planted in garden borders, parks and the like, Impatiens will hold you spellbound with its carpet of psychedelic floral colours! It is one of the most popular and best known bedding plants worldwide for its profuse flowering year round and ease of [...]

Fittonia albivenis (F. verschaffeltii) in a marvelous mosaic display

Fittonia albivenis (Mosaic Plant, Nerve Plant, Painted Net Leaf) No wonder this showy Fittonia species is aptly nicknamed Mosaic Plant! Its intricately-designed leaves with contrasting coloured veins will provide a marvelous mosaic display that will attract and captivate all season through! These beautiful ornamental foliage plants make great houseplants, especially if displayed on bathroom shelves [...]

Gerbera jamesonii (Barberton Daisy), in an explosion of dazzling colours!

Gerbera jamesonii (Gerbera Daisy, Transvaal Daisy, Barberton Daisy) Want an attractive and colourful floral display in your home? Choose the Gerber Daisies that will surely lend beauty and brightness, inside the home or out in the garden. They’re such a cheerful and vibrant lot and you’ll be spoilt for choice of floral colours that come [...]

Passiflora miniata (P. coccinea hort.) with flaming-red passion flowers

Passiflora miniata Vanderplank (Red Granadilla, Scarlet/Red Passion Flower) What a beautiful sight indeed! Live and flaming red flowers decorating the vining stems of Scarlet Passion Flower that were draped on a trellis built of dexon steel bars!

Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant) is beautiful inside out!

Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant, Cathedral Windows, Prayer Plant) Undoubtedly, the foliage of Calathea makoyana is striking and beautiful to say the least, giving it the accolade of being called the Peacock Plant or Cathedral Windows! Haha, it itself seems to know that for a fact too! From morning to late afternoon on bright sunny days, [...]