About us

With our eldest grandchild, Dylea at our gardenWELCOME TO OUR ‘HUMBLE ABODE’ :-)

Let me introduce us! I’m Jacq, (a shortened version of my actual name Jacqueline) and am also the other half (better half? ;-) ) of John, my beloved spouse cum best friend! We’re retirees in our golden years, residing in Kuala Lumpur, West Malaysia. I’ll be the one sharing all the posts here but he’ll be my pillar and ‘sleeping partner’ so to speak. Most of my writings will be focused on our very own tropical garden, the place that provides us with our daily dose of joy, peace, wonder and amazement!

We’ll try to pack this blog with a plant database or encyclopedia, with our garden plants as starters! We are neither botanists nor entomologists, just passionate gardeners and nature lovers. Though we’re aware that this is a mammoth task, we’re committed and will persevere as it will be a labour of love as well.

For ease of exploring and manoeuvring this website, we have categorized our passion and interests in the following manner:

Almost all photos contained in this site were taken by us, unless otherwise stated. Plants and nature identification, plus some details were sourced and compiled from the internet and elsewhere. Thus, we will not be liable for any inaccuracy or damage resulting from your visit here, though we’d appreciate to be informed should you notice any incorrect entry or broken links.

The website and its contents (including text, images and photographs) are freely provided for your personal information, enjoyment and educational purposes. Any duplication or publication of the contents herein for commercial gain without explicit written permission from the owners or photographers constitutes breach of trust and violation of copyright.

Hope you have enjoyed your visit.
Thank you very much and do visit again. :)

You can find Jacqueline, elsewhere at :

Warmest regards,
John&Jacq Chin

Last edited: March 27 2011

100 Responses to “About us”

  1. Marion Says:

    How lovely to find your serene site.
    I am looking forward to studying ,and enjoying your methods of presenting photos to show the special delicate living things of our world
    Blessings to you both and your loving family,
    Marion.NZ

  2. Jacqueline Says:

    I’m absolutely happy you’ve found it, dear friend. And thanks alot for taking the time to leave your kind comments and blessings, all of which are much appreciated. Hmm…hope you won’t be disappointed with what I can offer here! ;)
    God’s blessings to you and family too.

  3. Akbar Says:

    Hello there, I love your photos. They look great. I have one plant that I purchased early summer that did not even have a tag. I didn’t know what it was until I saw your photo on web. Duranta Erecta, that’s what it’s called. Until now it stayed in a pot on the balcony I was wondering if it can stay outside or it has to come in for the winter. We live in Atlanta, and we will get a week of freezing weather. What do you think? Thanks

  4. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Akbar! Thanks for your kind words and we’re glad to have been of help. Regarding your Duranta erecta, we’d suggest that you overwinter your plant indoors just to be safe. Moreover, since it is a potted plant, it can be easily relocated indoors, don’t you think so? ;)

  5. Am Says:

    I got to this site doing a search for “spider plant Bonnie” (which I just acquired). A very useful site, thank you so much for setting it up. Also, I must comment that you have the most beautiful home garden I have seen ever, with all your plants looking unbelievably healthy. Cheers

  6. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks so much, Am! Such uplifting assurance and feedback really warms our hearts and put a big smile on our faces. Hehe…of course, only the healthy and pretty ones are presented, the unsightly aren’t! :D

  7. Renate Says:

    Hello,

    I am looking for seeds of Christia vespertilionis and found your website. There is a great work with a lot of plant information especially propagation tips.
    I have a little question. Could I buy some seeds from this plant?
    I am would be pleased to hear from you again.

    Sunny greetings
    Renate

  8. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks for your kind words, Renate.
    Regret to inform you that we do not collect seeds of any kind to sell them or exchange. Hope you succeed in your search though.
    Cheers! :)

  9. Laurie Says:

    Hello, I just found your site. I was reading up on the Imperial Blue Cape Plumbago I just purchased and found some very useful information. I will be trailing it up a fence on a trellis with not much room for it to expand outwards. I hope it works. I will be visiting your site again for more good information.
    Thank you,
    Laurie

  10. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Laurie!
    I’m so delighted that you’ve found the article useful. Thanks so much for taking the moment to pen your thoughts and appreciation.
    Great idea about training your Plumbago on a trellis – I can just picture the fabulous eventual effect of its cascading branches of blue flower clusters amidst the sea of green! It will be simply fantastic! All the best and happy gardening.
    Please do visit again! :)

  11. john chen Says:

    What a lovely garden you have. Your website is informative and the flowering plants posted are both colorful and beautiful. I have a lot to learn about gardening. Me and my wife would like to visit you and your garden.

    Regards to you and John.

