My home computer died on me last weekend, hence my silence.
This post was inspired by Quay Po's flowers and Wendy's garden. It was supposed to be posted earlier but was delayed because I wanted to take a picture of the neighbourhood cat. That cat never showed up and my stake out is over. And that cat ain't got no respect for my garden and leaves smelly "stuff" on my lawn. I have a pet name for it too. Yes, I call it "Bloody Fool".
My garden is small and has been work-in-progress for the last 10 years. I enjoy and allow my plants to grow as freely as they do in the wild. A sort of controlled chaos, if I may. Manicured gardens are simply too clinical for me. However, as nature intended, chaos will be chaos, and after a time, my garden started to resemble a secondary jungle. It made for a good landmark though. Relatives giving directions to my home will tell you to drive straight after the junction and zero in on the mini jungle. Now, when your house becomes synonymous with jungle, you had better do something about it. I am more diligent these days and my relatives keep getting lost. Here's a sampling of the flora in my garden.
I have a small collection of flowers commonly known as Japanese Rose.
This is my multi-petal pink hibiscus.
This is the red variety.
Single petal.
The yellow multi petal hibiscus.
These herbs come in handy when I'm in the mood for kerabu.
Mint.
Vietnamese Basil.
Local Basil (Kemangi)
Gardening is a very good hobby, relaxing and rewarding. It really keeps me happy!
Oooo...what pretty flowers! My missus does all the planting...but that does not mean she will do the rest - weeding, watering, trimming and what not. Guess who would have to do that. Nice to plant those herbs in pots, can control... Keep telling my missus that but she would not listen. :(
ReplyDeleteThe weeding is the worst part. Weeds grow like crazy everytime, they just won't die and go away! Your missus is stubborn, eh? Hah! Hah! Some plants grow better on the ground.
DeleteGood to wakes up in the morning and looking at the flowers and green isn't it? Unfortunately I don't have green hands especially those needs TLC types. But I'm good with mint! Ha, that is growing with less care!!
ReplyDeleteMel, if you can grow mint I am sure you can grow other plants too. I agree that some plants very manja. They are beautiful but die very easily. You like Petunias? I have seen people planting on hanging pots and they look so pretty but must take care or else they will just die. That one I gave up already :)
DeleteLove those flowers
ReplyDeletehttp://www.followfoodiee.com/
Thank you!
DeleteHi Phong Hong, you are lucky to have space enough to made it into a mini jungle, for me no way, limited space enough only for humans. I know how it feels when you see flowers blooming in the garden. I usually take some snapshots whenever my plants are flowering and use them as wall paper pictures for my PC and HP. I like your flowers and herbs, you are fortunate I'm not your neighbour otherwise you know what will happen to them... Hahaha.
ReplyDeleteKimmy, very funny. You made me laugh :D If you were my neighbour, I would be more than happy to share the flowers and herbs with you (in exchange for your souffle cake, hah! hah!).
DeletePhong Hong, you have so many beautiful flowers in your garden. I don't mind a mini jungle filled with color and pretty flowers. At least I know I won't get lost! hahaha
ReplyDeleteThanks, Quay Po. Hah! Hah! Then there'll be Tarzan swinging by. Japanese Rose are so easy to plant and maintain. Am adding some more plants to my jungle.
DeletePH, looks like we have some common interest....
ReplyDeleteI have a mini garden but I'm sure it is much smaller than yours... I live in a highrise building and green space is limited to my balcony, mainly herbs for my cooking. Would love to see more of your garden!
That's great! I forgot to take a picture of my rosemary. There will be a future post on my garden as I am planting some more plants and herbs.
DeleteWow! another blogger with green fingers! Wish I can plant such beautiful flowers and herbs too! Sadly all my plants never last long!
ReplyDeleteJeannie, try Japanese Rose. Just plant the cuttings in a pot, water it and they will grow very easily. They don't need any looking after. I consider it a lazy gardener's best friend!
DeleteMy garden is full of flowers because I do love them a lot. The flowers you'd shared to us are really pretty and nice as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and thanks for dropping by! I have seen photos of flowers in Australia and NZ and they are glorious. I love roses but they always die on me and I have since given up :(
DeleteLovely pics. I have a couple of flowers and herbs, too. Both relaxing and great to use in the kitchen. I use some petals when I'm plating more special dishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Alex! I have always been intrigued by the use of petals in salads and such. Never tried it as I don't have those edible types in my garden.
DeletePhong Hong, I forgot, please email me your address. quaypocooks@gmail.com. I want to mail you the Zespri kiwi bookmark. Thanks
ReplyDeleteOk, will do pronto!
DeleteLovely flowers you have got in your garden! I don't have a garden but a small area at the common corridor. My portulaca (you call it Japanese rose) just died on me :'(
ReplyDeleteHi there! I know of 2 reasons why Portulaca die (i) over watering and (ii) not enough sunlight. Just trim off the dead parts, water a little bit and put in a sunny area. You will be surprised that they will come back to life again.
