I appreciate the creator of this world through the magic I see in plants growing from seed, blooming flowers and giving more seeds :-)
Keeping my rooftop garden in Lucknow is an enjoyable activity. And well, therapeutic. Everyday there is something new to appreciate. And I appreciate the creator of this world through the magic I see in plants growing from seed, blooming flowers and giving more seeds :-)
Hawain baby woodrose, Argyreia nervosa
This climber is a sturdy one. It grows well as a curtain in a regular garden. It has mauve flowers which give fruit that look like wood roses.
Gulmehndi
Gulmehndi is blooming in many shades of pink, red, peach, mauve and a pristine white. The seed pods burst open, and used to be a favourite even when I was a kid. Gulmehndi is an annual with flowers appearing in September-October, and are used in Durga puja along with hibiscus and jasmines. Speaking of jasmines, only chameli is blooming right now. The Bela, mogra and juhi are resting after the monsoon flowering.
Cock's comb
Cock's comb are healthy winter annuals that spring up on their own each season, presumably from seeds from last year's blooms fallen in the mud. I tried some hybrids in cock's comb from Sandeep's Nursery in Mahanagar. The flowers were gorgeous in yellow, orange and scarlet, but the seeds did not grow next year like the desi pink variety does every year :-(
Cypress Vine
This star shaped red flower has been a childhood favourite. Couldn't get one to thrive in my garden till now. Over-watering kills this delicate vine.
Vishnukanta
These cobalt blue flowers with pea-like pods for seeds have a way of multiplying like crazy!
Zinia
Summer zinias are still doing great in November. This was planted late, though.
Name, please?
I haven't found this flower's name. I first saw it growing in the Himalayas…
Mirchi gurhal, hibiscus
This variety of hibiscus does well for puja offerings.
Alamanda
My Alamanda is still not very tall, but looking forward to it growing into a big, healthy climber :-)
Ixora
White rose bush
Chameli
Kaner
Kaner belongs to the oleander family, and cows and goats roaming the street do not eat this shrub turned tree. Though it doesn't matter now that I have it growing on my rooftop :-)
Kaner finds mention in Puranic literature in Sanskrit. Srimad Bhagwat mentions kaner flowers used
Jafri marigold
Hawain ginger lily
Hawain ginger lily
These ginger lilies scent the whole place :-) I got them from Tiger Camp Resort, Jim Corbett National Park, Ramnagar, Kumaon Himalaya.
Rama tulsi
This is the time for tulsi puja as Kartik Tulsi ekadashi is here, and my tulsi is doing great :-)
Papaya
Strictly speaking, this papaya tree is not on my rooftop, but it comes pretty close :-) This grew from one of the few seeds I dropped after eating a delicious papaya.
Madhu malati
This Madhumalati climber frames my house :-). It grows near the gate and comes up to the roof, bringing with it bees, squirrels and saprrows… It flowers in change of seasons. Minus the extreme heat and cold it is always in bloom.
[Photo credits: Swati Sharma]