  12. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi John!
    How wonderful to ‘see’ you here after a week’s online absence where I was indisposed. And to receive such uplifting comments is truly a booster for my recovery. Thanks a lot, much appreciated. :D
    Happy that you’re pleased with what you saw. John and I will be most delighted to welcome you and your spouse, probably a little later when I am fully recovered. John will contact you soon about the visit. Hehe…hope seeing our garden in person will not be a disappointment! ;)
    Best regards to you and Julian

  13. Laurie Says:

    Hello, I love your site and finally had the sense to come back and ask a plant question instead of searching the web to no avail. You are know in my “favorites” catagory.
    My Question:
    I purchased a small little Japanese Maple this summer. (I live in the San Joaquin Valley, CA) It’s leaves are green and started to turn white at the tips. ( It’s about 3 feet tall with a very skinny trunk. Bought it at a garage sale)
    Do to the recent frost, I put in under my covered patio and the leaves which are know a dark red have fallen off. What do I do? Is this normal? Should I put it back in the elements? Should I put it in the ground? I obviously have no idea what I am doing with this plant. Your suggestions are very appreciated.

  14. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi again, Laurie!
    Thanks a lot for your encouraging comment and confidence in us.
    Regarding your question, we just have to be frank that we’re unable to offer any suggestions. Firstly, we have never planted Japanese Maple before and secondly, we’re in the tropics and lack the expertise for gardening in the temperate regions. So sorry to disappoint you. :(

  15. C Says:

    Hi Jacqueline! Your site is wonderful and a great reference for plants. I happened to buy some plants from Sg. Buloh and was so excited of my purchase until I forgot to ask about the names. While I was searching for the name online, I stumbled upon your site. I found – Chinese flower fringe/loropetalum, adenium/desert rose and azalea indica. Thanks!

    I’ll come to the website often, as now I know most of the plants you have would be exactly the type of plants I can have in our lovely weather here. Keep posting!

    By the way, I have showed your site to my mom and she loves it too.

  16. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi C! Really appreciate your compliment and encouragement. Thanks! So happy that you’ve found useful information here and able to ID your plants. I know how frustrating it can be without knowing their names. Hope more of our Malaysian gardeners will get acquainted with this site! ;)
    In fact, all of our plants’ names were sourced laboriously from the internet as none of the nurseries (mostly from Sg. Buloh) from which we bought our plants were able to name them? Hence, this was one of the reasons that started us on establishing this site, to share with like-minded garden lovers whatever information we’ve acquired.
    Do visit as often as you wish, you’re most welcome! Cheers! :D

  17. Maxine Cheam Says:

    Hi Jaq, so marvelous to see such detailed information from someone who’s not actually trained as a botanist or whatnot. My passion for plants, foliage and flowers is growing by the day too!! I saw a beautiful purple Passiflora Incarnata flower you captured and posted in Flickr. I really would love to see it for myself… LIVE!! Which Sungai Buluh nursery might I view them at and does it flower all year round?
    I was actually looking for Passiflora X Decaisneana, which is red but I don’t know if you know where to find this plant.
    P. Quadrangularis and p. alata also have similar red flowers.
    Love to hear about what you have found.

  18. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Maxine! Such kind words…thank you! Being passionate in nature’s wonders can be so invigorating and motivate one to do things that may seem impossible previously. :)
    Regarding the beautiful Purple Passion Flower, that was the first and last time I saw it (about 1.5 years ago) and not seen since even though John and I have made a couple of subsequent visits thereafter.

  19. Maxine Cheam Says:

    That’s pretty sad.

    Would anyone else reading this lead me to the passion flower? I truly wish there is somewhere in this country such a flowering plant that I could get to. It doesn’t matter what species because the only other places I have heard of are out of Malaysia (Brisbane & Connecticut) and so I thought that it was just fantastic that you had actually gotten those pictures in our very own Sungai Buluh.

    Hope to hear from someone who’s got that plant. It would be such a treat!! Thanks Jac for your reply

  20. Juliet Says:

    I really appreciate what both of you are doing – collecting plant infos and posting them for the benefit of many. I also believe plant enthusiats are essentially warm-hearted and caring individuals. Keep up the good work and God bless.

  21. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks for the smile you’ve put on our faces and joy within our hearts with your kindness and encouragement, Juliet! Here’s a fine example where in sharing, we too receive…it’s a wonderful cycle of giving and receiving. :)
    God bless you too and have a lovely day!

  22. Alam Says:

    i need many kinds of Rex begonia in bulk quantity.
    so can you please send me the quotation if you are interested.Thank u so if any of the plant supplier interested in doing business i can give a good offer to him.

    Regards
    Alam
    006-016-2744573

  23. Jacqueline Says:

    Sorry, Alam! We’re not a garden nursery, trading in plants. Just home gardeners, sharing our passion in gardening.

  24. Jacqueline Says:

    To Maxine Cheam!
    Referring to your comment dated May 16 2009, I’ve great news for you. I saw a beautiful and vibrant red passion flower vine, Passiflora coccinea, at the Church of St. Paul, located in Kuala Kubu Baru town last Saturday. What a delightful surprise for John and I, beyond our wildest dream to see one so soon after you made known your desire to see it. The church is just about one and a half hours drive from Kuala Lumpur and easily to be found as it is in the town itself. I’ve posted an image of the red passion flower here if you’re interested.

