Warm December

 The  concern about Global warming seems corroborated as  we are experiencing warm weather in December .  While a cool Autumn in November was a predicament for cold beginning of December the uncertain warmness in  weather in the month of December is alarming. 

December is actually warm when u spot Bougainvilleas and Adeniums blooming at the end of first fortnight of December.

                                                      

    Chrysanthemum blossoms had put up a show                        

My self seeder French marigolds have started blooming                                                                  

Bauhinia Purpurea is blooming profusely in December 

The silver lining of  Warm weather is that some of the blooms from Autumn are still blooming . 

October to Early March sees bird visitors in my Garden, Plumeria  Tree has become  a hotspot for        Birds in my Garden. Greater Coucal was spotted perching on Plumeria Tree                                             

                 

It flew to grass to feed upon insects and I was fortunate to capture it closer                                 

                                                                                                                              

                                                                                

Drizzle weather

 The weather right now is foggy, its drizzling . The concurrent rains from last week had lead to drop in temperature with absence of sunlight it has been challenging to peep out in the Garden .

The wait for spring seems longer as weather forecast doesn't  augur to see weather condition improving till next fortnight. Meanwhile the dreariness in garden is broken off with the presence of  blooms of Tagetes lunulata .

                                          Tagetes (red marigold )

The consistent blooms on Coral Jasmine and Bauhinia Purpurea from last month is a candy for my eyes daily

                                                                                          

The last few days  for chrysanthemum blooms 

                                                               

It was pleasure to spot Rufous treepie frolicking around in my garden

                                           I spotted it first perching on my plumeria tree 

                                    It kept on flying and perching from one to another tree 

Finally it came close to pose for a macro shot 

                                                                      

Temperate December

 It was at the end of November month when the unprecedented chilly weather created a role for expectation of cold beginning of  December . It is the fortnight of December still the weather is warm which I guess  is in  consequence of  the climate change. 

Bauhinia Purpurea 

It is the season  for blooming period of  Purple Orchid Tree . They bloom in my region at the end of Autumn and blooms till the beginning of winter. 

                                                                              

                                                                   

Where the orchid like structure of flower is attracting , the mild fragrance of bauhinia is pleasing .

                                                                

Dombeya

The perennial shrub has   ball like blooms which are appealing and there long  blooming period can be enjoyed  for over  a month .

It is the first of blooms of marigold and chrysanthemums which marks the beginning of  cooler season . 

                                                                                             

Chrysanthemum

                                                          

                                                                                      

                                                         

From left top : Bottlebrush plant, Petunias, Hibiscus, Plumbago, Vinca)

                    FRom left top : Rose plant, Jatropha, Geranium, Gaillardia, Begonias, French marigold. )

Meanwhile a raft of American coots were spotted near the lakeside

                                                                   

Summer annuals for hanging basket

 Summer season is here . In this blistering weather there is limited scope for growing flowering annuals and there are only some of the hardy  flowering  annuals that can add beauty to the summer garden.

Growing annuals in hanging pots and baskets is a convenient form  of Gardening to grow plants in small spaces due to unavailability of space . Here are some of the summer annuals that can be grown in Hanging pots easily 

Portulaca

                                                              

Lantana

                                                                                

Gomphrena

                                                           

Zinnia

                                                            

Tagetes 

                                                                  

It is a good deed to keep a pot filled with water to feed birds and quench their thrust in the hot summer days

                                                     

                                                         Sparrow satiating thirst

               

It seems like monsoon is approaching within upcoming weeks 

Garden Affair : Edible Flowers

 Flowers are integral part of garden ,we can't imagine a Garden without the attractive blooms that make it lively and pleasing to eyes since without Flowers Garden would become dull and colorless. While it is also true that Flowers are a source of food for many insects , birds , animals and even Humans.

Here are some of the Flowers that I have personally used in one of the food recipes

                                                Marigold 

Marigold is one of the most popular flowers in the world .It has many medicinal properties and due to pungent taste used in various cuisines around the world .                        

Roses

                                Roses are lovely Flowers and have been popularly used in making 'GULKAND' a sweet sauce derived from mixing fresh rose petals and sugar in our region.

Pansy and Violas

Pansies are one of the most unique flowers in appearance and not many people know that they are edible and is being used in many cuisines around the world mainly for adding flavor in the desserts.

Nasturtium 

Nasturtium are one of the most prettiest climbing plant that grows in a vine like structure and forms a vine that reaches some foots . It is interesting to note that nasturtium flowers and leaves are popular edible plants and are used often in preparing salads.                                                 

Although there are many flowers that are considered as edible and have medicinal properties it should be noted that specific edible flowers should be consumed in small proportions only to save yourself from allergenic reactions from overconsumption. 

It is the time for link up  party Garden Affair which is related to Gardening and Nature   . This link up party invites everyone who want to share posts related to Gardening, Nature and birds .  

The link up party will remain open for a week starting from Saturday till next Saturday.                                               

                

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Marigold flower

 Marigold flower is most widely grown flower in our region .It has significant religious and medicinal value in our region . It is one of the most hardy and easy to grow drought tolerant annual which can be grown throughout the year in our climate.

                                                            AFRICAN MARIGOLD

Care and Flowering                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                               

Marigold Flowers are easy to grow from seeds and can also be propagated from stem cutting. A marigold plant bears its first bud within a period of 45 to 50 days from the day of sowing of seeds . They do not require much care and can withstand drought like situations for long and still bear blooms in profusion even without fertilizing .                                                                                                      

FRENCH MARIGOLD

Types of Marigold flowers                                                                                                                             

             African Marigolds 

African Marigold have giant blooms from color ranging from Golden,Yellow,White , Red ,Orange and many variations in these colors.                                                                                                        

                                                                    French Marigolds                                                                                         

Whereas French marigolds have smaller blooms in comparison to African Marigolds but  are more  bushier and gives out more blooms than African varieties.                                                                

Seeds Growing and Propagation from Cuttings

Marigold seeds are easy to collect from the dried flowers and even easier to germinate with high germination rate as compared with other hardy annuals.                                                                 

Harvesting of Marigold Flowers and Sun Requirements

 

Marigold Flowers grow very well in Full sun and will underperform in shaded or partial sun conditions 

How to know that Marigold flower is fully matured and ready to Harvest .

Marigold flower is ready to harvest when the center of the flower is visible and fully bloomed .

A close up of Indian Parrot

Clouds streaming like a river 

Summer blooms at 40c

This summer is quite uncertain compared to previous year in fact this year has been by far filled with uncertainty and ambiguity that will be staying for some time more in the latter part of this year.

While we are experiencing Hot summer days  in our region this time with unexpected western disturbances the usual  scorching heat waves are being subsided by the advent of showers periodically in every week.

It has helped a lot for flowers to appear in otherwise colorless summer garden.

                                                 Neon carnation bloom gave a comeback

Hibiscus flowers are enjoying change in weather

Firebush Flowers 

Solanum virginianum 

French Marigold

Rains bring Rain lily to bloom 

Portulaca is one of the most hardy flower in summer 

Peacock flower and Scarlet milkweed are constantly blooming from last month 

Plumeria blooms 

Jasmine blooms 

Zinnia in pots 

Some fresh harvest of tomatoes 

Meanwhile sky is looking cloudy again this weekend 

A sunbird spotted in the garden