DeleteHi PH, You have lovely flowers and herb plants in your garden! I love gardening too, have very limited space of gardening, mine are all in pots! I used to have different varieties of flowers but due to limited of space, I opt to plant more veggies instead. I really miss the flowers!
ReplyDeleteCats are a total pests, to me they are! Check out what they did to my plants when you have the time, link below. Now, they do not really bother me much, but they stinks! My other neighbours are complaining too, but then that's another story! Want to scare them away, check out my "gun"!
http://mypottedgarden.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-new-plans.html
And you might like to add some spring onion to your veggie gardening, if you are interested in the express way of harvesting, here's the link.
http://mypottedgarden.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-i-plant-sprouted-onions.html
Have fun and Happy Gardening!
Joyce, I had a good laugh reading your post and I do wish I had a "gun" too! The cats in my area are an arrogant lot. They will just sit in my garden and when I look at them, they just look back with that "What? What you looking?" kind of attitude. Have to really scare them before they run off. I have just planted spring onions and they are so skinny and sickly and I have learnt so much from you. Will give it another go. This weekend, if you see a lady choosing sprouted onions, that would be me too!
Deletehi phong hong, i hv minus zero knowledge about gardening but i do hv plants in my house, those that do not need my attention like pandan plant, calamansi lime plant, basil and a few more which are very independent plants..haha!dont pass me a spade, i dont know what to do with it but at least i know how to water the plants :)))
ReplyDeleteLena, at least you have some plants! My calamnsi lime plant is so kedekut, no fruits at all. Even with fertilizer it won't fruit :(
Deletelovely clicks. liked the mint specially
ReplyDeleteThanks, Swasthi. The mint is quite easy to plant.
DeleteOH, your flowers are so vibrant and beautiful! And your herbs are lush, too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lizzy! I am working on more flowers and herbs.
DeleteHi Phong Hong,
ReplyDeleteYour garden must be very pretty with all flowers and herbs. When we were living in Singapore, we didn't have much space to garden. All that we grow is just some money plants and pandan. Now, living in Melbourne, gardening is one of our favourite hobbies but sad that we cannot grow panadan here :(
Zoe
Hi Zoe! Actually my garden is not pretty yet, hence only close up shots of the plants. Hah! Hah! I still have to catch up with my weeding. It is endless! Glad that you enjoy gardening too.
DeleteOh,you have a good numbers of plants & herbs there! I'm lazy in gardening & if I want some herbs, i will turn to my mother-in-law.
ReplyDeleteMore convenient, hor? No need to jaga the herbs and sakit hati when they kena attack by garden pests.
DeleteI object to all the negative comments about cats. I happen to have one that's totally well behaved. Maybe they should have said "stray cats", now that's a totally different story. I also have a secondary jungle out here around my hovel. Lazy? Nah, I prefer to call it "bringing the jungle to the city". I wish the bugs would leave my plants alone, and I dislike using insecticides coz I'm afraid my cat will accidentally get sick from it.
ReplyDeleteLove the pics of all your lovely flowers and herbs.
Ping, I don't mean to say bad things about cats, I do like the well behaved ones. I'm just pissed at those that use my garden as their jamban ;) Hey, that's a neat way of putting it - bringing the jungle to the city. No insecticides for me too or else I will get sick from eating the herbs. I spray with diluted biodegradable detergent and it does help.
DeleteWhat a beautiful array of flowers you have in your garden. I will be the naughty one, if I was your neighbour. Happily snipping away those buds of course and taking snap shots of them along with my food. Hehehe...
ReplyDeleteJo, I wouldn't mind as long as you give me a treat every time you snip a bud!
DeleteHi Phong Hong, love all your beautiful flowers and herbs. Gardening is a good form of exercise and reduce stress too. I too love gardening but limited space cos staying in apartment.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I need it for my food presentation, I'll pluck whatever flowers that is in my mini garden. LOL
Have a nice week ahead.
Hi Amelia, yes I noticed your flowers in your photos. I should do the same thing too!
DeleteI like your pink hibiscus, I always confuse about basil, Thai , Vietnamese and local , all look the same for me, do you know how to differentiate them ? I am not sure the basil in my backyard datang dari mana?
ReplyDeleteHi Sonia, the Vietnamese basil flower is purple color. I think the Thai one is also same (maybe they are the same variety?). Local one the flower is green. Also you will notice that the Vietnamese one, the leaves are darker green compared to the local one. As for the Italian Basil, the leave shape is slightly different. Bigger and rounder. Also the smell of all three is different. Wah, myself like expert like that! Hee...hee...
Deleteso now i know the basil i planting is local one..Thanks for the information.
DeleteHi Phong Hong,
ReplyDeleteYou are a very humourous person who can write very well too. I think your jungle is pretty.
Thanks, Butterfingers! Glad I was able to amuse you :)
Delete