  25. JOHN NICHOL Says:

    I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S TAKEN ME SO LONG TO FIND YOUR SITE! I LOVE IT!

    I LIVE IN ENGLAND, AND I KEEP A LARGE COLLECTION OF HIBISCUS ROSE-SINENSIS AND BOUGAINVILLEAS, AND BECAUSE I HAVE BUSINESS INTERESTS IN SINGAPORE I ASM OFTEN THERE (AND IN KL).

    FUNNILY ENOUGH I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A MALVISCUS ARBOREUS FOR OVER TWENTY FIVE YEARS, BUT ALL THE CUTTINGS I’VE BROUGHT BACK HAVE NEVER TAKEN, AND YOU CAN’T GET THEM HERE, BUT THE OTHER DAY I FOUND A NURSERY WITH TWO SPECIMENS AND I BOUGHT ONE. NOW I’M VERY HAPPY!

    I ENVY YOU LIVING IN KL…BUT I AM SURE THERE ARE A LOT MORE BIRDS IN YOUR GARDEN…WHAT ABOUT ORIOLUS AND SUNBIRDS AND WHITE EYES…ALL SORTS. SORRY, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH I AM BEING CRITICAL BUT I’M NOT, I AM JUST EXCITED ABOUT YOUR SITE.

    IF EVER YOU WANT ANY SPECIMENS FROM HERE, LET ME KNOW AND I CAN BRING THEM NEXT TIME I AM THERE.

    ALL MY VERY BEST WISHES,

    JOHN

  26. Jacqueline Says:

    Thank you, John! It’s so heart-warming to read your kind words and offer. I can just picture your lovely garden with the various explosive colors of hibiscus and bougainvilleas! In KL, these bloom year-round and are seen almost everywhere.
    Regarding birds in our garden, there aren’t many kinds around, as we do not have large-growing trees and bushes to attract them. Moreover, ours are mostly low-growing plants in containers…more of a miniature urban garden!
    Best wishes to you too and happy gardening! :)

  27. JOHN NICHOL Says:

    Alas I can’t keep bougainvilleas and hibiscus outside in the uk…they are all indoors. though the temperature is 31 degrees at the moment!

  28. Alvin Says:

    Greetings Jacqueline:
    I found your wonderful website while looking up tropical hibiscus – thank you for maintaining this wonderful resource. I wonder if I could trouble you with a question about a particular plant identity – on the bottom right of this book cover http://www.greenculturesg.com/articles/nov05/1001gardenplants.htm is a hibiscus like looking flower (creamy yellow with brown center) which I’ve been told is very common in Malaysia & Singapore. Might you know it’s proper name? There is a larger picture here http://www.claudinegrandjean.com/garden/Hibiscus_trionum.jpg – but I believe the plant is mis-labeled as H. trionum does not look like this. Thank you in advance!

  29. Jacqueline Says:

    Hello Alvin! We’re delighted to receive your positive feedback about our website. Thank you so much.
    Sorry though that we’re unable to assist you in the plant ID. Indeed, it is widely seen in our country but sadly, most of the plants seen in public places, parks and garden nurseries are not name-tagged.

  30. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Alvin! I’ve managed to find the plant’s ID…it is Turnera subulata (Sulphur Alder).
    Googled again this morning and saw it here: http://floraweb.nparks.gov.sg/search/viewDetail.action?pgId=1927296639777681&key=8
    I’m so happy…it’s a wonderful feeling, knowing I’ve helped in a small way! ;)

  31. james Says:

    Hi,
    What a wonderful garden you have, its very beautiful neat garden.
    You really had taken your time to arrrange all the plants and sorted them well.

    I noticed that most of the plants in the pictures are potted plants and they are doing so beautifully.

    Its great to know that you do research and your best in tropical plants & details.

    Keep up the great work.

  32. Jacqueline Says:

    Thank you so much, James! You’ve put sunshine on our faces with your kind and encouraging remarks. We enjoy sharing our garden passion online and if it had made someone happy each day, that’s our reward! :D

  33. Pughal Says:

    Hi,
    I was surfing for info on Ixora and was led to your website. Nice to meet up with similar passioned people. I am from Singapore and will definitely learn from your articles. I keep potted plants at my apartment. I have hibiscus, bougainvillea, jasmine and curry leaf plants. One of the hibiscus plant was imported from Klang, from my relatives!

  34. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks Pughal, lovely to meet you too. Hope our articles will be helpful, otherwise the very least do enjoy our garden pictures. ;)

  35. KrizAzIz Says:

    Thank you so much for this wonderful site! I discovered you by looking for information about my 3 small ‘Rhapis Excelsa’s’…

    I was hoping to find information on bamboo plants, specifically~propagation instructions…?!

