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| (Top) A plant lover at her garden in Bhubaneswar and decorated plants in a house. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati |
Bhubaneswar, July 25: This monsoon, nature-lovers of the capital seem to have made a conscious effort to add a touch of greenery to this otherwise sprawling concrete jungle.
Whether it is in the nook and corner of by-lanes, balconies and terraces or plush gardens, an abundance of colourful, blooming sweet-smelling flora could be seen at many places.
The occasional bursts of monsoon are apt for the growth of an array of tropical plants, perfect for home décor. To boost the greenery, even nurseries in the city are glutted with monsoon plants (big and small) suited for homes.
“I have a knack for gardening and monsoon is the best season to grow vibrant flowers. Exotic lilies are found in abundance this season and I cover my lush garden with as many varieties and colours of the flower as possible,” said Susmita Sahoo, a homemaker and nature-lover.
A diverse range of seasonal flowers is available in the city. The red and yellow bi-coloured glory lily, crimson spider lilies or red surprise lilies, mauve and pink cosmos, milky white rain lilies, balsam or touch-me-not, fragrant jasmine, calendula, blue hydrangea are few of the varieties that ornament the gardens and terraces. Apart from these, many are opting for wild monsoon flowers to adorn their gardens.
These plants, which bloom in monsoon, are just about 3-4 cm in height and are available in small bunches that come for a minimum price of Rs 10. Be it in mud pots or in garden beds, these seasonal flowers can grow anywhere.
“Apart from the seasonal flowers, I also like to give a touch of wild plants to my garden. These beautiful wild flowers can flourish in any given atmosphere and soil and does not require human care for its maintenance,” said Nilanjan Paul, a corporate employee and nature lover.
What makes monsoon gardening even more tempting is its low-cost maintenance. The climate is ideal for the growth of a wide range of plants.
The plants can thrive on the sporadic showers and occasional pesticides are required to keep them insect-free. Probably, that is why the demand for exquisite seasonal flowers is suddenly on the rise.
“Usually it is during winter that we see a rush for seasonal plants. But this year, we are having a good sale even in the monsoon. But before choosing any flowers, it is always advised to make sure the soil type and garden layout suits the plant. Proper pruning of plants is also necessary for their growth,” said a salesman of nursery Nageshwari Udayan, Gopal.