Pentas In My Garden

Two years back Pentas was a beautiful addition in my balcony garden and then last year 

I don't know what went wrong and it died.

This year I saw few saplings in different pots and  I was super excited to see them back in my garden so I let them grow. When they bloomed I was totally surprised because earlier I had only hot pink Pentas but now they are blooming in three colors.

Hot pink, soft pink and white Pentas.....triple bonanza yay!!! All thanks to butterflies and tiny birds who keep visiting my garden. Here is the hot pink one........

and here is soft pink Pentas a lovely surprise :)

and here is combo of pink..........adding beauty to my garden that has unintentionally turned into an almost  pink garden with pink Bougainvillea, pink Allamanda, pink Petunia and of-course pink Pentas.

and who said white is boring. Look at this looks like stars are making their presence in my garden :) Ahh at least something is other than pink in my small garden now.

and here all the three varieties of Pentas (Pentas because they have five petals). They attract butterflies and hummingbirds too. I have seen hummingbird playing with my flowers a few times in my garden. I am so happy and excited that they are back again and I'll get to see butterflies and hummingbirds again :)

Joy of gardening I must say :)



Linking it to Today's Flower

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Just After Rain!!!

After short spell of shower I stepped out onto the terrace and went on clicking. It was fun and I enjoyed everything around ...............

Smell and the rhyme of the falling rain

sparkling rain drops on soft petals of flowers

cool breeze and fragrance of various flowers

wet leaves that tickled my hand.

beautiful shades of flower as if they are dipped in rainbow.

If more I'll write on this topic I'll become poetess :)

Here's a visual tour of my rain soaked garden.

Rain drenched hibiscus smiling at me..........

Yellow Gerbera spreading some warmth........

Conch and shell adorning pots..........

Palm, jasmine even aloe vera looks happy and lush in rains.........

Jade and Syngonium thriving beautifully and are perfect combination to add character to a garden!!

How do you like this visual tour and how weather is treating you in your part of the world!!

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Grow A Beautiful Garden

Before sharing tips on how to grow a beautiful garden one should know 'Why to grow a garden'.

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"_Marcus

"A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness, it teaches industry and thrift, above all it teaches TRUST"_Gertrude Jeky

"Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years" _ Anon

Now you know the benefits of growing a garden. Here are some tips I am sharing to grow a healthy and beautiful garden.

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1. Soil: 

First and most important step involve in growing a garden is to maintain good soil. Soil should be fertile and healthy. You can improve quality of your soil by adding compost/manure every year if you are growing flower and vegetable garden. No need to add compost if you are growing herbs. 

Check soil pH if it is too acidic then add some lime to control the pH. Healthy soil pH is considered between 5 to 8. That is neither very acidic nor very alkaline. Though it varies from plant to plant.

Add mulch (protective layer of material like bark, wood, plastic on the soil) to the top layer of soil, it will maintain soil temperature, maintains soil moisture, control weeds, organic mulch increases soil fertility and it reduces soil splash while watering or during rains.

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2. Environment:

Environmental factors also play an important role in gardening. Main factors are water and air temperature.
Watering directly depends on weather. If it rains then you can skip watering plants, though in summers you have to make sure to water your plants regularly. Nutrients available in soil get dissolved in water and are taken up by porous roots of the plants.
When temperature is very low then plants go into dormant state and metabolism slows down. While in very hot temperature plants stop functioning properly. So its always a best idea to take good care of your plants during extreme temperature conditions. Bring your plants inside home when there is too cold and keep them in partial shady  area in very hot weather.

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3.Choose right plants:
Select your plants according to the space available and how much sunlight your space gets where you are planning to grow a garden.
If you have very limited space then going vertical is the best option. Choose plants those are dense and leafy.
If your garden space receives less or no sunlight then choosing shade loving plants like hydrangea, hostas, begonia, fern, bamboo, camellia, coral bells and fox gloves are some good options.
If your garden area receives ample amount of sunlight then choose day lily, black-eyed susan, coleus, chlorophytum, juniperus, daisy, salvia, hibiscus, petunia, verbena these are sun loving plants and thrive in sun.

4. Pots:
You can add a lot of drama to your garden by choosing some fancy and eye catching beautiful planters for your garden. You can simply paint your existing pots and can see the difference. Make a beautiful arrangement by placing pots of different color and size in cluster. Try using some unconventional pots like tree stump, plastic bottles, mugs, tyre, boots, pitcher or even an old bath tub too.

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5. Garden Accessories:
Accessorizing your garden is as important as any other space in your home. Lots of  garden accessories are available in market these days. Choose right one for your garden according to space available. Bird house and bird bath not only enhances the beauty of garden but gives shelter to thirsty and tired birds also. Gnomes, fairy, by-cycle, wagon, terracotta or sand stone figures and fountain are few to name.

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Hope you have found way to brighten up your garden and are ready for a makeover.

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DIY: Plastic Bottles Hanging Planter

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I love recycling and do lot of recycling and up-cycling projects. Checkout my earlier recycling projects here Here is one more DIY that you must have seen lot of times on various sites but this one is little different as I made hanging bottle planter.  These bottles were lying in my store for quite some time now and waiting for me to turn them into something useful. I have a big green thumb so lot of my projects involve gardening. 

If you also have some plastic bottles lying unused then get ready and let's make a beautiful, colorful hanging planter to add pop of color in your garden.

Step 1. Gather your supplies. All you need is :

3-4 Plastic bottles

Knife 

Acrylic paint

Brush 

Rope

Potting soil

Plants

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First of all wash the bottles and let them dry.

Step 2.  Cut the middle of the bottle in rectangular shape as shown in image below. Don't cut a big rectangle make it small just to plant saplings there. Now make three four very small holes opposite to the rectangular cut for water drainage.

Step 3. Now it's time to prime all the bottles with either acrylic white paint or enamel paint.

Step 4.  Now paint all the bottles in color of your choice. may be in gradient color or in contrasting color or monochromatic choice is yours.

Step 5.  Now tie both the ends of bottles with the rope as shown in picture to hang them in your garden.

Step 6.  Put some small stones first then fill the potting mix in bottles leaving 1.5" space  unfilled. Place saplings and fill the bottle completely with potting mix.

A closer look of my bottle hanging planter.......and can you spot that little Mr. Turtle more about him little later :)))

Just few simple steps and you can make a rocking garden. 

Few more plastic bottles recycling projects are coming so stay tuned.

Recycle recycle and stay creative!! Have a wonderful weekend :)

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Spring Is Showing Up In My Garden

 Spring is nature's way of saying let's party - Robin Williams

Yes I have reason to party, we completed two blissful years in our abode and I am happy that my garden too is showing up that sign of partying.

Having somewhere to go is Home, having someone to love is Family, having both is Blessing. Ever since we moved to our haven we feel blessed, content and happy :)

Here's how my garden is smiling with me and showing sign of spring..............

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