    Do you have this information on your site?

    Hope to hear from you~Thanks!

    Christine

  36. Jacqueline Says:

    You’re most welcome, Christine. Thanks for your kind words.
    If you’re referring to the Rhapis excelsa which is also commonly known as Bamboo Palm, then we do have an article on its propagation here.

  37. jeff Says:

    I beleive I have a laxum but unsure of type. It is very large but very similar to some of your plants. How can I send you a pic of it to verify. That is if you don’t mind. Great site!
    Jeff

  38. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks for the thumbs up on our site, Jeff!
    Frankly, we’re not botanists, just passionate about gardening and most of our plants are identified through sourcing for similarities of plant images and their profile online. Hence, even if you send us a picture of your plant, we may not be able to identify/verify it. Nonetheless, the only plant we have that bears the word ‘laxum’ is Chlorophytum laxum ‘Bichetii’. You can refer here for its features and pictures too, to guide you in deciding whether your plant is the same as ours. Hope this helps.

  39. raymond Says:

    Jaq,

    Thanks for your informative website. I have learned so much about plants that you share and how to propagate new plants. We share many plants in common and it is useful to know how to care for them individually. Look forward to read more of your articles.

    RW

  40. Jacqueline Says:

    You’re most welcome, Raymond. Happy to know that you’ve found our garden blog useful. We really appreciate your positive feedback. Thanks and hope you won’t ever be disappointed in your return visits.

  41. Andrea Says:

    I am very fascinated by your site, it is informative and contains a lot both for the eyes (photos) and for the mind (details). Moreover, the language is very good and simple. Thank you very much.

    I’ve been to KL a few times and also visited the Butterfly Garden. How i wish your garden is open to public also.

  42. Jacqueline Says:

    You’re most welcome, Andrea! How wonderful to be rewarded with such sweet and uplifting words…music to our ears…joy, warmth and sunshine for our hearts. Thank you so much, really appreciate your kindness! :D

  43. Ellie Says:

    Hi Jacqueline,

    Thank you very much for a sharing an informative site like this with us. I am contacting you from the UK regarding christia vespertilionis. I recently became very fascinated by this plant and tried searching for it everywhere but couldn’t find anywhere that sold the plant or the seeds. This weekend I went to a friends house and found it on the window seal dying away and after she was aware how rare it was, she agreed for me to take it to bring it back to life and I was wondering if you have any advice? I have read your page https://www.jaycjayc.com/christia-vespertilionis-hedysarum/ regarding this plant furthermore I was wondering if you know how I can successfuly bring it to life?

    Many thanks,
    Ellie

  44. Jacqueline Says:

    Ellie, you’re most welcome!
    Re Christia vespertilionis – sorry, to sound negative, but I’ve observed that if it decides to go, nothing we do can bring it back to life. It’s quite temperamental, sometimes even pruning will lead to its demise, especially if the plant is too old. We’re lucky though that it self-seeds freely. Maybe, you can go through again the details in our article and see whether your plant has been provided proper growing conditions.
    Best of luck to you.

  45. Jamilah Says:

    Hello Jacqueline,

    Your collection of flowers are amazing!!
    I love the beautiful pictures u put, and also how u managed to describe each species quite thoroughly.
    I find myself visiting your website first, everytime i need any information on flowers, only then i’ll try to search somewhere else. =)

    Anyway, i have a question for you. I am actually a PhD student in Universiti Malaya, and i’m currently doing a tissue culture research on Agapanthus praecox.
    I noticed that u’ve found some Agapanthus seeds when u went to Cameron Highland. So I was wondering, did u plant those seeds? And do they really grow?

    Because i really need to use Agapanthus seeds in my research, and it’s very difficult to get those seeds in Malaysia. So I would really appreciate it if u can tell me where in Cameron Highland did u find those seeds?
    I would really appreciate your reply on this.

    Thanks =)

  46. Jacqueline Says:

    Thank you so much for your generous comments, Jamilah! We’re humbled and truly flattered by your positive feedback, and glad to have been of help.
    Re Agapanthus seeds, we found a couple of viable-looking seedpods at the Shell Bungalow at Bukit Ruil, Cameron Highlands. If you’re travelling from Tanah Rata towards Brinchang, it’s about midway on the left side. I did try planting the seeds, but unfortunately I clean forgot about it. When I was weeding one evening, 2-3 seedlings about 1 inch tall were accidentally yanked out as they looked like grasses. I tried replanting the fragile, almost squashed seedlings when I noticed they were actually Agapanthus seedlings with black seeds attached at the roots…sadly they died.
    Wish you all the best in getting some seeds for your research, Jamilah.

