Bloom time!

How many pictures can you take of the same kind of blooms?
That's what I've been asking myself every time I go click-
click! This vibrant touch of colour is enough to set my
heart a-flutter!
This variety of Bromeliad is the Billbergia saundersii. Named
after the Swedish botanist Gustaf Johan Billberg, the plant
grows upright in a rosette of five to seven leaves. The centre
of the plant is like a vase and this should always hold water.
The vase also catches falling debris that decays and acts as
a food supply.

It needs little care but during the hot summer months the leaves
look dull. I feel that the markings are more pronounced when it's
about to bloom.

Early morning dew on the bromeliad looks like sugar frosting.


The largest number of Billbergia saundersii is found in Brazil
but they also grow in Mexico through tropical America.

For a plant that does not need much care, the pink bracts and the
inflorescence are eye-catching. Clearly, even if I don't post
on this again, I'll still be clicking away till their dying day!

The Spider Connection

Who doesn't love/grow the spider plant? Easy to care for
and to propagate, this is a staple in most gardens and
homes. Chlorophytum comosum is also known as the ribbon
plant or airplane.

This guy has come to check out my depleting stock of ash gourd
and pumpkin!!

My latest addition to my plant collection is the spider flower
or Cleome aculeata. You can make out from this slightly blurry
photo that the blooms are very showy. Cleome, native to south
America, likes a well-drained, fertile soil. Thrives in sunny
areas and partial shade. Propagation is by seed. Googling also
came up with this gem of information-- it can be invasive too!
The sight of these blooms at the nursery made my heart beat
faster! 'Invasive' sounds like the loveliest word ever!!

Homeward Bound

Yesterday's post was about my visit to Daffodil nursery. On the
way back we stopped at an eatery located next to a paddy field.
If it's the north-east of India, bamboo rules. The shape of this
roof caught my eye.

What bliss! From our table, this was the view! Fields of rice and
the hills in the back-ground. There were flocks of small birds
merrily pecking at all that grain. They really need a scarecrow
around here!

Drop dead gorgeous marigold to usher in diners!

While waiting for the food to arrive I went around the vicinity.
This bee was hovering on a bare frangipani stump. Look at the touch
of blue!



A little stream gurgled along the periphery of the eatery. On the
bank, wild flowers bloomed.

A swallowtail feeds on wild lantana.

The outskirts of the city. The day was hazy and clear in
turns. And as the sun played hide and seek and the clouds
were all set for a spectacular afternoon show...I was glad
we'd made this trip!!

A Visit To Daffodil Nursery

One of the best nurseries in this region is Daffodil nursery.
I first started visiting this place in the mid 90s when it
was a place that looked like it had all the makings of
success. Next to a busy highway connecting several states,
and plenty of space, it's a bustling place with many
customers. Many smaller nurseries depend on Daffodil
for huge supplies; no wonder they advertise themselves
as suppliers of all things horticultural.

We set off in the morning. It's a beautifully warm day. My
brother is sporting enough to drive over 40 kms to Daffodil.
As we leave the city behind, the road goes uphill and in the
distance the tree-covered hills look so green.

Thunderclouds loom large over this range of blue hills and
for a few seconds, with the sun behind the thick curtain, it
feels like late afternoon. How peaceful the whole scene looks!

The sight of azaleas greet us as we reach...

Wide open spaces, rows and rows of plants! I'm so glad I've
come here!

This gazebo-like structure near the entrance is the cash-
counter.

There was so much to drink in...

gaze.....

admire....and then select...

One of the rough and ready contraptions used to cart plants
to waiting cars.

This boot can only hold so much!!

Just Another Day In December

The morning started on a joyful note with this beauty
on the Ixora. I think it's the Common Tiger butterfly
and not to make confusion more confounded, I refuse to
go back to Google school. At least not for now!


Another lovely surprise! I'd bought a tiny azalea in April
at the Shillong Flower Show knowing fully well that our
climate isn't azalea-friendly. Ther's a budding bloom here
in a pink so soft that it almost looks white. I just hope
that it gets acclimatised and in the years to follow, will
bloom...and bloom!




I'd gone to pick up a few things from a shop and was delighted
to see it all decorated for Christmas! The whole atmosphere was
cheerful and the store was dotted with trees. I couldn't resist
taking pictures of all that pretty display.


Stopping at a popular eatery, JB's, I took a shot of this tiny
garden outside. These are the commonly grown plants in traffic
islands also.


Another butterfly in the afternoon. Whitish grey and happily
resting on a bamboo leaf.


Would the day be complete without a sunset shot? This was how
the western horizon looked at 4.16

An Egret And A Skipper

The marshy plot of land near our house is home to
quite a few species of wildlife. I've seen many a
mongoose dart into all that green growth at the
sight of people or the sound of voices. In the
rainy season it fills up with water and fish
abound. The croaking of frogs, the cries of the
water-rail are just some of the sounds that
remind me we're still lucky to be able to hear
and to be able to listen to such sounds.
(Please click on the pictures for a better view)


Yesterday, early in the morning, I noticed this egret
stalking prey. The water level has gone down so it was
walking about at a leisurely pace, intent on getting
its food. It paid no attention to me as I took several
shots. It kept on moving about, most of the time with its
gaze downwards.


I couldn't wait to see whether it was successful....
early in the morning, kids about to leave...chores
lined up...! But I'm glad I took these shots. Birds
usually take off as soon as they sense people nearby.
Maybe the egret's need for food was greater than the
urge to fly away from a curious human!


My most recent visitor is a coffee-coloured skipper.
I've attempted to get a clear picture several times
but it hates being photographed! I had to exercise a
lot of Stealth to get this shot. With the wings spread
out you can see a flash of the colour purple!


Ah, isn't someone getting used to the flashbulbs?!

Bloom time

I was pleasantly surprised to see this budding bromeliad
yesterday. Last year show time was in Feb/March. Looks
like someone's in a tearing hurry. Hmm, I don't mind at
all!


Zephyranthes or zephyr lily comes from Zephyrus, the god
of the West Wind in Greek mythology. The literal trans-
lation would be West Wind flower. These plants love the
rain that the West Wind brings. Zephyr--- gentlest of
winds, the messenger of spring.

When this rainlily bloomed a week ago, there was neither
wind nor rain. And I'd planted a few in a container
which has a croton. I really don't remember these plants
blooming at this time of the year. At least, not in my
yard!


I'd posted about these canna plants earlier after my
"discovery". Since then they've been dug out from
the near-oblivion site and planted on a proper bed!
They did provide a bit of cheer in a drab landscape.



There are so many varieties of Allamanda that it's difficult
to say which one this is. After a lot of googling, I've
finally settled for Allamanda violacea Cherry Jubilee.
Please correct me if I'm wrong. I was only told (in the
nursery) that this one was Allamanda. Period. Little did
I know that trying to learn the exact names can also
drive you (a little) round the bend!!!