  47. Judy Chun Says:

    November, 2009 – Pearl City, Hawaii
    We have been growing ponytails of all sizes in our yard for years and have never seen one blossom. Imagine our surprise when we looked out the window to see one in full bloom almost overnight! It has an 18 inch stalk growing straight up out of the middle and seems to be dropping all its leaves. I took pictures but have not been able to transfer them to this site. We searched through all our books and several internet sites and your posting about ponyail “palms” is the only one we have found which even mentions the possibility. Thanks for the inormation. Judy

  48. Jacqueline Says:

    Congrats! You’re so blessed to have your Ponytail Plant blooming, Judy! It’s such a rare treat. It’ll be sooo…wonderful if you could share its picture in our site. You won’t be able to upload it here from your pc, but if you’ve uploaded it online, I think you can copy and paste the HTML code or the photos url in your comment.

  49. kent Says:

    Hi,

    I will be visiting Kuala Lumpar in the 3rd week of January, I was reading about the university botanical garden visit.

    Do you have any other garden’s to recommend?

    Also any flowers that will be in bloom for the month of January that I should keep my eye open?

    Thanks I am unfamiliar with the fauna of Malaysia so this will be a treat for me!

    thanks
    kent

  50. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Kent,

    Besides Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden at University Malaya, you may want to visit the Hibiscus Garden and Orchid Garden, both situated in Kuala Lumpur too. Another garden attraction is the Secret Garden at 1 Utama Shopping Complex (have a look at this link: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=32983 for a brief write-up) which I read is fantastic though I’ve yet to visit it.

    Not sure about specific January bloomers though as we just enjoy whatever nature has to offer! :D

    Hope you have an enjoyable and delightful stay and holiday in KL.

    Cheers!

  51. Karen Says:

    What a lovely site!! I just read the page on Durantas, and got exactly the information I needed. Thank you so much!
    I’m looking forward to exploring the site further, as I am just starting to try to turn my “thumb of death” into a green thumb. LOL
    Keep up the great work; the pictures and info are invaluable resources for both the beginner and the pro.
    Thanks,
    Karen

  52. Jacqueline Says:

    Oh Karen…such uplifting and encouraging comments really make our hearts sing, knowing that our humble efforts in sharing have been so worthwhile! Thanks so much in taking the trouble to pen your thoughts and your kind deed is most appreciated. Delighted to have been of help. :)

  53. Carla Branch Says:

    What a wonderful site, Jacqueline . A comment about the ponytail palm. I was told it will flower when you plant it in soil . It seems to be true because my son transferred his directly into the garden and it flowered magnificently and grew 3 heads. My sister’s neigbour has 4 or 5 in his garden and they all flowered at the same time. A sight to behold.
    Carla

  54. Anakcili Says:

    Hi Jacq
    Great website. I am from Malaysia too.
    I plan to grow AFrican Violet and Gloxinia.
    I hope you can advise me how to grow these plant in Malaysia climate.
    Your Gloxinia are extremely beautiful.

  55. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks for your kind review, Carla…much appreciated. Gosh, I’m green with envy, our ponytail palm has never bloomed as yet!

  56. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Anakcili! So sorry, we’re unable to advise on African Violet as our first attempt at growing them was a failure. No hands-on advice on Gloxinia too as we’ve never experimented growing these exquisite plants before. Pictures of gloxinias in our article were captured at a nearby Tesco Store.

  57. Rupert Jones Says:

    Hello Jacqueline,

    I just discovered your website after googling ‘red oxalis’. I have a beautiful and much coveted red oxalis plant, but just recently the leaves have started to discolour and/or decay. Sometimes it looks like something is eating them, but I’m not sure. At the moment, they are sitting by the window in direct sunlight and I have been watering them everyday. I’m wondering if this is what’s causing them too look a little sorry for themselves.

    I was also wondering if you could give me a tip about how to maybe separate one of the bulbs as I have a few in one large pot and they’re very crowded. This looks amazing, but perhaps I can get a new plant out of it.

    Yours sincerely
    Rupert

  58. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Rupert,
    Probably your plants are getting too much direct sunlight and being overwated too. Oxalis prefers filtered sunlight and dislike wet feet that can lead to root rot.
    To propagate by division, gently separate the clumps and plant them in good-draining potting soil.
    You may want to refer further to our article on oxalis here and their probable problems here.
    All the best and hope your plants regain their robust growth.

  59. radha Says:

    Lovely site you have here. Would you help me identify some of the pictures of plants and flowers that I have taken? Where can I mail them?

  60. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks for your compliment, radha!
    Sorry, we don’t entertain such plant ID request as we’re not experts in this matter. I’d suggest that you check with our A-Z: Plants Photo Gallery to see whether there are similarities that can help you to identify yours. We’re not botanists and all our plants/flowers were identified by comparing photos and gathering info through google-search. The site TopTropicals.com with an extensive plant picture gallery has been our favourite resource center…you may want to explore there.
    Another alternative is to post your pictures in your blog and invite readers/visitors to help out or upload your photos at Flickr.com with a free account and join related groups that can help in plant ID. There are many such groups in the Flickr community.
    All the best to you, radha.

  61. Andrea Says:

    Hello!

    Your site is very useful. Thank you so much for creating it.

    Just wanted to ask if you know how long it takes for a closed single flower to open in the case of Ixora coccinea. Do you have an idea?

  62. Olis Says:

    Hi Mrs. Jacq,

    First of all I would like to thank you for creating this site.

    I’m a high school student and I’m doing my research project as one of my requirements in school. I’ve taken details of gumamela from your site for the review of related literature chapter of my paper and I have to include the authors of this site. May I know your last name please?

    Thanks,
    Olis

  63. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Andrea,
    Thanks for your kind comments, though sorry I’m unable to answer your query as I don’t monitor their blooming details.

  64. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks for your appreciation, Olis!
    I can be referred as Mrs. Jacqueline Chin.

  65. Ren Says:

    Hello Jacqueline,
    I love your site a lot and I have a few questions, is there any chance to contact you by eMail ? It would be fantastic to receive a reply from you by eMail.
    All my best wishes from Germany
    Ren

  66. Jacqueline Says:

    Great to know you’re delighted with our site, Ren! I’ve just added a contact form for you and others who may prefer this alternative way to contact us. Just click on the ‘Contact Us’ link at the navigation bar above.

  67. Rod Gisick Says:

    Dear Jacqueline,
    Thanks for your wonderful site. I’m living on Bohol Island, Philippines, not so far from you. I have a small garden and have been collecting plants for 7 months, but am having trouble with local names and finding the plants! I did find a couple on your site that I couldn’t find anywhere else! But something they call “Ribbon Grass”, a short, variegated, wide stemmed grass that stays quite small, and a taller variegated iris-like leaf with a stem of tiny yellow flowers, they call “Silver Wool”. I can’t find either anywhere! And a would love to know the Latin names. So thanks for your great website and I look forward to visiting often.

  68. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks for your generous compliment, Rod! Sorry though that we’re unable to name your plants as they’re unknown to us.
    However, I googled for ‘Ribbon Grass’ and am wondering whether one of the search results @ Dave’s Garden showing its pictures and Latin name, Phalaris arundinacea fits your plant enquiry?
    Happy gardening!

  69. Penang Tan Says:

    What a wonderful website! I can feel the PASSION!
    I’m starting on my own garden in Kedah (Penang has limited land space).
    I’m now collecting plants all over. Now i have:
    1) Madagascar Almond
    2) Lemon
    3) Grape vine
    4) Portulaca
    5) Cosmos (Light yellow, Deeper yellow & mixed color of yellow & orange)
    6) Blue Daze
    7) Angelonia (Pink, white, Purple)
    8) Frangipani Pink
    9) Kelat Paya (Eugenia Oleina)
    10) Tomatococcus
    11) Roses (Yellow, Red)
    12) passion fruit
    13) Mona Lavender
    14) Cape Leadwort
    15) Horsetail Rush
    16) Orange Jasmine
    17) Globe Amranth
    18) Ros Vietnam
    19) Agapanthus
    20) Trumpet Tree
    21) Cinnamon
    22) Custard Apple
    23) etc

    Just in case you have anything plant you are interested to exchange pls let me know. Really nice to meet you here!!!

  70. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks for the compliment, Penang Tan! Nice to meet a fellow Malaysian too and all the best on your garden project. Whoa…your plant list is really impressive! Hmm… our list, on the other hand, is gradually shortened…we’ve cut down drastically on the numbers due to John’s poor health. :(

  71. Jyoti Says:

    Hi Jacqueline,
    I am really feeling lucky to have stumbled upon your site while looking for the botanical names and descriptions about the plants in my own small little garden of few pots. I was amazed to see your collection of plants and the way you have managed to click beautiful pictures of them and painstakingly described each species in details. Anytime i need any information on flowers, I come to your site.
    I must say I admire your love for the flora and fauna around you.
    I am from India, but currently staying in Kuala Lumpur and would love to see your garden in real, if possible.
    God bless you and your family for the noble work you’re doing.

  72. Jacqueline Says:

    Oooh Jyoti… such lovely compliments are music to our ears! I’m amazed that you can take the pulse of our passion from my writings and photography. Thank you so much for your sweet words, encouragement and blessings. Great to know that you’ve found useful information from our site.
    On the other hand, we’re sorry that your request to visit our garden is denied because it’s not open to public. Sorry to disappoint you.
    Hope you’d enjoy your visit in Malaysia.
    God bless you and your family too.

  73. Anne Fletcher Says:

    Dear Jacqueline

    What a bright, easy to follow site you have put together and you make a person feel as if they’re visiting with you through your blog. I am an amateur gardener… feeling my way and trying to follow in my father’s footsteps (he had a green thumb – I think I might have a slightly green tip of a pinky nail :-)!) Still, I enjoy pottering in the garden and I am trying to work with mostly indigenous plants although there are one or two foreign representatives in situ. I live in South Africa and we have a wealth of choice available to work with.
    Keep up the good work with your site and God bless you.

  74. Jacqueline Says:

    Thanks so much, Anne!
    Great to know you’re delighted with our site. We truly appreciate your kind compliments, encouragement and blessings.
    Hehe… green, black or pink thumb… whatever… if you enjoy gardening and willing to ‘play with dirt’… I bet, your garden will surely be a winner! Hmm… more so since you’re in South Africa with incredible biodiversity and home to awesome indigenous plants that are too numerous to be counted.
    Happy gardening and may your dreams come true this New Year.
    God bless you.

  75. J Ho Says:

    Hi Jacq and John

    I enjoy your plant pictures. Thank you.

    Im from Singapore and have a small balcony garden. Im looking for an Ixora bonsai (red). But this bonsai is hard to find in Singapore.

    Do you know of anyone who is sellling it in Malaysia? I would like to have it sent to my house by courier if possible.

    Regards

    Johnny Ho

  76. Jacqueline Says:

    Our pleasure Johnny! Great to know our photos delighted you though sorry we know not of any ixora bonsai seller locally.

  77. Ursula Says:

    Dear J & J
    I walk around and around between your plants
    (my impression is you have an enchanted garden), Finally I decide to visit you. For the first time I go to your “about us” page and find to my utter dismay that you live far far from
    me. How did I ever come to think you are in Fort Myers, Florida? Please do not laugh, it is a sad thing for me.
    But, one never knows, perhaps one of these days I will have an oportunity to visit. In the meantime I shall keep meandering through your gardens by computer.
    God bless you
    Ursula

  78. Dianne Lam Says:

    John Nichol! Hi! I hope you read this.
    ( Thanks to Jaqueline of putting up the blog)
    You grow Hibiscus?
    You are in UK?
    In these two facts we are as one.
    I’d like to get in touch to discuss Hibiscus, if possible.
    Kind regards,
    Dianne

  79. Jacqueline Says:

    @ Ursula : Thanks for dropping by. Hope your virtual visits to our garden site give you much pleasure and joy! :)

    @ Dianne : We too hope John Nichol reads your message and respond accordingly.

  80. Inez Says:

    Dear John and Jacqi, Like a lot of your other fans I chanced upon your page by accident…and LOVE it. I especially loved arriving here as you yourselves live in the tropics as I do. So, I’m hoping for your guidance and help. I saw the Bauhinia on your page and felt I simply MUST have one. I haven’t seen them here in India, but I have a plant-loving cousin who lives in KL and if you give me some direction about where in KL they available, I could ask her to get one for me and bring it when she visits. Please can you help? Thank you :)

  81. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Inez! Thanks for your kind comment about our website.
    Just inform your cousin that Bauhinia kockiana being a very popular vine in our country is sold in most garden nurseries around KL and especially along the Sungai Buloh road. She can easily find them on sale there.

  82. Karma Meck Says:

    I live in Houston, Texas in the United States, and came across your site looking for some tropical color for my flower beds, and am in awe of the beauty you have managed to capture and make available to people around the world.

    Thank you for your dedication and hard work to provide a beautiful website and SPECTACULAR Flickr photos. And may the universe continue to bless you and your family.

  83. Jacqueline Says:

    Awwww… Karma Meck! Your generous compliment of our website brings warmth and joy to our hearts, thank you so much! And if sharing our garden passion has made others like you glad, appreciative and thankful or has helped in any way, that’s the best reward for our efforts.
    Thanks too for your blessings. God bless.

  84. chellet Says:

    Dear Ms. Jacq,

    The first time I came across your blog I got inspired to start my own backyard garden. It is a small space, but me and my mom managed to spruce it up with a couple of plants.

    Your website is awesome and informative. I always come back whenever I need information or inspiration. You have great gardening skills and talent, and it is perhaps because of your dedication to your garden and to each and every plant you cultivate.

    Thank you very much and have a great day!

    Chellet

  85. Jacqueline Says:

    Oh Chellet… you are too generous with your thoughts and comments. They’re truly appreciated and made both John and I joyfully happy… thank you so much. We complement each other in caring for our garden plants. :-)
    Great to know that our website had been helpful and inspired you. I always endeavour in my research of plants to present the best information and pictures in my posts so that our site’s visitors find them useful and happy.
    Cheers and happy gardening to you and your mom!

  86. Ted Blenkers Says:

    I dont even know how I found your website, but very happy I did.. I am moving to Phuket, Thailand in April (2013)
    I have a small garden area and lots of deck space. I come the Pacific NW area of USA, (Seattle) so I am used to lots of green and I love plants, flowers, trees etc.
    I am using your site to plan my garden and get some ideas for some potted plants on my deck.
    1 quick question, I will make a trellis on 2 of my decks,
    could you recommend some vines to grow on them. they will sunshine most of the day! I was hoping a passion fruit vine could work, I love that fruit and the flowers look lovely.
    thanks for your wonderfull site and have a happy beautiful day.
    Ted

  87. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Ted,

    We’re deeply touched by your generous review of our site… thank you.

    Some of my favourite tropical vines are :
    1. Passiflora edulis… for their fruits and gorgeous flowers, as you’ve mentioned;
    2. Quisqualis indica… for their spectacular flowers and fragrance;
    3. Bauhinia kockiana… for their catchy and lasting blooms;
    4. Thunbergia mysorensis… for their fascinating slipper-like flower clusters.

    I’d like to suggest that you check the Tags drop-down on our site’s right sidebar and select the tag ‘vines’ to browse through their profile to help you decide.

    All the very best in your move to Phuket and may your garden-to-be give you much happiness, joy and serenity. God bless.

  88. Ravi Says:

    Hi Jayc

    Excellent website and a wealth of information for part time KL gardeners. Happy Easter.

    Rgds. Ravi

  89. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Ravi… much thanks for your kind thoughts on our site and Easter greetings. A joyful and blessed Easter to you too. Have a wonderful week ahead.

  90. Eric Ng Says:

    Hi Jacqueline,

    Thank you for your excellent article on Pandanus Amaryllifolius. It has helped us tremendously in our effort to grow them in Sydney. God bless,

    Eric Ng

  91. Jacqueline Says:

    Hello Eric Ng,
    Much thanks for your kind compliment.You’re most welcome. We’re extremely delighted that our article had helped you. God bless you too.
    Happy gardening!

  92. Tommy Clarkson Says:

    Dear Jacqueline:

    If/as you wish, please contact Patty and me on my personal e-mail (or visit us via our web site).

    We live in Mexico where we have Ola Brisa Gardens and, among several fun activities, I write a weekly column. entitled “Planting Roots in Mexico”..

    I have just completed one of these articles on the Pin-stripe Plant and have quoted you a great deal – from your superlative article on the plant.

    I invite you to visit our site, review any of my columns (under the Advice tab) and, hopefully, we can commence a mutually beneficial dialogue.

    Tommy Clarkson .

  93. Jacqueline Says:

    Hello Tommy,

    Thanks for visiting our garden website.
    Your Ola Brisa Gardens website is so awesome and truly impressive. Congratulations! Hope you’ll be able to draw large crowds of people to your captivating and beautiful garden.

    I can identify most of your tropical palms, flowering and foliage plants as we too are in tropical paradise of Malaysia.

    All the very best in your endeavour,
    Jacgueline.

  94. Regina Says:

    Dear Jacqueline:
    You have beautiful garden!
    I live in Poland, I have beautiful garden too.
    I would like to write to you , please write to me.

    regards, Regina

  95. Jacqueline Says:

    Hi Regina,
    Thank you very much for your generous comments of our garden. I’m truly blessed that my beloved better half, John also shares my gardening passion.
    By the way you mentioned that you have a beautiful garden too… do you have a website or have a flickr account where I can enjoy your garden virtually.
    Regards and have a great day.

  96. Cielo Says:

    Just discovered your website and have been thoroughly enjoying it; thank you! I’ve pinned (on Pinterest) a number of your articles for reference and plan on returning often. God bless you!

  97. Jacqueline Says:

    Hello Cielo… wonderful to know that you’ve enjoyed visiting our website and planning to return often.
    You’ve made my day with your kind comments. :-)
    God bless you too and do have a fabulous day.

  98. Lea Says:

    Hello Jacq & John – greetings from Houston, Texas, USA! Recently a unique plant with 3-lobed leaves began growing in my front yard. I almost cut it down because I thought it was a weed. After allowing it to grow a bit longer, small, red flower clusters began to bloom. It’s a lovely Jatropha! Thanks to your website, I was able to identify it. Do you have any recommendations for the up-keep of this plant?

  99. Jacqueline Says:

    Hello Lea,

    We’re delighted that you were able to ID your plant via our website.

    To know more on how to upkeep your plant, please follow our article @ https://www.jaycjayc.com/jatropha-podagrica-buddha-belly/

    Have a nice day.

  100. David Says:

    Hi Jacq,

    I don’t know if you still use this site but I thought I’d try. I live in the USA, in Florida, and grow tropical plants. I particularly like flowering trees and vines, and my favorite always seem to be the rarest ones. I have been trying ever since I saw a picture of Bauhinia kockiana to get a plant. It has been years and I have had no luck. It seems to be particularly common in Malaysia but I’ve had no luck in finding any nurseries or collectors that export plants to the US. I figure it is a long shot, but do you know any places that exports plants to the US that I would be able to get B kockiana from? Or do you ever get seeds? I obviously will pay and I do have the necessary permits to important plants or seeds into the US. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I’d love to see any pictures you have of interesting or rare plants you grow.
    Thanks for your help,
    David

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